Cuisinart Air Fryer Digital vs Manual (2021): Which One Is Better?

Cuisinart is one of the go-to brands for kitchen appliances. They have a product for pretty much any type of kitchen appliance or gadget that you’ll need. Today, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at their air fryers, specifically, the difference between digital and manual/analog air fryers. We’ll find out which one is better for your specific needs. That said, here’s a quick comparison of the Cuisinart TOA-65 (digital) and the Cuisinart TOA-60 (manual).

Cuisinart Air Fryer Digital vs Manual Comparison Chart

Controls and Cooking Functions

The digital Cuisinart air fryer oven (TOA-65) comes with more cooking functions than the manual type (TOA-60).

There are different ways to classify Cuisinart air fryers, but in this article, we’ll be looking at the differences between a digital and a manual type. To differentiate between the two, all you have to do is look at their controls. The Cuisinart TOA-65, which is a digital air fryer, has an LCD display, six buttons and a dial, while the TOA-60 (manual) only has four knobs and an interior light button.

Aside from their controls, a digital and manual air fryer will also have differences when it comes to cooking functions, with digital offering a wider range of cooking functions to choose from. With the Cuisinart TOA-65, you’ll be able to air fry, toast, broil, roast, bake, reheat, warm and dual cook your food. In addition, you’ll also be able to braise and slow cook. Furthermore, it comes with several air fry presets for different chicken parts, fries, veggies and more. You don’t have to know the precise temperature and timer settings for each type of food, the air fryer presets will make sure that you’ll have crispy fried food every time.

With a manual or analog air fryer toaster oven like the Cuisinart TOA-60, the choice in cooking functions is limited, seven to be exact. These cooking functions are: warm, broil, convection broil, toast, bake, convection bake and air fry.

The most significant difference between Cuisinart digital and manual air fryers is their control panel. A digital air fryer will have more functions than a manual type.

Size and Build Quality

Both air fryers are compact and light enough to be comfortably placed on a countertop.

When it comes to design, the most obvious difference is their controls. The digital TOA-65 has a screen, a dial and a few buttons, while the manual TOA-60 has four knobs and a button. Size-wise, the digital TOA-65 is a bit bigger and heavier than the manual TOA-60. The product dimensions for the TOA-65 and TOA-60 are 17 x 21.7 x 15.8 and 15.5 x 16 x 14 inches, respectively. The weight difference is 7.5lbs, with the TOA-65 weighing at 28.5 lbs and the TOA-60 at 21 lbs.

Both air fryer toaster ovens feature a stainless steel exterior with a non-stick coated interior. The capacity is the same—0.6 cu.ft. With a 0.6 cu.ft. capacity, you will be able to fit in a 12″ pizza, 3lb chicken for air frying, toast 6 bagel halves and roast a 4lb chicken. Both air fryer toaster ovens come equipped with an 1,800 watt motor that’s capable of reaching cooking temperatures of up to 450°F.

Whichever one you purchase, you’ll receive the same set of accessories as well. Both come with a baking pan, a wire rack and an air fryer basket.

Ease of Use

The Cuisinart manual TOA-60 is easier to operate than the Cuisinart digital TOA-65.

Right out of the box, the analog Cuisinart TOA-60 is easier to use because all of the knobs are labelled. It’s more intuitive and you don’t have to consult the manual for basic cooking functions. For safety though, you should always read the manual before operation.

In contrast, the digital Cuisinart TOA-65 can take a while to get used to. Since it offers a lot of cooking functions, you’ll want to know how to operate it well before you start cooking with it. It’s recommended that you take the time to read the included documentations for safety and for best results.

When in use, both air fryers come with an interior light control so that you can see what’s inside. You can keep an eye on your food as it’s cooking and make the necessary adjustments to get the best results. In addition, both air fryers are also equipped with a stay cool handle for safety.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Both are easy to clean and maintain.

Both the Cuisinart TOA-65 and TOA-60 are easy to clean. Since they both come with stainless steel exteriors and non-stick interiors, cleaning them with a piece of cloth is very easy. All the racks and trays are removable as well, so you can easily clean the interior. The crumb tray at the bottom easily slides in and out and you can just wipe it down to keep it clean.

As for the baking tray and air fryer basket, they are dishwasher safe. With the Cuisinart TOA-60 though, you’ll need to take extra care in cleaning the control knobs, since they can get very sticky. Overall, both air fryer ovens are easy to clean and maintain.

Verdict

The digital Cuisinart TOA-65 comes with a lot more cooking functions but at a higher price point.

The biggest differences between a Cuisinart digital and manual air fryer are their controls and their cooking functions. If you want a Cuisinart air fryer that comes with several cooking functions, you’ll want the Cuisinart TOA-65. It has a wider temperature range than the manual TOA-60, so it is capable of more cooking functions. However, it is more expensive, by a substantial amount.

If you want a simpler air fryer, the Cuisinart TOA-60 is definitely the better buy. All the basic cooking functions are available, and it costs a lot less than it’s digital counterpart.

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