Review of the Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer

Proper and healthy nutrition is the key to health and normal human development. However, it can be quite challenging to give up unhealthy fried food. That’s why modern home appliance manufacturers provide users with the opportunity to prepare “healthy” and delicious meals without using oil, frying, excessive spices, or sauces. An air fryer or air grill allows you to cook fried food without actual frying and without the use of oil. Xiaomi has released the Mi Smart Air Fryer, a smart device that cooks food using high temperatures and air convection while offering remote control. With this device, you can prepare tasty and healthy meals while retaining that signature crispy crust.

Technical Specifications

Appearance

The air fryer and its components come in a branded box with a carrying handle. The box itself lists the technical specifications and the main advantages of the model.

The package includes the following in addition to the device itself:

• A grilling rack;
• Documentation.

The device is made of glossy white ABS plastic, with a total weight of 3,900 grams when the bowl is empty. The classic white color of the device’s body is characteristic of appliances produced by the Chinese company Xiaomi.

The device features rounded shapes and a minimalist design. On the front, there is a multifunctional control knob combined with a display. Slightly above it is the power on/off button, and above that is a slotted air intake. The lower part of the device houses a basket with a handle.

The removable basket has a medium capacity, and the bowl is coated with a non-stick surface, making it easy to clean. If needed, the basket can be washed in a dishwasher.

The sides of the bowl feature special cutouts to enhance hot air convection. Since the bowl is made of metal, it is important not to touch the surface during cooking to avoid thermal burns.

At the bottom, there is a removable frying tray. The tray’s base features perforations designed to drain excess moisture and improve air convection. The sides of the tray are equipped with silicone inserts made from heat-resistant, food-safe materials. These inserts also protect the sides of the bowl from scratches on the non-stick coating. Unfortunately, my unit had a manufacturing defect, as the tray handle detached. The handle is necessary for removing the tray from the bowl. A grill rack can also be placed on top of the tray, allowing ingredients to be cooked on two levels.

The device uses a metal heating element (TEN) as the heat source. This option is considered the most reliable, as it has a lifespan of 10–12 years. A fan is used for more intensive and even distribution of thermal radiation.

On the back of the device, there is a special vent for heat dissipation. It is important to consider the placement of the device during use, as a significant amount of heat and steam is released from the rear.

The power cord is located at the bottom of the device. The cable has a standard European plug and a total length of 100 cm. Additional ventilation holes are located on the sides.

At the base, there are silicone feet and an information label indicating the device’s key technical specifications.

Practical Use

Even with an oven available, it is often more convenient to cook using an air fryer. This is because an air fryer can be used to defrost food and steam dishes—tasks that no oven is capable of performing. Since the device is marketed as a smart appliance, you can set up a Wi-Fi connection during the initial startup. However, before this, you need to select the device’s language using the multifunctional control knob.

Next, the user needs to meet just two requirements: having a Wi-Fi router with internet access and installing the Mi Home app. By default, the device automatically enables Wi-Fi, which remains available for pairing for 30 minutes. During this time, the Wi-Fi indicator on the device’s display flashes rapidly. In the app, after scanning and automatically detecting the device, the pairing process needs to be completed.

After successfully adding the device, the Wi-Fi indicator on the display will stop flashing and remain steadily lit.

The main menu of the device offers settings, scheduling, manual, and automatic programs.

The device is characterized by a high power level of 1500 W. Since it features remote control, it also includes a delayed start function. This allows the user to load the ingredients into the basket, and they will be cooked automatically at the scheduled time. However, this option is convenient only for dishes that do not require periodic stirring during the cooking process.

The cooking temperature can be adjusted within a range of 40 to 200 degrees Celsius. If desired, the program can be paused or stopped. After canceling the program, the device will switch to standby mode.

In manual mode, the cooking time can be set by the user within a range of 1 to 60 minutes.

Cooking

You can start exploring the automatic cooking programs with the simplest option—making French fries. All you need to do is cut the potatoes into small slices, place them in the basket, and select the “French Fries” program. During the cooking process, the device will periodically prompt you to stir the ingredients in the basket, and it will emit a sound signal when finished. Depending on the volume of ingredients and their moisture content, additional time may be required to fully cook the dish. The French fries turned out well, despite the absence of oil and spices.

Next, we try the “Vegetables” program. If needed, the grill rack can be used additionally for cooking vegetables. Considering the volume of the ingredients, the cooking time was increased by 10 minutes.

Now let’s move on to preparing a more complex dish—mushrooms in the air fryer. Finely grated ingredients such as garlic, potatoes, and onions should be mixed with sour cream and placed into the mushroom caps. Then, sprinkle them with grated cheese and arrange them in the basket. Use the “Vegetables” program for cooking. Mushrooms prepared in the air fryer according to this recipe turn out very tasty and juicy. The filling is fully soaked with mushroom juice, while the cheese forms a crispy topping.

If the user needs to quickly prepare a meat dish, the fastest option is to cook chicken nuggets or marinated pieces of poultry in the air fryer. Cooking can be done using the “Chicken Wings” program, either on the frying tray or the grill rack. If the user wants a crispy crust on the meat, after the automatic program finishes, the device can be run in manual mode at the maximum temperature for 5 minutes. The bowl has a capacity of 3.5 liters, but it is not possible to roast an entire chicken, for example. However, pieces of meat or poultry will cook thoroughly and evenly.

At the bottom of the basket, there is a safety switch. Therefore, when the bowl is removed from the device, the program automatically pauses. This is quite convenient if frequent stirring of the ingredients is required.

The total cooking time for four dishes was 1 hour and 23 minutes, with a maximum power consumption of 1400 W and a total of 1.6 kWh of electricity used.

Conclusions

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Air Fryer features high build quality, a stylish appearance, and compact dimensions. Thanks to the remote control function, the user can schedule delayed cooking to have a dish ready at a specified time. The temperature adjustment range is between 40 and 200 degrees Celsius, and the timer with automatic shut-off allows cooking times to be set from 1 to 60 minutes.

The inner basket is made of stainless steel with a non-stick coating. The display combined with the multifunctional control knob makes operating the device simple and convenient. Cooking does not require the use of oil, yet the food turns out very tasty and crispy. If desired, the grill rack can be used to cook dishes on two levels at once. For added convenience, the device has stable silicone feet at its base. This device is especially relevant for maintaining a healthy diet.