Chefman TurboFry Touch 8 Qt Air Fryer Review
The Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Quart Air Fryer (RJ38-SQSS-8T) is aimed squarely at families and batch cooks who want a large single basket without moving to a bulky oven-style appliance. Its 1700-watt heater, 8-quart capacity, four food presets, shake reminder, and dishwasher-safe basket make the specification sheet attractive, but independent testing reveals a more nuanced picture: it cooks remarkably fast and handles chicken and fries well, while temperature accuracy and some aspects of cleanup are less impressive.
Quick Overview and Specifications
| Model | Chefman TurboFry Touch RJ38-SQSS-8T |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 quarts / 7.57 liters |
| Power | 1700W, 120V |
| Temperature Range | 200–400°F |
| Controls | Digital touchscreen with 4 presets |
| Presets | Fries, chicken, fish, meat |
| Cooking Area | About 97.5 sq. in. in independent measurement |
| Cleaning | Nonstick basket; top-rack dishwasher safe |
| Safety | Automatic shutoff; pauses when basket is removed |
| Warranty | 1-year Chefman assurance |
First Impressions
The biggest surprise is how much cooking space Chefman fits into a conventional drawer-style design. Independent measurements put the cooking surface near 97.5 square inches, noticeably more than several 6-quart competitors. The stainless-steel exterior also looks more appliance-like than inexpensive all-plastic fryers.
The drawer is another strong point. Testing found it smooth enough to open and close with one hand, although the touchscreen text is comparatively small. Four presets simplify common foods, but anyone who normally adjusts time and temperature manually will probably rely on those controls more than the presets.
Performance & Feel
This Chefman performs best when speed and high-volume crisping matter. Laboratory testing scored cooking speed at 9.4/10. French fries developed crisp exteriors with soft centers, and chicken wings stayed notably juicy while still developing crisp skin. That makes the machine especially relevant to readers comparing air fryers for cooking crispy chicken.
Results are less universal with foods that need careful heat control. Testers reported harder-than-ideal tater tots and salmon that remained moist but lacked stronger exterior browning. The automatic shake reminder helps with foods that benefit from tossing midway through cooking, but an 8-quart basket can still cook unevenly when overcrowded.
Temperature Accuracy & Cooking Consistency
This is the Chefman’s most important compromise. Independent temperature testing found a discrepancy of about 16.7°F between the selected and measured temperature. For forgiving foods such as wings, vegetables, frozen snacks, and fries, that may be manageable. For baked goods and recipes where a relatively narrow temperature window matters, it creates a learning curve.
The upside is speed: most cooking does not require a lengthy preheat, so weekday meals can move quickly. After a few uses, noting whether your food finishes earlier or later than expected is more useful than blindly following a recipe’s stated time.
Durability and Cleaning
The stainless-steel exterior, sturdy-feeling drawer, and nonstick cooking surface make a positive first impression, and Chefman backs the appliance with a one-year assurance. Long-term buyer feedback is generally favorable, although scattered reports mention control-panel or longevity problems, so this is not a model I would treat as indestructible.
Cleaning is mixed. The basket can go on the dishwasher’s top rack, but independent testers found that grease collects in basket corners and that removing the crisping plate takes more effort than expected. Because heat appliances deserve regular inspection as they age, it is also worth reviewing general guidance on air-fryer recalls and safety checks.
Value for Money
Value depends heavily on the selling price. Chefman’s official list price is around $120, while the model has frequently sold closer to the $70–$80 range. At the lower price, getting 8 quarts, 1700 watts, digital controls, a shake alert, and dishwasher-safe parts is compelling. Near full list price, stronger all-round performers become easier to justify.
Comparison to Similar Air Fryers
Cosori TurboBlaze 6 Qt: Smaller at 6 quarts but stronger in independent cooking-quality and temperature-accuracy testing. Choose it when consistency matters more than maximum single-basket capacity.
Instant Vortex Plus 6 Qt: Also smaller, but laboratory testing showed substantially more accurate temperature control. It is attractive for cooks who want fewer manual adjustments.
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket: Maintains a similar total capacity while splitting food between two cooking zones. It is better suited to cooking two different foods simultaneously, although it normally costs more and has a more complex footprint.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large 8-quart basket and 97.5 sq. in. measured cooking area
- Very fast cooking performance
- Excellent results with chicken wings and fries
- 1700W power and useful shake reminder
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Cons
- Temperature can differ noticeably from the selected setting
- Cooking quality varies by food type
- Grease can collect in basket corners
- Crisping plate is somewhat awkward to remove
- Touchscreen text is relatively small
Who Should Buy This?
The TurboFry Touch makes the most sense for households of roughly four to six people, meal preppers, and cooks who frequently make chicken, fries, vegetables, or frozen foods in substantial portions. Its large single basket is also useful when you dislike splitting one recipe between two smaller drawers.
Solo cooks, students, or anyone with extremely limited counter space may be better served by a smaller model; this guide to compact air fryers for dorms and small spaces illustrates how dramatically capacity and footprint can change with the intended use.
Extended FAQ
How many people can the Chefman 8 Qt feed?
Chefman positions the 8-quart model for approximately four to six people, although actual capacity depends on the food and whether it needs to remain in a single layer.
Does it need to preheat?
Not for most everyday air-frying tasks. Independent testing found it fast enough to cook effectively without routine preheating, although a short preheat may help foods that benefit from immediate high heat.
Is the basket dishwasher safe?
Yes. Chefman specifies that the basket is top-rack dishwasher safe. Greasy corners may still benefit from hand scrubbing.
Can it bake?
It can handle air-fryer baking, but its measured temperature discrepancy makes it less ideal for recipes that depend on highly precise heat.
Does it automatically shut off?
Yes. It shuts off when the timer finishes and pauses cooking when the basket is removed.
What is the maximum temperature?
This specific RJ38-SQSS-8T version is rated for a maximum cooking temperature of 400°F.
Final Verdict
The Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Quart Air Fryer is a capacity-and-speed specialist rather than the most precise air fryer available. Its roomy cooking surface, rapid cooking, juicy chicken, crispy fries, dishwasher-safe basket, and straightforward presets make it a practical family appliance. The main reason to hesitate is temperature accuracy, followed by merely average cleaning convenience and less consistent performance with certain foods.
At a discounted price around the range where this model frequently sells, the package is much easier to recommend than at its full list price. Families who prioritize batch size and speed should find plenty to like; precision-focused bakers may prefer a better-calibrated competitor.
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