Non-Toxic Air Fryer: A Review of the Cosori Iconic

Comprehensive Overview of the Cosori Iconic Air Fryer

What makes the Cosori Iconic air fryer truly stand out? It’s not just the appealing $249 price tag; it’s the combination of a sleek stainless steel exterior, a wide range of cooking functions, and impressive smart capabilities that elevate its status, making it one of the best basket air fryers available today. After spending several months rigorously testing this appliance, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny spent. The quality and versatility of this air fryer make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.

Unlike many other air fryers on the market, the Iconic avoids plastic components that might release microplastics when heated to high temperatures. Furthermore, its basket and cooking surfaces are free from harmful forever chemicals like PFAS, including PTFE, also known as Teflon. Given my meticulous attention to kitchenware safety, especially concerning my pets — Teflon poses serious risks for birds like my parrot — I am more than comfortable utilizing the Iconic for daily cooking without concerns about harmful emissions.

Premium Design and Construction Features

The Cosori Iconic air fryer distinguishes itself from various other models, which often feature a stainless steel finish over a black plastic body. In contrast, the Iconic boasts a robust and upscale design that is composed almost entirely of stainless steel both inside and out. The only exception is its basket handle, which is made from plastic to ensure safe handling without burning your hand. Notably, when operating at higher settings for extended periods, much of its exterior can become quite hot to the touch, emphasizing the quality of its construction.

There’s no plastic in here.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Other components of the Iconic that are not stainless steel include its basket interior and the metal crisper plate, both of which feature a ceramic nonstick coating. According to chemical disclosures from VeSync, the parent company of Cosori, there is absolutely no Teflon present in the materials used. This is a significant advantage, especially when compared to Cosori’s popular $119.99 TurboBlaze air fryer, which does contain Teflon. During my testing, I was pleased to report that there were no unpleasant synthetic odors emanating from the Iconic while it was in operation, further attesting to its quality.

The Iconic has a tempered glass control panel.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

In addition to promoting cleaner cooking, the Iconic’s predominantly stainless construction significantly enhances its aesthetic appeal. The luxurious finish complements other stainless steel appliances in my kitchen effortlessly. To my surprise, it doesn’t attract fingerprints easily, which is a welcome relief compared to my stainless Samsung fridge that seems to collect smudges. Any crumbs or food residues on its surface can be effortlessly wiped away with a dishcloth or a damp paper towel, ensuring it maintains a polished look.

The Iconic’s basket and crisper plate are also easy to clean between cooking sessions, and for a deep clean at the end of a meal, you can conveniently place them in the dishwasher.

The Iconic STUNS in stainless steel.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I typically avoid countertop clutter, yet the Iconic’s sleek design makes it an exception I can accept. However, due to its size, it won’t fit in my cabinets, so it remains on display. Weighing just over 14 pounds and standing approximately a foot tall, its footprint measures around 15 by 12 inches, making it a bit bulky for some kitchen layouts.

Versatile Cooking Modes for Delicious Meals

My Iconic creations.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Located on the top of the Iconic air fryer, you will find a glass touch control panel that features six distinct cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dry, Proof, and Reheat. Each cooking function comes with its own specific temperature and time presets, ranging from 90 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and cooking durations from one minute up to 24 hours. Furthermore, each function has designated fan speeds; the Dry and Proof functions operate almost silently, while the Air Fry and Roast functions produce more noise. However, they remain significantly quieter than my hair dryer, the Shark FlexStyle.

If you require a prompt to remind you to shake your food, you can simply press the separate Shake button that causes the Iconic to beep a few times halfway through the Air Fry cycle. It is important to note that this feature is exclusively available for the Air Fry mode.

Throughout my testing of the Iconic’s cooking functions, I found them to be exceedingly effective. The Air Fry function produced a perfectly charred, juicy cheeseburger alongside crispy fries without the need for any oil. The Roast function skillfully caramelized a medley of broccoli and red onions without burning them, showcasing the appliance’s versatility. I used the Bake function to create crusty yet fluffy brownies, and the Dry function successfully dehydrated Honeycrisp apples and bell peppers, providing tasty snacks for my parrot. The Reheat function excelled at warming up leftovers without making them soggy, effectively rendering my microwave obsolete.

Sometimes you don’t want to fire up the grill for a single burger. I literally get it.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

See also  Feds Sue Adobe for 'Trapping' Customers in Long, Expensive Subscriptions

In an impressive feat, I even managed to bake whole wheat sourdough in the Iconic air fryer. The dough developed an unsightly crust on the surface after proofing for two hours, but it disappeared during the shaping and baking process, resulting in a delightful loaf of moist, edible sandwich bread.

While ninety degrees is technically too hot for proofing sourdough, or really any kind of dough, this little loaf turned out fine. (Ugly and a bit over-proofed, but fine.)
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Iconic features a spacious 6.5-quart basket, making it an ideal size for small households. I was pleased to discover that it comfortably accommodated an entire bag of fries, four individual brownies baked in ramekins, and multiple slices of a large apple arranged in a single layer.

The Iconic is parrot-approved.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Innovative Smart Features for Modern Cooking

The Iconic incorporates smart controls through the VeSync mobile app, provided that it is connected to WiFi, adding a layer of convenience to your cooking experience. While the smart features feel about 70 percent useful, they certainly enhance the overall usability of the device.

With the Cooking Functions feature of the app, you can select various settings from your phone and send them directly to the Iconic; these settings appear on the control panel in mere seconds. Although you cannot start the cooking process remotely — a safety precaution — the app does display a timer once the cooking cycle commences and notifies you when your meal is ready.

The app will show you how much cook time is left.
Credit: Screenshots via VeSync

If you’re uncertain about how to cook a specific food item, the app features a Cooking Chart that can suggest appropriate settings based on the serving size and “status” of the food (e.g., whether vegetables are chopped or if meat is bone-in).

Get a little extra help from the app’s Cooking Chart.
Credit: Screenshots via VeSync

Hypothetically, you can also retrieve settings by scanning bar codes on food packaging through the VeSync app; however, this feature did not work effectively with most items I tested, including Purdue popcorn chicken and various Trader Joe’s snacks such as hash brown patties, falafel, breaded fish filets, and mozzarella sticks. My luck improved with some frozen garlic breadsticks, which came out perfectly when air fried according to the app’s suggested settings, achieving a golden brown exterior while remaining soft inside.

Success.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The VeSync app also includes a History feature that keeps track of your previous cooking cycles, allowing you to easily reuse settings. Additionally, there is an Achievements feature that provides a weekly recap of your meals and any badges earned for regularly cooking specific foods. While this gamified approach to cooking might not appeal to everyone, it adds an interesting layer to the cooking experience.

For those seeking culinary inspiration, the app contains a library of healthy air fryer recipes under a dedicated Diet tab, enabling you to add your personal recipes and generate ingredient shopping lists.

Alternative Air Fryer Options to Consider

When considering non-toxic, plastic-free air fryer alternatives, options such as the Ninja Crispi ($179.99), Our Place Wonder Oven ($185 to $245 depending on size), and Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer ($349.99) are available. Although the Iconic is positioned in the mid-range price bracket, it offers the best warranty with a five-year coverage, compared to the one-year warranty provided by most competitors.

As a point of reference, I also own and appreciate the Ninja Crispi. It is compact and features glass baskets that double as storage containers for leftovers. However, it has limited settings and cannot accommodate full bags of fries. The newer Ninja Crispi Pro boasts more settings, a larger temperature range, and a bigger basket than the original model but is priced at $299.99. It is worth noting that neither model supports smart controls.

Cosori versus Crispi.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Both the Our Place and Breville models are oven-style air fryers that allow you to cook multiple trays of food simultaneously, offering great convenience. However, the Wonder Oven lacks a companion app and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer comes with a high price tag, and its pizza pan features a Teflon coating.

If you prefer traditional basket-style air fryers that incorporate smart features and recipe guidance, and if you frequently cater to at least two people, you will likely find the Iconic to be the best choice compared to its competitors.