Last Updated on July 9, 2023
This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.
If I were to list two of the most popular innovations in kitchen appliances during the last ten years, I would have to put programmable pressure cookers and air fryers at the top of the list. Pressure cookers have been around for a long time, but the launch of the Instant Pot in 2010 revolutionized cooking. Today, multifunction pressure cookers have replaced a host of other cooking appliances, thanks to their ability to do everything from slow cook to make rice.
Air fryers have been a big development, too. Restaurants and consumers have been using deep fryers for decades, but those require lots of oil, which introduces both added fat and added mess. In the same year that the Instant Pot was released, Dutch company Phillips unveiled the Airfryer, which adapted existing convection oven technology to simulate what a deep fryer could do without the oil. Today, air fryer has become a generic term for these specialized convection ovens.
As popular as the two appliances are, I suppose it was only a matter of time before companies started trying to see if they could consolidate them into one single appliance. Aldi, which has sold its share of both programmable pressure cookers and air fryers, is stocking just such a combination product.
What We Know:
The official Aldi promo photo. Note that the lid can be changed out to switch between pressure cooker (left) and air fryer (right).
The Ambiano Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer Combo (Product Code: 707294) is an Aldi Find, which means it’s only in stores for a limited time. Each store gets a single shipment, and once that’s sold out, you won’t be able to get the appliance until it comes back to stores, whenever that might be. Aldi doesn’t ship products online, so if you can’t find it in stores, you’re out of luck.
At the time of this post, the pressure cooker / air fryer costs $99.99. That’s lower than most other combo products I can find online.
As best as I can tell, the Ambiano model looks identical to a Thomson Air Fryer / Pressure Cooker, which is sold on Amazon and elsewhere. The design, including the button layout, appears the same. The Thomson model currently averages 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on 240 ratings, with 73% of users giving it 5 stars.
According to Aldi, features include:
- 6.5 Quart Capacity
- Preset Functions
- Stainless Steel Finish
- Accessories that stack neatly inside unit for easy storage
Aldi doesn’t specify what those accessories are.
What We Don’t Know:
We haven’t tested this combo product out, so we don’t know how easy it is to use, how effective it is at both pressure cooking and air frying, or how long it lasts. We’ve created this open thread for users to share their thoughts.
Do you have experience with this combination product? Let us know in the comments.
I tested a Ninja Foodi pressure cooker/air fryer combo for Walmart Spark Reviewer once, and liked it as a pressure cooker, but found it to be too bulky to use easily (especially since its “TenderCrisp” air fryer lid was permanently attached). I hadn’t previously used any kind of air fryer, so probably didn’t give that function of the Foodi as thorough a test as the pressure-cooking part. (I did try the Foodi’s roast chicken recipe which made use of both the pressure-cooking & air frying functions, though, and didn’t like it as much as the roast chicken I make in the oven.)
The one nice thing I’m noticing from the pictures of the pressure cooker/air fryer combo that Aldi is selling, is that both pressure cooker and air fryer lids are removable, so not as much overhead clearance is required on one’s kitchen counter as there would be for the Ninja Foodi. (The removable air-fryer lid seems similar to the air-fryer lid made for Instant Pots now.)
Hope this helps.
https://i.imgur.com/bSXvKgX.jpeg
A major drawback of this item: there is no sauté/browning function.
It comes with a recipe book mentioning such function along with extra mode such as “beans”, “egg”, etc. that are not available on this model.
The item can now be found discounted in store still having supplies.
Sounds like you don’t think it’s even worth getting at a discount. Thanks. My store had a lot of these a few days ago. I was going to check for a markdown tomorrow.
I too just realized the egg function is non existant. As well as the saute. A little disappointing. But have my first pot of soup on cooking now. Hope it was worth the $29.99 i spent on it. lol
It looks nice and it is a good price for such combo.
I mentioned the difference in options, as the Ambiano previous model has been largely reviewed, and allows you to use the pot without the lid to sautée before using the pressure cooker.
Makes me wonder if it’s just a stripped down Thomson with the same booklet included.
Yes! This is exactly what it looks like.
Very disappointed. Searched everywhere for the sauté function…I love to sauté in the pot, as well as brown meat to keep things simple and keep all the flavors in one pan. Every pressure cooker I’ve used had the ability, or a work-around. Quite the drawback…not quite sure the thinking behind the decision to not include it. I hate to even give it away without the ability to sauté. Too big for a doorstop…I guess I could always plant some flowers in it.
The comments with the missing sauté option are very helpful. I would have searched for it longer. The box shows a saute option and a recipe in the recipe book says it, but this item doesn’t do anything without the lid on. BUMMER, got it for half prize but not worth it without saute.
I found the instructions to be lacking. For example, they display a water cup and show where to put it, but never indicate if needed-when or why to use. It never addresses the steam release dial and what position it should be in. That’s the part of pressure cooking that always made me nervous so I never used one, so I really want to know more about it’s use..
My Hamilton Beach pressure cooker came with a little plastic cup which clips onto the back of the device; it’s for collecting condensation which may escape from the pressure cooker. I often forget to attach the little cup, and sometimes get a little puddle of condensation on the kitchen counter as a result. As to the steam release valve, perhaps someone who already owns the Ambiano pressure cooker/air fryer could post images of the valve in the open and closed positions. (That’s the sort of thing that you’d think should always be included in the owner’s manual for any pressure cooker!)
If I didn’t follow this page, I would have bought one of these for $24.99 today. Seriously! 75% off.
I just bought this from Aldi’s for the 2499 on clearance. I chopped up my potatoes and carrots and celery and onions and added my brown beef and made some delicious beef stew took 18 minutes. With all your complaints it doesn’t sound like it’s that bad in my opinion
It sounds like the Ambiano pressure cooker/air fryer might be a good deal (esp. at the clearance price of $24.99) for experienced pressure cooker users who can figure out how to operate it without the help of a manual — but probably wouldn’t be a good choice for first-time pressure cooker users.
it’s a great deal for $25. decent for $50.. I would pass at $100. it uses the same seals as instant pot and I believe the internal pot will work as well if you prefer stainless or want to replace the original pot.
air fryer function works great, I really miss the saute function but maybe air frying can replace some of that
I recently watched a YouTube video where a fellow was making Osso Bucco in a Power Pressure Cooker XL, and he sauteed the beef shanks he was using stovetop instead of in the pressure cooker. So apparently the Ambiano pressure cooker/air fryer isn’t the only electric pressure cooker to lack a saute function.
As to air frying as a substitute for saute, maybe, so long as one flips/stirs the food being air-fried. Might be worth a try, at least.
Bought the combo unit mainly for the air fry capability. Purchased several months ago, I just today opened the box to use it. Imagine my surprise……no air fry lid or instruction book! Don’t know if its worth trying to get just the lid or just give it a “Heave”. Comments?
Mine is as missing the cord and the instructions manual. I ordered a cord but can’t find the manual on line anywhere. Any suggestions as I’ve never used a device like this before.