Review of the CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 air fryer

In recent years, a particular type of kitchen appliance has been gaining popularity: the multi-oven in an air-fryer format, commonly referred to as an “air-grill.” Manufacturers have quickly capitalized on this trend, offering a wide range of models to suit different tastes and budgets. Today, we’ll take a look at the CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 – unbox it, examine its design, and, of course, try cooking with it to see how it performs in practice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Why Are Air-Grills Becoming More Popular?

The main reason seems to be the modern preference for healthier eating. Cooking in a multi-oven like this requires minimal oil, yet it is not a steamer – the result is genuinely tasty food with a well-browned finish. At the same time, the traditional frying process, whether on a pan or in a classic deep fryer, is largely avoided.

The second reason is the speed of cooking. This is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced life, where everyone wants results quickly and no one enjoys waiting.

So, healthy and tasty food that cooks quickly – is that even possible? To understand how such results are achieved, let’s take a brief look at the underlying principles.

How an Air-Grill Works and Its Advantages

The closest equivalent to an air-grill is an electric convection oven. Like a convection oven, a multi-oven has one or more heating elements and a system for circulating hot air. However, unlike a conventional oven, the bowl of a multi-oven is much smaller. This smaller volume allows for smaller and less powerful heating elements, reduces preheating time, and generally speeds up cooking. As a result, an air-grill can be more energy-efficient compared to a large oven.

CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 Specifications

Key features of the model:

8.5 litre bowl capacity – suitable for families
Touch control and clear display
Smoking function using wood chips
10 automatic cooking programmes
Double heating element – even cooking on all sides
Minimum temperature 40°C – suitable for drying food
Additional features: Display, viewing window, grill technology

Key specifications:

Type: Multi-cooker (Air fryer)
Power: 2200 W
Operating temperature: 40 – 200 °C
Heating element type: Metal heating element
Weight: 6 kg
Colour: Black
Dimensions: 38.5 x 35.5 x 32.5 cm
Warranty: 24 months
Body material: Plastic
Bowl capacity: 8.5 l
Cooking functions: Baking, grilling, deep frying, drying, roasting vegetables and meat, smoking
Temperature control: Built-in thermostat
Page on the official website

Positioning and Price

As mentioned, the Ukrainian market is currently saturated with similar multi-ovens from various appliance manufacturers. The CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 occupies a mid-range price segment, costing around $118/€102. Considering its features – a large 8.5 L bowl, dual heating elements, and a smoking function – it represents a reasonably good value for a multi-oven of this type.

If you compare offerings from well-known brands, models with similar specifications tend to be noticeably more expensive. The Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 is essentially a family-sized model, with a cooking capacity sufficient to prepare meals for three to four adults in a single batch.

Package Contents and Unboxing

The product comes in a sturdy double-layer packaging. The outer layer is a transport box made of thick gray-brown cardboard. Beneath it is a thinner, colored cardboard box featuring images of the appliance, branding, descriptions, key specifications, and model features. Inside, the multi-oven is secured with foam supports for protection during transit.

The package includes the following items: the multi-oven unit, cooking racks, a smoking lid, a smoking base, 15 g of smoking wood chips, a user manual, and a warranty card.

Design, Materials, and Build

The CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 has a typical design for this type of appliance: a rounded-corner rectangular shape. The body is entirely made of black plastic, with a combination of matte sections featuring a textured pattern that mimics rough metal, and glossy smooth areas.

In theory, I understand that black is currently a popular color in modern kitchen design, but practically, it’s not very convenient. On a black surface, every smudge, grease spot, and fingerprint is immediately visible. Perhaps the manufacturer’s intention is to encourage users to clean the appliance more frequently. Personally, I prefer white for kitchen appliances, but for this model, there’s simply no alternative – only black, full-on “hardcore.”

On the top of the unit, there is an information display and touch-sensitive buttons, while the front features a handle for removing the bowl, finished in a red-gold color for a premium look.

At the back, the power cable with a Euro plug emerges, along with a dedicated cable holder/organizer that allows for neat winding. This makes storage and transport more convenient, preventing the cable from dangling loosely like a paralyzed monkey tail.

Once the air-grill is set in its operating position, any excess cable can be wound onto this holder, keeping it out of the way. Additionally, the holder also serves to maintain a safe distance from the wall, preventing the appliance from being placed flush against it and ensuring a minimum ventilation gap. A small detail, but a thoughtful one – I appreciate these user-oriented touches, which show that the manufacturer cares.

Overall, I have no complaints about the build quality or assembly of the CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500. The appliance looks solid and stylish, fitting well into the design of any kitchen space.

Using the CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500

It was time to cook something tasty, and we started with a classic combination: chicken wings and rustic-style potatoes. As mentioned, cooking in an air-grill requires very little oil – just a bit of salt and spices, a light spray on the meat, or tossing the potatoes with some oil. The cooking process is straightforward: place the ingredients in the bowl, select the desired program, and monitor progress through the transparent window on the front of the bowl.

Simply turn on the interior light to check the current status of the food. Cooking times are relatively short – about 30 minutes for the chicken and 25 minutes for the potatoes. For dishes that normally require preheating a conventional oven, the appliance also offers a dedicated 5-minute preheat mode.

The results are genuinely tasty: the food cooks evenly inside thanks to the dual heating elements at the top and bottom, while the circulating hot air creates a nicely browned, flavorful crust on the outside. Perfect outcome!

Other dishes we tried in the multi-oven included roasting meat in chunks and on the bone, as well as making a cheese-based casserole similar to cheesecake. Overall, I can note that the cooking process is simple and quick, and even inexperienced users should have no trouble thanks to the built-in preset programs.

Additionally, the cooking process can be managed in a semi-manual mode, allowing you to set the heating temperature and cooking time yourself or adjust these parameters as needed within a selected preset program. It’s convenient, fast, and practical.

Another key feature of the CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 is its smoking function – though it’s more like grilling “with a hint of smoke.” For this, a special container is used, into which a small amount of soaked fruitwood chips is placed. The container goes at the bottom of the bowl, with a rack positioned on top. Then you place meat or fish on the grill and select the dedicated program. It’s recommended to use this function with kitchen ventilation. While not exactly “healthy” cooking, it’s a useful feature for those who enjoy the flavor of smoked meat or lightly smoked dishes.

Conclusions

The CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 performs well as an alternative to a conventional electric oven, starting up instantly, cooking about 1.5 times faster, and using noticeably less electricity. Additionally, it offers grilling and smoking functions that are typically absent in standard ovens.

If you already have an air-grill in your kitchen, the only time you might still need a conventional oven is when preparing a very large quantity of food for many people, or when a baking dish is too big to fit in the multi-oven bowl. For everyday use in a small to medium-sized household, however, this model is perfectly suitable, making it a practical addition to any kitchen.

Design, materials 9
Comfort of use 10
Cooking speed 10
Energy consumption 9
Price 9

CECOTEC Cecofry&Grill Smokin 8500 Review: Powerful Air‑Grill for Whole Family