Refrigerators generally aren’t appliances that need to be replaced regularly. A high-quality fridge can have quite a long lifespan, and the best way to maximize that is to take care of it properly. The basics, such as cleaning the interior, being mindful of the temperature dial, and not leaving the door open for long periods, are pretty obvious, but there’s more that you can do. One essential maintenance step is cleaning the condenser coils — the elements responsible for dispensing heat pulled from the fridge — regularly, usually once or twice a year. Those with particularly dusty homes, or who own pets, may even want to clean them more frequently.
Fortunately, cleaning condenser coils is a reasonably easy task. Once you’ve located the coils, unplug the unit and move it so you can reach them. From here, use a screwdriver to remove any coverings. This will give you full access to the coils, and you can use a vacuum to suck away all the accumulated dust and debris. A hand brush can also be handy to loosen any stuck-on debris. Once the coils are as clean as you can get them, put the covers back on, plug the fridge back in, and slide it back into place.
As you can see, there’s really not a lot to cleaning your fridge’s condenser coils. That’s all the more reason to keep up with it, especially since failing to do so could lead to big problems.
The importance of condenser coil cleaning
No matter which of the major refrigerator brands you go with, or the state of your home, there are several good reasons to keep your fridge’s condenser coils clean. Condenser coils are essential for drawing heat from the fridge, keeping the inside nice and cool. Excess debris makes the coils less effective at their job, meaning the condenser has to work harder to draw the warm air out. This may shorten the condenser’s lifespan, leading to costly repairs sooner.
Dirty condenser coils can also lead to higher energy bills over time. Less-efficient cooling means the fridge has to work harder to reach the desired temperature, increasing energy use. This could be particularly noticeable in the summer months, as higher temperatures will already have your fridge working overtime to stay cool. There’s no need to risk failure by forcing a fridge to work harder than it already is during periods of high heat.
A fridge’s condenser coils are often out of sight — and out of mind. But being aware of the coils’ importance and cleaning them consistently is crucial to keeping a fridge operating at its best for as long as possible.
Once you use it enough, your air fryer blossoms into the gadget the rest of your kitchen revolves around.
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I didn’t set out to stop using my oven. It happened gradually, one food at a time, as the air fryer turned out better results with less effort and I stopped seeing a reason to go back. The oven still gets used — for things that genuinely need it, which turns out to be fewer things than I expected. Nine foods in particular made the shift feel permanent. These are the ones that convinced me the air fryer wasn’t a supplementary appliance but a replacement for most of what the oven used to do in my kitchen every week.
When I first hauled in an air fryer many years ago, I was mostly making the classics: wings and fries. However, my air fryer repertoire has expanded to include items I never thought I’d be cooking in a small countertop contraption. I’m talking about fresh salmon, cheeseburgers and even whole roasted chicken.
The air fryer is fast, forgiving, easy to use and even easier to clean. It’s no wonder the appliance has enjoyed unparalleled popularity over the last decade — a true once-in-a-lifetime kitchen craze.
So what are the most surprising foods I make in the air fryer? I’ve listed nine below, but the list grows longer every year. And if you’re searching for an air fryer or to upgrade your existing oven, we have a new favorite model with a glass cooking chamber that’s easy to clean and doubles as a food storage container.
9 foods I’ll only make in the air fryer from now on
1. Hard-‘boiled’ eggs
All you need is 10 minutes and an air fryer and you’ll never boil an egg again.
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From runny yolks to jammy to hard-cooked, the air fryer can do it, and there’s no waiting for water to boil or forgetting to set a timer (air fryers have a built-in timer). There’s a lot of internet voodoo about dos and don’ts for boiling eggs in the air fryer, but in my experience, you can disregard most of it and still end up with beautifully cooked eggs with perfectly set yolks every time.
Just 8 minutes in the air fryer and you have perfectly medium rare salmon.
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Broiled salmon is a simple, healthy weeknight dinner staple. It’s not difficult to make in the oven, but if you’re only cooking for one or two people, the preheating time is a pain, and you’ll waste a lot of energy for a small amount of food. Pan-seared salmon is excellent and quick, but there’s almost no way to cook salmon on the stove without creating an oily and odorous mess.
I tried cooking roasted salmon in the air fryer, and it came out perfectly in about 10 minutes, including preheating time. The closed cooking chamber captures all the grease and even helps hide some of the fishy smell from taking over the space.
OK, so you might catch me throwing the occasional filet of salmon on the grill during warmer months, but gone are the days of me wiping fish grease from the backsplash behind my kitchen stove.
This one surprised me the most because I make roast chicken most Sundays and had grown content with my oven method. I learned quickly that the air fryer does an even better job because it crisps the skin quickly without overcooking the meat. Air-fryer roasted chicken takes about 45 minutes — about 15% quicker than the oven — and it’s nearly impossible to screw up.
You can cook a burger to perfect medium or medium rare with an air fryer.
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Air fryer cheeseburgers have become a staple around my home. The exception is during summer when the grill is in full swing but during cooler months, I turn to the air fryer for this American classic. It’s cleaner than pan frying, but the burger doesn’t cook in its own grease, so you get a lighter, healthier meal (if you’re into that sort of thing). You can also add the bun and a couple of slices of bacon to the burger, making it a complete meal with minimal cleanup.
Air fryers turn out picture-perfect chicken cutlets.
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Before the air fryer, I used to pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets for chicken Parmesan and other recipes but the air fryer does the same job with less mess and produces less oily fried chicken, too.
I recommend using boneless chicken thighs, which have enough fat to withstand convection heat without drying out. Simply coat the chicken in a beaten egg wash, followed by breadcrumbs mixed with salt, pepper, and other spices. Cook at 375°F for about 15 minutes.
You can spray the cutlets lightly with oil before cooking to achieve an extra-crispy crust, but it’s not necessary. I’ve tried the same method with chicken breasts; it works well, but there is a greater risk of drying out the meat.
Best Places to Buy Chicken Online
6. Cauliflower steak
Cauliflower steak made in the air fryer has become a staple side dish in my kitchen.
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One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is cauliflower. A cauliflower slab makes an excellent, hearty side dish or main course if you’re going plant-based. Simply toss a thick slice or two of cauliflower with olive oil, salt, pepper, or your preferred seasoning, then air-fry at high heat for 10-12 minutes. The air fryer gives it a beautiful caramelized crust and it cooks the dense veggie fast enough so that the inside of the cauliflower doesn’t become mushy.
7. Leftover pizza
This leftover pizza got a whole new life thanks to a short trip to the air fryer.
David Watsky/CNET
While not every type of food is best reheated in the air fryer, many are. Air fryers are the perfect way to revive leftover pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats and vegetables. A microwave heats food unevenly and tends to impart a rubbery texture. Air fryers give food a second life with convection heat, delivering a crispy crust and even heating.
You can cook an entire package of hot dogs in just a few minutes.
David Watsky/CNET
It’s hard to screw up a hot dog but if you want a perfectly charred wiener in less than five minutes with essentially no cleanup, look to the air fryer. Air fryer hot dogs are as simple as they get, and the super convection oven gives them perfect browning in two or three minutes.
Air fryer baked potatoes have crispy skin and are light and fluffy inside.
Brian Bennett/CNET
OK, so technically, this one starts in the microwave and finishes in the air fryer. The microwave softens the inside in less than 8 minutes, while the air fryer blasts the edges and skin to crispy perfection. It’s a restaurant-quality baked potato in less than 12 minutes. Here’s how to make the best air-fryer baked potato ever.
This air fryer grilled cheese is as good as it looks.
Pamela Vachon/CNET
For a grilled cheese, the air fryer cooks both the bread surfaces and the cheese at once, resulting in a quicker melt. This adheres the cheese to the bread slices together, making for a much easier flip. (Flipping is still recommended but with far less drama.)
Here’s the secret to perfect air fryer grilled cheese.The air fryer’s ability to crisp, roast and even boil makes it the most versatile appliance on my counter.
David Watsky
Managing Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he’s spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.
David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.
Right now he’s likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
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