I used to dread cooking dinner on weeknights. My small kitchen, with its less-than-stellar ventilation, would quickly fill with the smell of sizzling oil and steam, odors that would linger for hours. The cleanup was even worse, with greasy pans and splattered stovetops. I wanted to enjoy my favorite comfort foods like chicken wings and fries, but the hassle and the unhealthy aspects of deep-frying made it a rare occasion, leaving me searching for a better way.
An air fryer is a countertop convection oven designed to simulate deep frying without submerging the food in oil. It circulates hot air at high speed, producing a crisp layer that rivals traditional frying while using a fraction of the fat. This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to make healthier lifestyle choices without sacrificing flavor and texture. The ideal customer for an air fryer is a health-conscious individual, a busy professional, a couple, or a small family seeking quick, easy, and less messy meal solutions. It’s a perfect fit for those living in apartments or homes with limited kitchen space.
However, an air fryer isn’t for everyone. If you have a large family and regularly cook in big batches, a standard-sized model like a 3.7-quart will likely be too small, leading to the frustration of cooking multiple rounds. In that case, a larger capacity air fryer or a convection oven might be a better investment. Before you buy, consider these key factors: capacity (how many people you’re cooking for), physical footprint (do you have the counter space?), features (do you prefer simple dials or digital presets?), and ease of cleaning (are the components dishwasher safe?).
- This air fryer lets you cook your favorite foods with little to no oil. Thanks to rapid air technology there is no need to add oil to...
- Comes with presets to make cooking easier. There are a total of 8 presets featuring: Warm, fries/chips, chicken, steak, shrimp, pork,...
Presenting the GoWISE USA GW22638 Air Fryer
The GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air Fryer is a sleek, modern appliance that promises to deliver your favorite fried foods in a healthier, faster, and more convenient way. It utilizes rapid air technology to cook everything from fries to steak with little to no oil. Out of the box, you get the main unit, a non-stick detachable basket, and a handy recipe book filled with 50 ideas to get you started. This specific model is perfect for singles, couples, or small families of up to three people. Its intuitive digital interface makes it especially welcoming for beginners. However, its 3.7-quart capacity means it’s not the best choice for those who need to feed a crowd.
Pros:
* Intuitive digital controls with 8 cooking presets.
* Compact design is great for smaller kitchens.
* Promotes healthier eating by drastically reducing oil usage.
* Cooks food quickly and efficiently.
* Easy to clean non-stick basket.
Cons:
* The basket handle has a critical design flaw that can be a safety hazard.
* The operational beeps are frequent and quite loud.
* The non-stick coating requires careful handling to prevent scratching.
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- AIR CRISP TECHNOLOGY: 400℉ superheated air surrounds food for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
- CAPACITY: 3-quart air fryer perfect for cooking meals for 2-4 people, featuring an elegant ROSE finish.
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After using this air fryer for several years, it has become one of the most-used appliances in my kitchen. It has fundamentally changed how I approach weeknight cooking, turning it from a chore into a quick and enjoyable process. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the features that make it stand out, as well as the quirks I’ve learned to live with.
Rapid Air Technology and Cooking Excellence
The core of any air fryer is its ability to cook food to crispy perfection, and this is where the GoWISE USA model truly shines. The magic is in its Rapid Air Technology. A powerful heating element and a fan work together to circulate superheated air all around the food in the basket. This intense, moving heat cooks the food quickly and creates that coveted crispy, golden-brown exterior, while the inside remains moist and tender.
I’ve thrown everything at this machine. Frozen French fries come out tasting like they’re fresh from a restaurant fryer in about 15 minutes, with no greasy residue. Chicken wings are a revelation; the skin becomes incredibly crisp while the meat stays juicy, all without a single drop of added oil. I’ve even cooked steaks in it, and they develop a beautiful sear. One of its most underrated uses is reheating leftovers. A slice of pizza, which would turn soggy in a microwave, comes back to life in the air fryer in three minutes with a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. This programmable air fryer has consistently delivered excellent results across a wide variety of foods.
Intuitive Digital Touchscreen and 8 Presets
For someone who might be intimidated by a new kitchen gadget, the user interface is refreshingly simple. The bright, responsive digital touchscreen is easy to read and navigate. The main draw is the set of eight built-in cooking presets: Warm, Fries/Chips, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Pork, Cake, and Fish. These presets automatically select a recommended temperature and time, taking the guesswork out of cooking. When I first got the machine, I relied on these heavily, and they provided a fantastic starting point.
As I’ve become more experienced, I’ve come to appreciate the full manual control. You can easily adjust the temperature anywhere from 170°F to 400°F and set the timer for up to 30 minutes. This flexibility is perfect for fine-tuning the presets to your liking or for following recipes you find online. The combination of easy presets and full manual control makes this appliance versatile for both beginners and more experienced cooks.
Design, Capacity, and Footprint
Living in a place with limited counter space, the size of an appliance is a major consideration. The GoWISE USA GW22638 has a compact and modern design that doesn’t feel bulky or out of place. Its 3.7-quart capacity is the sweet spot for my household of two. It can comfortably fit a pound of chicken wings, two large chicken breasts, or enough fries for two to three people. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket to ensure the hot air can circulate properly, so for a family of four or more, you would definitely need a larger model. The sleek black finish is also a nice touch, giving it a premium look that blends in well with other kitchen appliances.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the biggest benefits of air frying is the minimal cleanup, and this model is no exception. The food basket and the outer drawer are both coated with a non-stick material, so food rarely sticks. For most meals, a quick rinse with hot, soapy water and a gentle wipe with a soft sponge is all it takes. For anything messier, like saucy wings, a short soak loosens any residue right up. The manufacturer states the basket is dishwasher safe, but I’ve found handwashing to be the better option. To put the basket in the dishwasher safely, you’d need to use a screwdriver to remove the plastic handle cover, which is simply not practical for daily use. Handwashing is quick and also helps preserve the longevity of the non-stick coating.
The Major Drawback: A Critical Design Flaw
No product is perfect, and this particular air fryer has one significant flaw that every potential buyer needs to be aware of: the basket design. The handle is attached directly to the inner, perforated basket. This inner basket sits inside a solid outer drawer that catches drips and oil. A small, clear plastic latch is what secures the inner basket to the outer one. The problem is that this latch can release unexpectedly, especially when the basket is full and heavy with hot food. If you pull the drawer out by the handle and the latch fails, the hot, heavy outer drawer can drop to the floor, spilling grease and potentially causing serious burns or a mess. After learning this the hard way (luckily with no injuries), I adopted a new, safer method: always use two hands. I pull the drawer out with the handle while simultaneously supporting the bottom of the outer drawer with my other hand, usually protected by an oven mitt. It’s a crucial safety step that mitigates the risk of this design flaw.
What Other Users Are Saying
After scouring the internet for other long-term reviews, it’s clear my experience aligns with many others. The vast majority of users are thrilled with the performance of the GoWISE USA air fryer, frequently praising how it has made cooking healthier and more convenient. Many echo my sentiments about its perfect size for smaller households and its ability to produce delicious food without the associated smell and mess. However, I’m not alone in my criticisms. The same two issues appear repeatedly: the surprisingly loud and persistent beeping, and more importantly, the hazardous basket handle design, with many users sharing the same advice to always use two hands for safety.
The Final Verdict: A Powerful Tool with a Caveat
The daily challenge of making healthy, delicious, and quick meals without a huge mess is a real one. The GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Air Fryer presents itself as a powerful solution to this problem, and for the most part, it succeeds brilliantly. It consistently delivers crispy, flavorful food with a fraction of the oil, its presets make it incredibly easy to use, and its compact size is a blessing for modern kitchens. While the loud beeping is a minor annoyance, the basket handle design is a significant safety flaw that requires constant caution. Despite this, its outstanding cooking performance and excellent value make it a product I still highly recommend, as long as you handle it with care.
If you’re ready to embrace a faster, healthier, and cleaner way of cooking, this appliance is a fantastic entry point. Click here to check the latest price and get yours today!
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API