You’ve seen them everywhere. Those sleek, stainless steel boxes sitting on the counters of every Costco member and serious home cook across the country. Honestly, the Gourmia all in one air fryer has become a bit of a cult classic, and it’s not just because they’re often priced so aggressively that you feel like you’re stealing it. It’s because the kitchen appliance market has become a bloated mess of single-use gadgets, and this thing actually tries to do everything at once without failing miserably at all of them.
Most of us start the air frying journey with a tiny, basket-style unit that can barely fit three chicken wings. Then you realize you want to roast a whole chicken or bake a tray of brownies. That's where the "all in one" label starts to matter. It's not just a marketing buzzword. It’s a promise that you can stop using your massive, energy-sucking wall oven for 90% of your meals.
But here’s the thing: people often get confused about what "all in one" actually entails with a brand like Gourmia. Is it an air fryer? A toaster oven? A rotisserie? A dehydrator? Well, yeah. It's basically a convection oven on steroids that’s been shrunk down to fit under your cabinets.
The Reality of FryForce 360 Technology
Gourmia loves to talk about their FryForce 360 Technology. If you strip away the branding, what you’re looking at is a high-powered heating element paired with a fan that moves air much faster than a standard oven. This creates that "crunch" we all crave. You aren't actually frying anything in the traditional sense. You're just sandblasting your food with heat.
I’ve noticed that people often complain their food comes out dry. That’s usually because they treat a Gourmia all in one air fryer like a regular oven. You can't. Because the airflow is so intense, you have to drop the temperature by about 25°F and cut the cooking time by 20% compared to standard recipes. If you ignore this, you’re going to end up with jerky instead of a juicy pork chop.
Wait, check the wattage. Most Gourmia models, like the popular GTF7600 or the larger GAAF series, pull about 1700 watts. This is why they preheat in about three minutes. It’s fast. Like, "oops I forgot to start dinner and the kids are screaming" fast.
Why the French Door Models Changed the Game
If you look at the Gourmia GAF798 or the digital French door versions, you see a design shift. The double doors aren't just for show or to make you feel like a professional chef in a French bistro. They solve a legitimate ergonomic problem. Ever burned your forearm trying to reach over a hot, pull-down oven door? Exactly.
With the French door Gourmia all in one air fryer, you pull one handle and both doors swing open. It’s satisfying. It also allows for a wider cooking cavity. You can actually fit a 12-inch pizza in these. That’s a massive jump from the circular baskets that make you stack your food in layers—which, by the way, is the fastest way to get soggy fries.
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Never stack your food. Air needs to touch every surface. If the air can't move, the "fryer" part of the name is a lie.
The Presets: Helpful or a Gimmick?
Gourmia usually packs about 12 to 19 presets into their digital interfaces. You’ve got buttons for:
- Shrimp
- Dehydrate
- Pizza
- Wings
- Bake
- Roast
Are they perfect? No. Honestly, the "Wings" preset is usually a bit too long for my taste. However, for someone who isn't a confident cook, these buttons lower the barrier to entry. They provide a starting point. Think of them as a "best guess" rather than a law. You’ll still want to peek through the glass window—another huge advantage over basket models—to make sure things aren't turning into charcoal.
Dealing With the "New Plastic" Smell
Let’s be real for a second. If you read reviews on Amazon or Reddit, you’ll see people complaining about a chemical smell during the first few uses of a new Gourmia all in one air fryer. This isn't unique to Gourmia; it’s common in almost all high-heat appliances with protective coatings.
The fix is easy. Don't cook food in it immediately. Take it outside or put it under a very strong vent hood. Run it at 400°F for 20 minutes with nothing inside. Let it cool. Do it again. This "burn-off" period clears out those manufacturing oils. If you skip this, your first batch of fries will taste like a tire fire. Nobody wants that.
Is It Actually Healthier?
The marketing says 80% less fat. That's a specific number based on comparing air-fried French fries to deep-fried ones. It's technically true because you're using a tablespoon of oil instead of a quart.
But health is more than just calories. The real benefit of the Gourmia all in one air fryer is the ability to roast vegetables in a way that actually makes people want to eat them. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and carrots become caramelized and crispy in 12 minutes. That’s the real win for your lifestyle.
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The Maintenance Headache (And How to Avoid It)
Cleaning an all-in-one unit is harder than cleaning a simple basket. There. I said it. You have racks, a crumb tray, and an interior that gets splattered with grease.
- Tip 1: Use parchment paper liners, but ONLY those with holes in them. If you use solid paper, you block the airflow and ruin the whole point of the machine.
- Tip 2: Clean the crumb tray every single time. If you let grease build up, it will eventually smoke. That's how you set off your fire alarm at 6:00 PM on a Tuesday.
- Tip 3: A paste of baking soda and water works wonders on the glass doors. Don't use harsh chemicals; you're cooking food in there.
The stainless steel exterior looks great for about five minutes. Then you touch it. If you’re a neat freak, keep a microfiber cloth nearby.
Comparing Gourmia to Ninja and Breville
You might be wondering why you’d buy a Gourmia when Breville exists. It’s price. Plain and simple. A Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro can easily run you $400. A Gourmia all in one air fryer with similar capacity often sits between $70 and $120.
Does the Breville have more precise temperature control? Yes. Does it have "Element IQ" to move heat around more intelligently? Sure. But for most families, the Gourmia performs at 90% of the level for 25% of the price. It’s the "people’s air fryer." It’s accessible.
Ninja is the middle ground. Their "Flip" models are cool because they save counter space. But the Gourmia usually offers a larger internal volume. If you have a family of four, capacity is king. You don't want to cook in three separate batches while the first batch gets cold.
Surprising Things You Can Do (Beyond Frozen Snacks)
If you’re just using your Gourmia all in one air fryer for mozzarella sticks, you’re missing out.
Try reheating pizza. This is the single best use case. Microwaves make pizza soggy; ovens take too long. Three minutes in the Gourmia at 350°F and it tastes better than it did when it was delivered. The crust gets crispy again, and the cheese actually bubbles.
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Hard-boiled eggs. Or rather, "air-fried" eggs. Put them in at 270°F for 15 minutes. Straight into an ice bath. They peel perfectly every time. No boiling water required.
Dehydrating fruit. If your model has the dehydrate function, you can turn thinly sliced apples or strawberries into healthy snacks. It takes hours because it uses low heat and high fan speeds, but it’s incredibly simple.
Common Failures and How to Spot Them
No appliance is perfect. The most common "death" for a Gourmia unit involves the thermal fuse or the fan motor. If you notice the fan sounds like a dying lawnmower, stop using it.
Also, the digital touchscreens can sometimes be finicky if your hands are wet or greasy. It’s a minor annoyance, but something to keep in mind. I personally prefer the models with physical dials for temperature and time because they’re bulletproof, but the digital ones look much more modern on the counter.
The Actionable Verdict
If you’re on the fence, look at your counter space. These units are big. Measure your clearance between the counter and the upper cabinets. You need at least 2 to 4 inches of "breathing room" around the unit so it doesn't overheat or damage your cabinetry.
Next Steps for New Owners:
- Perform the "Dry Run": Run the empty unit at 400°F for 20 minutes twice to eliminate the factory smell.
- Buy a Meat Thermometer: Since air fryers cook faster than ovens, a digital thermometer is the only way to ensure your chicken is safe but not dry.
- Get the Right Accessories: Invest in a set of silicone-tipped tongs. Metal tongs will scratch the non-stick coating on your trays instantly.
- Start with the Basics: Before trying a complex rotisserie chicken, do a batch of hand-cut potatoes. It helps you learn the "hot spots" of your specific machine.
The Gourmia all in one air fryer isn't a magical device that makes you a Michelin-star chef overnight. It’s a tool. A very fast, very efficient, very affordable tool that replaces four other appliances. Just keep it clean, don't crowd the tray, and always—always—lower the temperature from what the box says. Your dinner will thank you.