Smeg launches AFC01, its first standalone air fryer, with steam mode and seven presets
Smeg has released the AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer, its first standalone air fryer, priced at £199.95 direct from the company, with seven cooking presets and an optional steam mode for keeping fish and chicken moist.
The AFC01 departs from the drawer-style format used by most air fryers. It has a square, boxy body with a matte finish and a lift-out cooking basket, leaving the exterior free of handles. The lid flips open for access to the basket, and the upper section of the appliance is translucent, so cooking progress can be checked under an internal light. A touch-sensitive control panel replaces physical dials and buttons.
Seven cooking presets are offered across two modes. The Crispy mode works like a conventional air fryer and is intended for foods such as chips. The Juicy+Crispy mode introduces steam to keep foods including fish and chicken moist inside; users pour cold water into a reservoir on top of the fryer, and the water is released as fine droplets during cooking to stop the food drying out. The basket lifts out entirely and can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
The AFC01 is not Smeg's first cooking appliance of this type. In February this year the brand released the MOC02, a microwave and air fryer combination that also works as a fan oven and grill and can switch modes in sequence for multi-stage cooking, a setup suited to dishes that need crisping or browning after the main cooking stage. The AFC01 follows the same design language, with straight edges and rounded corners, and comes in the same four matte colours: Black, Storm Blue, Emerald Green and White. It is available now from Smeg.
TechRadar, which reported the launch, said it hoped to test the AFC01 soon to see whether it can earn a place in its roundup of the best air fryers. The publication's Homes Editor covers smart home technology, kitchen appliances, vacuums and haircare, and has worked as a tech journalist for 15 years.