The Dash Compact Air Fryer is the most affordable air fryer in our ratings. Cooking fried foods like chicken wings and french fries is possible with this small air fryer. It is the lightest unit in our rankings thanks to its 5.7 pound weight. It won’t take up much room on your countertop because of its small size.
It is also the most energy-efficient air fryer we looked at, requiring only 1,000 watts to operate.
Of course, you can only expect a small unit to handle a certain amount of your cooking needs. Its food capacity of 2 quarts is equal to that of the smallest air fryer in our rankings. The device lacks presets and functionality. Only a crisper plate and an air fryer basket are included with the Dash Compact Air Fryer.
This model features an auto-shut function that keeps your food from overcooking and “cool touch housing” to make the air fryer easier to handle. It comes with a one-year warranty that, if you sign up for Dash’s Feel Good Rewards program, can be extended to two years.
For more specific information about Dash Compact Air Fryer Review, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Guide Verdict
The best air fryer for small households is the Dash Compact Air Fryer. It still puts out good performance despite its small size.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Compact size
- Baskets are dishwasher safe
- Available in a range of colors
- Great for chicken wings
Cons
- Can’t fit a whole chicken
- Hot exterior
What Is The Dash Compact Air Fryer?
The Dash Compact Air Fryer is tied for No. 11 in our The top air fryers of 2022. Given that it is the most reasonably priced air fryer in our evaluation, it is a good option for those on a tight budget. Additionally, it uses the least amount of energy. However, given its limited 2-quart capacity, it might not be ideal for families.
How Does The Dash Compact Air Fryer Operate?
The Dash Compact Air Fryer uses AirCrisp technology to circulate hot air around the food, simulating deep-frying while consuming 75% less added fat. It has a shut-off function that guards against overcooking food as well as temperature control.
According to Dash, the appliance is perfect for preparing meals for one to two people. It has a capacity of about a pound of potatoes or twelve chicken wings.
It is best to preheat the air fryer before cooking your food. Your food will cook more quickly as a result. It can occasionally be beneficial to shake the contents of the basket halfway through cooking to ensure that your food cooks evenly.
Instead of turning over the crisper drawer after your food has finished cooking, it is preferable to remove it with tongs because hot oil might still be present there.
Design Of Dash Compact Air Fryer
The Dash Compact Air Fryer is true to its name, measuring 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches and weighing only 5.7 pounds, which is about half that of a typical air fryer. The appliance has a 2-quart fry basket, which is quite small compared to the 3.5-quart baskets you’d find in standard air fryers. As it can only hold about half a bag of frozen french fries or six chicken wings, the tiny appliance is best used to feed one or two people.
One of the five available colors, along with black, white, red, and gray, the aqua option of the Dash Compact has a sleek, oblong design that has a retro 80s vibe. Gray is a great neutral color that complements most kitchen designs, so that’s the color we decided to go with.
You will have to experiment to find the best cooking methods since there are no pre-programmed options.
You can manually adjust the cooking time (from 0 to 30 minutes) using the turn knob located on the front of the air fryer. No matter what body color you choose, the frying basket’s handle is front and center and silver. Another manual knob for adjusting the cooking temperature is located on top of the air fryer. Two indicator lights, located below the temperature control knob, show when the air fryer is on and heating up. In general, we thought the Dash Compact Air Fryer was well designed, so it wouldn’t be an eyesore if you had to keep it on the counter due to a lack of cabinet space.
Cooking Performance Of Dash Compact Air Fryer
A traditional air fryer dish—frozen french fries—was the first one we tested. Following the instructions in the user’s manual, we set the temperature dial to 400 degrees and the timer dial to three minutes as Dash had advised to do so to help your food cook more quickly. We added our fries after the timer rang and turned the dial to 10 minutes. While the Dash doesn’t have any presets, the user manual does provide a list of times and temperatures for typical foods like fries, steak, burgers, and chicken nuggets, so we knew that in accordance with the directions, our fries should take between nine and 16 minutes. After 15 minutes, we finally pulled the fries out, which was about how long most air fryers would require to finish the job. However, we were a little let down by the results because some of the fries were incredibly crispy and others were hot but still quite soft.
Frozen french fries, a staple of air fryer cuisine, were where we started our testing; however, we were somewhat let down by the results.
After evaluating the fries, we moved on to apple chips, another one of our go-to air fryer snacks. We arranged the chips evenly in the basket, turned on the air fryer, and sliced our apples thinly (roughly 1/8 of an inch), removing all the seeds. Dash didn’t specify a recommended cook time or temperature for these, but the majority of recipes call for frying them for seven to eight minutes at 325 to 390 degrees, flipping them halfway through.
After our chips had been cooking for five minutes, we discovered that the fan had blown them all into a pile in the corner of the appliance. We re-spread them and restarted the timer for five minutes. When the allotted time had passed, we took the basket out to discover some of the chips were still raw while others had been crisply burned. It was a major letdown and a clear criticism of the Dash because we’ve made apple chips in a number of other air fryers and never experienced this problem.
Cost Of Dash Compact Air Fryer
In our rankings, the Dash Compact Air Fryer is the most affordable model at $49.95. It costs about $50 less than the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fry, which comes in second on our list of the Best Air Fryers of 2022 in terms of price. Additionally, it costs about $350 less than the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, the priciest air fryer in the survey.
The Dash Compact Air Fryer is a reasonable option if you’re new to air frying.
Ease Of Use And Cleaning
Setting the two dials for time and temperature couldn’t be easier or more obvious. They are difficult to precisely set, though, because they are not digital. Although there is a 400°F setting, the other temperature options are 320°F, 250°F, and 170°F, which are not frequently requested temperatures, and there is no 350°F setting, which is the other temperature you’re most likely to use. A small removable rack on which food is placed sits in the basket, which is simple to remove from the appliance and replace.
The lower front side of the Dash reaches a temperature of more than 143°F as it cooks, and the bottom becomes quite hot to the touch. You must exercise caution when handling the Dash despite the fact that the handle and the dials always remain at room temperature. We were surprised by the air fryer’s sound rating of 60.6 dBA given its size. This reading is louder than the typical value we found for full-size air fryers. It is about the same volume as the kitchen’s conversation.
Both the basket and its rack have nonstick coatings that make them dishwasher safe.
It is simple to read and comprehend the manual. It includes a brief cooking guide and a few tempting recipes.
Compared To Other Brands
Ninja Af101 Air Fryer
A difficult price to beat is the Dash Compact Air Fryer’s $49.95 price tag. At $129.99, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is also reasonably priced.
The Dash is a basic air fryer with a small 2-quart food capacity and no presets or functions, which is the primary difference between these two appliances. You will need to look elsewhere if you want something that functions like a toaster or convection oven.
The Ninja appliance, in contrast, has a 4-quart capacity as well as four presets and functions. You can cook using the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer in ways aside from air frying. It can, for instance, roast and dehydrate food, which you cannot do with the Dash Compact Air Fryer.
In the end, each appliance has something to offer, and the best option will depend on how many different cooking options you want.
Philips Premium Airfryer Xxl
These two units have very distinct functions. You can air fry with the 5.7-pound Dash Compact Air Fryer, but that’s about it. Although it has no presets or functions, its $49.95 price is within most people’s budgets.
Contrarily, the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL offers a variety of cooking options, including air frying, baking, roasting, grilling, and reheating. This air fryer has a sizable 7-quart food capacity and weighs a substantial 17.6 pounds. You could even cook a whole chicken in this air fryer if you’d like.
You can even separate and collect extra fat using the technology for fat removal that is included. You have a lot of options with the Philips device, but those options cost money. The appliance is $349.95 at retail.
Read about Crux 2.6 Qt. Touchscreen Air Convection Fryer Reviews
Dash Compact Air Fryer FAQs
Does The Dash Compact Air Fryer Need To Be Cleaned?
After each use, Dash advises cleaning the Compact Air Fryer. Unplug the device before cleaning it. Additionally, the air fryer needs to be brought to room temperature.
Utilize a wet cloth to clean the appliance’s exterior. Never clean the inside of the appliance or the crisper drawer with metal utensils or harsh cleaners because you risk damaging the nonstick coating.
Dishwasher-safe crisper trays and drawers are both available. In hot water and dish soap, you can also wash them.
Use a cleaning brush to remove food residue from the heating element if it spills onto it. You are also advised not to remove the silicone tabs that are attached to the crisper tray’s prongs by Dash.
Does The Dash Compact Air Fryer Have A Warranty?
There is a 12-month warranty on the Dash Compact Air Fryer. The air fryer’s warranty period officially starts the day you buy it. When filing a claim, you must include proof of purchase, along with the date.
If you sign up for the manufacturer’s Feel Good Rewards program, the warranty can be extended to two years.
Final Verdict
The space-saving Dash Compact Air Fryer will appeal to small families. Although it doesn’t brown and crisp as quickly or as well as larger models, it still produces good results with some trial and error. But we can’t deny its success when it comes to chicken wings; it’s one to buy.
There isn’t a simpler or more user-friendly model available on the market. The Dash is also lightweight (5.6 pounds) and compact, making it simple to store if not in constant use. But if you don’t have much counter space, you should buy this model.
Thank you for reading.
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