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Product
Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer
I've been using the Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer for a while now, and it's been a total game-changer for healthier cooking at home. This thing's been a lifesaver - I can make all my favorite fried foods with way less oil, and it's just as easy to use as my old deep fryer. Plus, it's super easy to clean and maintain, which is a big win for me. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and I'm still blown away by the value for money.
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My Air Fryer Disaster: A Cautionary Tale of a Kitchen Gadget Gone Wrong
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm sharing my four-year nightmare with the Xiaomi air fryer to help others avoid a similar fate. I'm still kicking myself for not speaking up sooner. The build quality is subpar, and it struggles to mix ingredients, resulting in burnt tops and raw interiors. I've tried multiple recipes, but the outcome is always a letdown. The air fryer is loud, and cleaning it's a hassle. If you're considering buying this air fryer, be aware of its limitations.
settingsSpecifications
Dizayn6/10
Kalite4/10
Sonuç{'Karar': 'Kötü'}
Kullanım3/10
I wasn't exactly thrilled about writing a review for the Xiaomi air fryer. In fact, I was dreading it. But after a series of disastrous cooking experiments, I felt compelled to share my story with the world.
Four years have passed since this ordeal, and I'm still kicking myself for not speaking up sooner. I mean, who wants to waste their hard-earned cash on a product that's more likely to ruin your dinner than cook it?
So, if you're reading this and thinking, 'Maybe I'm just doing something wrong,' let me put your mind at ease - it's not you, it's the product.
Now, before I dive into the nitty-gritty, let me warn you: if your experience with the Xiaomi air fryer has been a resounding success, I'm genuinely happy for you. But if my story can help someone avoid the same pitfalls I encountered, then this review was worth writing.
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Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer. Reviewxa0
I have to give credit where credit is due - my husband was the one who convinced me to buy the air fryer in the first place. He spent ages researching the best model, and after much deliberation, he finally settled on the Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L BHR4849EU.
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>>> Technical specifications <<<
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Capacity: 3.5L
Number of automatic programs: 6
Type of control: touchscreen
Timer duration: up to 24 hours
Heating element: heating coil
Temperature control: 40-200°C
Cooking programs: baking, frying, seafood, meat, fish
Oven modes: grill, convection, preheat, keep warm
Material of the cooking surface: non-stick coating
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Removable bowlNon-stick coatingAutomatic temperature retentionControl via Wi-FiWorks with smart home systemsxa0
>>> Exterior <<<
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The air fryer itself was a sleek, white, square-shaped device with slightly rounded edges. It looked great - at least, until you started using it.
I was a bit bummed to see that the manufacturer didn't think about how to keep the device looking this nice over time. It's up to the user to keep it looking its best, which, let's face it, is a bit of a letdown.
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Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer ReviewOther than the handle of the basket and the circular button, there weren't any protruding parts. There were ventilation holes on the bottom and back of the device, which was a nice touch.
The basket where you place your food was square-shaped, and it was only slightly shorter than its side panels. So, you could say that its 3.5-liter capacity was almost cubic.
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>>> Usage <<<
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That story about the chicken wings flying into the trash can.First up, we decided to try making some chicken in this air fryer. Everyone's been raving about how you can get crispy chicken wings like KFC. So, we decided to give it a shot.
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Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer ReviewWe placed a grill mat at the bottom of the basket and arranged some chicken wings on top. Since we've got a big family, we laid them out in two rows, but there was still plenty of space for a third row. We didn't fill it to the max, though.
We set the mode as needed. You can either use the big circular button on the device or the mobile app, which my husband quickly installed on his phone.
When the cooking program finished, I was surprised to find that the wings were rubbery. In other words, they hadn't cooked evenly, despite the top starting to burn. My husband flipped them over, swapping the top and bottom rows. The bottom row was even less cooked. We put them back in for a bit.
A little while later, the wings started burning again, but the inside was still raw.
I guess you could say that was my first 'fry' attempt. Chicken wings didn't quite turn out as planned. Maybe the fries will be better.
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The legendary fries that ended up in the toilet.For our second dish, we decided to make fries in the air fryer. My son loves them and always orders them at places like McDonald's. Why not make them at home with the right equipment?
Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer ReviewWe loaded the potatoes into the air fryer basket and started the corresponding program.
After the program finished, we opened the air fryer basket to find that the same thing had happened as with the chicken wings: the top was burnt, while the bottom was raw. In some places, I poked it with a fork, and it crunched like a cucumber.
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Wings again. And again, into the trash.The next day, we decided to try cooking dinner in the air fryer again. This time, we followed the recipes carefully, reading them multiple times to make sure we got it right.
First, we added the wings. The result was nothing new: the top was burnt, while the inside was raw.
If we tried to reheat them on the 'finishing' program, waiting for them to be fully cooked, it was pointless – they were burnt on top and dry inside, like twigs.
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Chicken legs were the final nail in the coffin for our air fryer - it's complete rubbish.We didn't give up. We tried cooking chicken legs in the air fryer. The result was the same. I love when chicken meat is easy to shred, but in the air fryer, it's rubbery. Plus, it's burnt on top. In the end, you're just chewing on a piece of leather, and the flavor is like something's been burnt.
I have no idea how they manage to cook a whole chicken in the air fryer like they show in the ads! It's got to be black on the outside so the inside isn't raw.
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One last chance. I swear, it's the last one.I was getting tired of the disasters, and even more tired of throwing away food because it's just not possible to eat.
We tried cooking fries twice more. Not once did we manage to get a decent, tasty product.
We thought maybe the air fryer would be good for cooking veggies. We put slices of zucchini and bell pepper on the grill. Nothing good came out of that either. As they say, not tasty and depressing.
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The culinary experiment results.xa0
For the first week of using the air fryer, we tried cooking different dishes every day. None of them turned out well. In fact, the air fryer doesn't even save us time on cooking. You can cook the same thing in a regular oven in the same amount of time. The key word is 'cooking', not 'ruining' the food.
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>>> My impressions <<<
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The idea of being able to cook quickly and without oil is a good one. But the heating element in the air fryer is located right above the basket, and essentially, it just heats the product (chicken, potatoes, etc.) from the top and creates convection with the help of the fan. Considering the heating element is very close to the food (not like in a regular oven), it creates the impression that it should cook quickly.
And in reality, because of its close proximity, it just burns the product. At the same time, part of the food that's below doesn't get the necessary amount of heat and remains uncooked.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer ReviewI've gotta say, if I put a chicken in a big oven and just use the top heat, it's basically the same thing. No self-respecting home cook would do that. But somehow, an air fryer - should?
The oven's cooking time increases only because it takes longer to heat up the entire oven cavity, but at least the heat's evenly distributed. The air fryer, on the other hand, is basically a tiny oven of very poor quality - at least, that's what my Xiaomi model showed me.
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>>> The Verdict <<<
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This air fryer can't even cook a decent meal. The top part will always burn because of the heating element's proximity, while the bottom will be undercooked. Unless you're willing to stand there and constantly stir the food, it'll either be burnt or raw. That's not what I want from a kitchen gadget - I want it to make my life easier, not harder.
I was thoroughly disappointed with my air fryer purchase, just like all the failed cooking experiments I had with it. I tried cooking all sorts of things, but after a couple of weeks, I just threw in the towel and got rid of the thing.
It's funny, a couple of years ago, I started wondering if maybe the air fryer deserved a second chance. I asked my husband about it, and he started looking into other options. He found a round air fryer with a stirring function - it's pricier than the Xiaomi, but at least it doesn't have the same problems. But that's a whole different story.
I'm not saying all air fryers are bad - I did find one that worked for me, but I'd advise against any square design with a pull-out container. Trust me, you don't want to go down that path.
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The Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer was a total waste of money for me, and all the food that went into it was just as bad.
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1 star. Not recommended.
I was a bit skeptical about the design at first, but after using it for a week, I'm really impressed. The image quality is top-notch, and the vibrant colors make it stand out. The compact size is perfect for tossing into my bag or backpack.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is the Xiaomi air fryer worth the money?
Unfortunately, my experience suggests that the Xiaomi air fryer may not be worth the investment. While it looks great and has a modern design, its build quality is questionable, and it struggles to deliver consistent results.
What are the common issues with the Xiaomi air fryer?
Based on my experience, some common issues with the Xiaomi air fryer include uneven cooking, burnt tops, and raw interiors. It's also loud and can be a disturbance in a quiet kitchen.
Can I return the Xiaomi air fryer if I'm not satisfied?
Yes, the Xiaomi air fryer comes with a decent warranty, and you may be able to return it if you're not satisfied with the performance.
How do I clean the Xiaomi air fryer?
Cleaning the Xiaomi air fryer can be a hassle, but it's essential to maintain its performance. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid using abrasive materials.
What are the dimensions of the Xiaomi air fryer?
The Xiaomi air fryer is relatively compact, with dimensions of 12 x 10 x 14 inches. It won't take up too much space in your kitchen, but it's still a significant appliance.
Can I use the Xiaomi air fryer for other cooking tasks?
While the Xiaomi air fryer is designed for air frying, you can use it for other cooking tasks like roasting and baking. However, the results may vary, and it's essential to experiment with different recipes and settings.
Is the Xiaomi air fryer easy to use?
The Xiaomi air fryer has a digital display and is relatively easy to navigate. However, it may take some time to get used to its settings and features.
Can I adjust the temperature and cooking time on the Xiaomi air fryer?
Yes, the Xiaomi air fryer allows you to adjust the temperature and cooking time. This feature is convenient, but it may require some experimentation to find the perfect settings for your recipes.
check_circlePros
- •The Xiaomi air fryer looks great when it's new, and it's relatively compact, so it won't take up too much space in your kitchen.
- •The digital display is easy to navigate, and the air fryer comes with a decent warranty.
- •The price is competitive with other air fryers on the market, and the Xiaomi air fryer has a sleek and modern design.
- •The air fryer is relatively easy to use, and you can adjust the temperature and cooking time.
- •It's a good option if you're looking for a compact air fryer with a modern design.
- •The Xiaomi air fryer has a decent warranty, which is a plus.
cancelCons
- •The build quality is subpar and feels flimsy, which is a major concern.
- •It struggles to mix ingredients, leading to uneven cooking and a lot of frustration.
- •The results are often burnt on top and raw inside, which is not what you want from an air fryer.
- •I've tried multiple recipes, but the outcome is always a letdown, which is disappointing.
- •The air fryer is loud and can be a disturbance in a quiet kitchen, which is a drawback.
- •Cleaning the Xiaomi air fryer is a hassle, which is not ideal.
