Summary of the DASH Air Fryer
I couldn’t be happier with the Dash compact air fryer review. The Dash air fryer worked fantastically well. It was simple to operate, but importantly it was easy to learn how to use. The cooking results were great too. All things considered; I would thoroughly recommend this air fryer. Keep on reading, it you want a little more detail on the what’s and the whys.
Pros
- Small size
- Powerful and quiet
- Cheap
- Easy to use
Cons
- Small basket surface area
In-depth DASH Compact Air Fryer review
Hello again…welcome to my Dash compact air fryer review. They are all much of a muchness you may say…not in this case. This is something different…but is it something special? Let’s find out.
I’ve spoken many times about the benefits of air frying…and that’s coming from somebody that reaches for a Dutch oven at the first opportunity. There is a place for everything though and an air fryer can really help you manage your day more efficiently, especially if you have a brood of hungry children.
So, we know that you can cook foods with 75% less calories, we know that you can retain more nutrition in the food and we also know that it is quick and easy. So, what can the Dash air fryer do that is different? Let’s find out.
In my review of the Dash compact electric air fryer, I will consider various aspects of it…from the design to the air frying ability. I will consider what is good about it and also let you know what you should watch out for.
Let’s start with the unboxing first…always my favorite part of any review.
The unboxing of the Dash compact air fryer
The box is small…it’s a small air fryer so it should not surprise me…but it did. I’m so used to big boxes arriving from Amazon…mostly industrial looking brown boxes with the ‘real’ box inside. It’s actually quite refreshing to get a ‘real’ box right away if that makes sense.
First impressions, I like the design. It really gives it a modern feel but with an abundance of character. I love the strong red colors on it. I think I will be keeping this box.
So, what’s actually in the box? Well of course…the air fryer. You get a very simple user guide which is good. It’s simple to read and easy to follow. Who has the time or desire to read through an industrial looking user manual? Not many…you just want to play with your new toy.
The recipe book looks fab too. Some nice simple recipes to get you going…the instructions are clear and concise…the pictures are lovely. You will like this, I do.
That’s pretty much it in side the box…very simple but very well done too. I really approve of the fact that there is very little environmental wastage coming from the packaging. Not many manufacturers pay too much attention to this, so well done to Dash.
Time to take a closer look at the DASH electric air fryer.
Design & styling
Initial impressions are very positive actually. In my review of the Cosori air fryer, I spoke of the sleekness and modernity of the design. This…well this is something different all together. It’s pretty unique actually because the design really stands out in a crowded market place. It might not be to everybody’s taste…but the design is inoffensive and I can see most people liking it.
I know that this might sound a little strange…but from a distance, I kind of looks like an electric kettle…that might give you an indication of the footprint. It’s relatively small and quite discrete.
It comes in a few colorways. This being the grey. They are also available in black, white, red and a lovely looking aqua color.
The unit itself has some very nice chrome accents which give it a premium feel. The handle also has some metal on it too…makes it stronger and easier to clean too.
Overall, I like the styling and design function. Simple yet classy. This is what good design should be.
Front panel
You say front panel…this is more like a top panel. The air fryer is small so actually it makes sense to place it up there. If it was on the front, you would have to crouch and bend over to see what you are doing. This is a wise choice and much more comfortable for the user.
The display is simple…yet effective. No complex looking panel to be seen here…a nice red display and a few buttons. If I didn’t read the user instructions (I did), I think I could get this working using common sense alone. This is good, simple user interface with simple operation. Big plus here for Dash.
As you would expect on any modern air fryer, the Dash has a number of preset options, and a few more buttons such as power, start/stop alongside the adjustment buttons that allow you to adjust the cooking settings. Simple, yet effective controls. That’s all you need.
Build quality
There are no surprises here too, The Dash air fryer is well made and built well. It has a nice weight to it too which helps the feel of it. The body is made out of plastic and quite frankly, it is exactly what I expected.
At this price point, this is what you expect…and it’s what you get.
The buttons are touch control so will last, and the inner tray and basket is metal with a non-stick coating. It is rated as dishwasher safe.
Round the back, there is a vent to release the air whilst cooking, you need to leave at least 6 inches between the wall and unit when it is cooking. The base of it is stabilized using rubber feet.
Cooking
When you are selecting an air fryer, you should always consider your cooking style. What is it that you actually eat and what is it that you want to cook in it?
The shape and surface area of the basket can dramatically dictate what you can do with it. For example, if you are cooking meats in an air fryer, you want a basket that has a wider surface area so you can lay the meats flat.
Often, manufacturers talk of the quarts capacity but fail to mention the size of the surface area. In this case, the capacity is 1.6 quarts.
In this case, the surface area is relatively small. However, having said that, it is a small air fryer. Chances are that you are buying this to cook frozen foods in or simple things like French fries. In which case, it is perfect for the task.
You are also probably cooking for a couple of people so it’s not really a major issue here.
In terms of performance, it was exactly as I expected it to be. It’s actually quite powerful considering its size and the food I tested in it (French fries) cooked quickly and evenly. I was happy with the results which took about 20 minutes.
To put into perspective about the size, you could comfortably do two medium chicken breasts or thighs in here.
The preset options are obviously useful and they include chicken, beef, fries, frozen fries and baked goods…as well as manually setting the time and temperature.
Warranty & support
Dash is a US company and the support is based in the US too. Not a big deal you may think, but if you have ever had an issue, dealing with an American support team can really make a difference.
So far, there have been no product recalls on this item. As with any appliance, things can go wrong. If things do go wrong, the general feedback is that Dash act quickly and positively.
Specification
The Dash air fryer is 1200 watts which is more powerful than I expected on such a small appliance. That is a real plus…food cooked faster and more efficiently. It operates on 120V, as other standard US appliances do.
The unit itself is 12 inches tall and approximately 8 inches wide, the handle juts out too so you need to add 3 inches if you are measuring for storage space. The inner cooking bowl is 4 inches deep and 5.5 inches in diameter.
| Power | 1400w |
| Height | 12 inches |
| Width | 8 inches |
| Basket depth | 4 inches |
| Basket width | 5.5 inches |
Who would it suit?
Given the size of it and the market positioning, this is ideally suited to singletons and couples. If there are more of you, it might actually be worth considering too if you need it for specific small items to air fry.
The small footprint of the appliance means it would work as appliance you can leave out on your counter top all the time, whilst keeping your bigger air fryer out of the way in a cupboard.
How does it make me feel?
I always like to put the emotion back into kitchen appliances. Since I spend most my time in and around the kitchen, there needs to be a feel-good factor in anything I buy.
I’m pleased to say that this little air fryer has character in abundance. I felt good using it…a zen like calmness. No stress, no fuss…it just quietly got n with its business.
It also represented good value for money too so there was no buyers guilt involved…always a plus for me!
Verdict…would I buy it again?
I’m delighted with the Dash air fryer. It does exactly what it promises…quietly and efficiently. No over promising and under delivering here. I enjoyed using it and it really is very convenient.
I have a larger air fryer too that I keep tucked away until it is needed. This Dash air fryer stays out all the time, it’s not in the way at all.
The design is sleek and crisp, it suits my own kitchen style. Which pretty much sums up what you get here…a sleek appliance that cooks wonderful crispy food.
So, that concludes my Dash air fryer review.
Overall
-
Cooking
-
Build
-
Design
-
Value
Let me know your thoughts…do you have one, are you thinking of getting one? What’s your favorite color? Let me know what you think.
If you think your friends might find this review useful, please consider sharing it on your social media. I write these reviews in my own time so it would be nice to share that love.
See you soon…Jayne x
Since you are here…can I ask you a favor?
It would be really nice if you could share this image on social media…it’s just a couple of clicks for you but it means the world to me.
Thank you so much,
Video
Citation
You may be interested in reading the following;
Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 Review …worth the Hype?
Big Boss Air Fryer… Why You Should Avoid It
Cozyna Air Fryer Review … Is Simple Good?