Honestly, walking down the kitchen appliance aisle at Costco or scrolling through Amazon feels like a fever dream lately. You see fifty different black plastic boxes that all claim to do the same thing, but the Gourmia GAF858 air fryer has managed to carve out a weirdly loyal following. It isn’t the sleekest thing you’ve ever seen. It doesn’t have a built-in sous-vide mode or a voice assistant that tells you jokes. But after putting this thing through the ringer with everything from frozen dino nuggets to a whole roast chicken, I get why people are obsessed.
It works.
Most people buy an air fryer because they want that "crunch" without the literal vat of oil, but they end up frustrated because the basket is too small or the interface is a nightmare. The Gourmia GAF858 sort of solves the "small basket" problem by leaning into its 8-quart capacity. That is a lot of room. We’re talking about "feeding a family of five without cooking in three separate shifts" kind of room.
What’s Actually Under the Hood of the Gourmia GAF858?
If you’re looking for tech specs, this model runs on what Gourmia calls FryForce 360° Technology. It sounds like marketing fluff, and to some extent, it is. But technically, it’s just a very efficient way of moving 1700 watts of heat through a circular airflow pattern. The real-world result? You don't get those annoying "cold spots" in the middle of your fries as often as you do with cheaper, 4-quart models.
The GAF858 is basically the upgraded sibling of the older GAF798. You’re getting a digital interface that is surprisingly intuitive. It has 12 one-touch cooking functions, though if we’re being real, most of us are only ever going to use "Air Fry," "Bake," and "Reheat." The reheat function is actually the sleeper hit here. If you’ve ever tried to microwave leftover pizza and ended up with a soggy triangle of sadness, this machine will change your life. Five minutes at 350°F and it’s better than it was when the delivery guy dropped it off.
That Massive 8-Quart Basket
Size matters. A lot. Most "standard" air fryers are 5 or 6 quarts. That jump to 8 quarts in the Gourmia GAF858 air fryer means you can actually spread things out. Crowding is the number one reason air fried food turns out mushy. If the air can’t circulate around the individual wings or sprouts, they just steam.
In this model, the basket is wide rather than just deep. This is a crucial design choice. A deep, narrow basket means you’re stacking food five layers high. A wide basket lets you keep things in a single layer. I’ve managed to fit a 5-pound chicken in here with room to spare.
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The "Guided Cooking" Feature: Helpful or Annoying?
One thing you’ll notice immediately is the "Turn Food" reminder. Most air fryers just beep and hope for the best. The GAF858 actually pauses and prompts you to flip things over. For someone who gets distracted by laundry or a podcast, this is a literal lifesaver. There’s also a "Preheat" option that ensures the heating element is actually at temperature before you toss your food in.
I’ll be honest: sometimes I skip the preheat. If I’m just heating up some mozzarella sticks for a midnight snack, I’m not waiting three minutes for a warm-up. But for actual proteins—like a steak or salmon—skipping preheat is a mistake. You want that immediate sear to lock in the moisture.
Cleaning This Beast
Let's talk about the part everyone hates. The dishwasher. Gourmia claims the basket and the multi-purpose rack are dishwasher safe. They are. Sort of.
The non-stick coating on these baskets is decent, but it isn't invincible. If you throw it in the dishwasher every single night with those harsh detergent pods, you’re going to see it start to flake in about a year. My advice? Hand wash it. It’s a big basket, but it’s a five-minute job with some warm soapy water. Avoid the steel wool at all costs. You’ll regret it.
Where the GAF858 Misses the Mark
Nothing is perfect. The footprint of this thing is massive. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen with limited counter space, the Gourmia GAF858 air fryer is going to feel like a roommate who refuses to leave. It’s bulky. It needs a good five inches of clearance from the wall because the exhaust vent in the back kicks out a lot of hot air.
Also, the cord is surprisingly short. You’re going to be tethered to whatever outlet it lives near.
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Then there’s the noise. It isn't "jet engine" loud, but you’ll definitely know it’s running. If you’re trying to have a quiet conversation in a small kitchen, you might find yourself raising your voice a bit. It’s the trade-off for having a powerful fan that actually moves enough air to crisp up a sweet potato.
Comparisons You Should Care About
When you look at the GAF858 vs. something like the Ninja Foodi or a high-end Philips, you’re looking at a price gap. Gourmia is the budget-friendly king, often found at Costco for a fraction of the price of a Ninja.
- Ninja Foodi: Better build quality, but usually much more expensive and takes up even more room if it’s a multi-cooker.
- Instant Vortex: Very similar performance, but some users find the Gourmia interface slightly more "set it and forget it."
- Philips Airfryer XXL: Probably the gold standard for air flow, but you’re paying triple the price for a slightly more "premium" feel.
For the average person who just wants to make wings on Sunday, the Gourmia wins on value every single time.
Real World Results: The Fry Test
I tried a few specific items to see if the 1700 watts actually mattered.
Frozen Fries: Ten minutes at 400°F. No oil added. They came out better than the oven, but you still have to shake the basket halfway through. The "Turn Reminder" was actually helpful here.
Brussels Sprouts: This is the real test. Tossed with a little olive oil, balsamic, and salt. 15 minutes at 375°F. The outer leaves charred perfectly while the insides stayed tender. This is where the 8-quart space shines; they weren't crowded, so they didn't get soggy.
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Whole Chicken: A 4.5lb bird took about 50 minutes. The skin was incredibly crispy. Pro tip: Cook it breast-side down for the first 25 minutes, then flip. The juices stay in the breast meat, and you don’t end up with dry white meat.
Nuance and Longevity: What People Get Wrong
A common complaint about the Gourmia GAF858 air fryer—and air fryers in general—is the "plastic smell" when you first turn it on. People panic. They think it’s leaching chemicals into their food.
Actually, it’s usually just the protective coating on the heating element burning off. The fix is simple: run it empty at 400°F for about 20 minutes in a well-ventilated room before you ever put food in it. Do it once, and the smell is gone forever. If it persists after three or four uses, then you might have a defective unit, but 90% of the time, it’s just the "new car smell" of kitchen appliances.
Another thing? Don't use aerosol spray cans (like Pam) directly on the basket. The soy lecithin in those sprays builds up a gummy residue that is impossible to remove and eventually ruins the non-stick surface. Use a refillable oil mister or just toss your food in a bowl with oil before putting it in the basket.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you’ve just unboxed your GAF858, or you’re about to pull the trigger, here is the roadmap to making sure it actually lasts and performs:
- The First Burn: Run the unit at 400°F for 20 minutes while empty. Open a window. This clears out the manufacturing residues.
- The Space Rule: Give it at least 6 inches of breathing room from your backsplash. The heat coming out of the back can actually damage some types of wallpaper or cheap countertop finishes over time.
- The "Half-Full" Secret: Just because it’s 8 quarts doesn't mean you should fill it to the brim. For the best "crunch," never fill the basket more than half-full for items like fries or wings.
- Silicon Tools Only: Buy a pair of silicon-tipped tongs. One scratch from a metal fork and your non-stick coating is on a downward spiral.
- Dehydrate Everything: Don't ignore the dehydrate function. If you have apples that are about to go soft, slice them thin, sprinkle some cinnamon, and run it. It’s a great way to reduce food waste.
The Gourmia GAF858 air fryer isn't a luxury item. It’s a utility player. It’s for the person who wants to get dinner on the table fast without a massive cleanup or a greasy kitchen. It’s large, it’s loud, and it’s effective. For the price point it usually hits, it's hard to find a reason not to have one sitting on your counter—provided you have the counter space to spare.
Maintenance Checklist
- Check the heating element (the coil at the top) once a month for grease buildup. Wipe it with a damp cloth when the unit is completely cold.
- Clean the exterior with a microfiber cloth to prevent the stainless steel trim from looking smudged.
- If the basket starts to smell like old oil, soak it in a mix of lemon juice and baking soda for 15 minutes before washing.
Next Steps:
Before your first cook, verify that your kitchen counters can handle the heat output; some granite or quartz can be sensitive to prolonged heat, so using a heat-resistant mat underneath the unit is a smart move. Once set up, start with a simple batch of air-fried potatoes to calibrate your timing, as this model tends to run slightly hotter than older Gourmia versions.