Black & Decker 2-Liter PuriFry Air Fryer

A compact air fryer that earns its space

I’ve been cooking with the PuriFry for a few months, using it for weeknight meals and weekend snacks alongside a conventional oven and a larger basket-style air fryer I keep for guests. In that time, this small, 2‑liter unit has settled into a clear role: fast, tidy cooking for one to two people, with simple controls and very little fuss. It isn’t the most powerful or capacious air fryer out there, but it does more than enough to justify a permanent spot on my counter.

Design and footprint

The PuriFry’s footprint is friendly to small kitchens: roughly 11 inches tall and deep, and just under 10 inches wide. At a little over 12 pounds, it’s light enough to move in and out of a cabinet, though I’ve kept it out because I use it most days. The basket locks in with a positive click, the handle stays cool, and there’s a safety release that keeps the basket from sliding out unexpectedly. Indicator lights tell you when it’s powered and up to temperature.

Inside, the 2‑liter nonstick basket is smooth and easy to wipe clean. A clip-in separator lets you cook two different foods at once without mixing them, which I found surprisingly useful for pairing a protein with a vegetable—think chicken tenders on one side, green beans on the other. Just know the total space doesn’t change; it’s best for smaller portions.

Controls and setup

Control is all analog: a temperature dial from 175 to 400 °F and a 60‑minute timer with automatic shutoff. There are no presets or digital displays, which I view as a plus for simplicity and a minus if you like one‑button programs. The timer has a clear bell and the unit stops heating when time’s up. Removing the basket pauses heating as expected and resumes when you reinsert it.

Preheating is short. For most foods, I start the PuriFry first, prep ingredients for 2–3 minutes, then load the basket; the machine is essentially ready by then. For more delicate baking (like a small cake), I preheat for 5 minutes to stabilize the temperature.

Capacity: realistic expectations

The basket capacity is about 2.1 quarts—good for a single portion or a light meal for two. You can make:

• 10–12 chicken wings (flats and drums mixed)
• Two 4–5 oz burgers
• A couple of salmon fillets
• 1–2 servings of fries or potato wedges
• A small 6-inch cake or a few muffins in silicone cups

If you try to crowd it, browning and crisping suffer. For household cooking of four or more, expect to use batches. That’s not a flaw so much as the trade‑off for the compact size; the PuriFry excels when you keep food in a single layer with some breathing room.

Cooking performance

At 1200 watts, the PuriFry isn’t the most muscular air fryer, yet the dual convection fans move air efficiently, and that matters more than raw wattage here. Across a wide range of foods, I’ve consistently gotten crisp outsides and moist interiors with minimal oil:

• Frozen fries and tots: Evenly browned in 12–16 minutes at 380–400 °F with a mid‑cook shake. Fresh-cut fries do well after a quick soak and thorough drying; a teaspoon of oil helps color.
• Chicken wings: Excellent results at 390 °F for ~22–25 minutes, flipping or shaking twice. Skin renders nicely and crisps without flour or breadcrumbs.
• Breaded cutlets and fish sticks: A light spray of oil prevents dry spots. The basket’s nonstick helps keep coatings intact.
• Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and green beans roast well at 370–390 °F. I use a small perforated tray insert to keep delicate pieces from falling through the separator gap.
• Burgers: Two patties at 375 °F for ~10–12 minutes, flipping once, produce a good sear and juicy center. You won’t get grill marks, but you will get reliable doneness.
• Baking: A 6‑inch pan or silicone cups fit. Quick breads and small cakes set evenly at 325–340 °F with a longer bake than a countertop oven, and I tent foil loosely midway if browning gets ahead of the interior.

Where the PuriFry lags a larger, 1500‑watt unit is speed on water‑heavy foods (thick potato wedges, bone‑in thighs). It still gets there; it just takes a few extra minutes. I’d trade those minutes for its compact efficiency any day.

Noise, heat, and kitchen impact

Noise is a steady fan hum, not intrusive—about on par with a range hood on low. The exterior stays reasonably cool, and the unit doesn’t pump much heat into the room, so it’s comfortable to use in warm months. Odor control is good for most foods; fried fish is still fried fish, but the smell dissipates faster than pan‑frying.

Odor during break‑in

Like many nonstick appliances, there’s a mild “new appliance” odor during the first couple of uses. I ran two 10‑minute cycles at 400 °F with an empty basket (as the manual recommends), washed the basket and pan, and then toasted a slice of bread to absorb any lingering smell. After that, cooking smells were normal. If you encounter a persistent plastic odor or off‑taste after multiple burn‑in cycles and washes, that isn’t typical. In that case, I’d contact support under the two‑year limited warranty—persistent off‑gassing shouldn’t be ignored.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleanup is one of the PuriFry’s strongest points. The nonstick basket and pan lift out, and both wash quickly by hand with a soft sponge; they’re also dishwasher‑safe. I still hand‑wash most of the time to prolong the coating. A few habits help:

• Avoid aerosol cooking sprays; use a refillable mister or brush on oil.
• Line with perforated parchment for sticky foods.
• Let the unit cool, then wipe the interior with a damp cloth to prevent buildup.
• Use silicone tongs or wooden tools to protect the coating.

So far, the nonstick has held up fine with these practices and shows no flaking.

Safety and usability

The cool‑touch handle, basket safety release, and automatic shutoff are well‑implemented. The basket slides smoothly and seats securely, reducing the chances of spills when shaking food mid‑cook. I appreciate the clear timers and indicator lights, and I’ve had no issues with the unit creeping on the counter; the feet grip well.

The analog dials are accurate enough for everyday cooking. If you bake often, a small oven thermometer placed in the basket during preheat can help you learn the unit’s quirks at different set points.

Trade‑offs and alternatives

Trade‑offs are predictable for this class of air fryer:

• Capacity vs footprint: The small basket encourages best‑practice air‑frying (single layers) but limits family‑size cooking. Batch cooking is the workaround.
• Analog vs digital: Fewer presets and no precise numeric timer display, but fewer electronics to fail and a simpler interface to live with.
• Power: At 1200 W, cook times can be a few minutes longer than a 1500 W, 4‑ to 5‑quart model. Evenness from the dual fans compensates well.

If you mostly cook for three or more, a 4‑ to 6‑quart model is more efficient. If you’re outfitting a small kitchen, dorm, or office, the PuriFry’s size, ease of cleaning, and straightforward controls are hard to beat.

Tips for best results

• Preheat briefly for crisping, longer for baking.
• Don’t overcrowd; leave space between items.
• Shake or flip halfway through for even browning.
• Pat proteins and vegetables dry before cooking.
• Use a little oil for color on fresh potatoes and breaded foods.
• Keep a log of favorite settings; analog dials reward repetition.

The bottom line

The PuriFry hits the essentials: it cooks evenly, it’s easy to use, it cleans up quickly, and it doesn’t dominate the counter. It won’t replace a full‑size oven or a larger air fryer for big meals, but it excels at what it’s designed for—quick, tidy cooking for one or two, with a minimal learning curve.

Recommendation: I recommend the PuriFry for small households, students, and anyone who wants an uncomplicated air fryer for everyday use. Its compact size, dual‑fan evenness, and straightforward controls make it a dependable daily driver. If you routinely cook for four or more or you prefer digital presets, consider a larger, higher‑wattage model. And if a strong plastic odor persists beyond normal break‑in, take advantage of the two‑year warranty. For most users, though, this is a practical, well‑rounded air fryer that earns its keep.