Tower Vortx 6 Litre Digital Air Fryer

Introduction

This user manual provides comprehensive instructions for operating your Tower Vortx 6 Litre Digital Air Fryer (Model T17127). Please read all instructions carefully before use and retain for future reference.

Important Safety Information

Please read these safety NOTES carefully BEFORE using your Tower appliance. These warnings have been provided in the interest of safety. Basic safety precautions should always be followed.

Key Safety Points (During Operation)

• Surfaces are hot. DO NOT touch the hot surfaces.
• Hot steam is released through the air outlet openings. Keep your hands and face at a safe distance from the steam and from the air outlet openings.
• Hot steam and air may escape when the appliance is opened.

General Safety

• DO NOT immerse cords, plugs or any part of the appliance in water or any other liquid.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children. Children should not play with the appliance.
• This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved.
• Cleaning and user maintenance should not be undertaken by children without supervision.
• Take care when any appliance is used near pets.
• Switch off and unplug before fitting or removing accessories, after use and before cleaning.
• Allow the appliance to cool down for approximately 30 minutes before fitting or removing accessories or cleaning.
• If the supply cord or appliance is damaged, stop using the appliance immediately and seek advice from the manufacturer, its service agent or a similarly qualified person.
• The use of accessory attachments is not recommended by the appliance manufacturer, apart from those supplied with this product.
• DO NOT use the appliance outdoors.
• DO NOT place the appliance on or near a hot stove top or heated oven.
• Take care when moving the appliance, or removing accessories and food as hot oil or other hot liquids may be present.
• DO NOT clean the appliance with metal kitchen utensils, caustic or abrasive cleaning agents or scouring sponges.
• DO NOT place anything on top of the appliance.
• DO NOT use this appliance for anything other than its intended use.
• This appliance is for household use only.

It is important that this instruction manual is retained for future reference. If the appliance is given to someone else, it should always be accompanied by these operating instructions, as they form an integral part of the appliance.

Whilst Air Frying

• Please ensure that the appliance is used on a stable, level, and heat resistant surface.
• DO NOT place the appliance on or near combustible materials such as a tablecloth or curtain.
• DO NOT place the appliance against a wall or against other appliances. Leave at least 10cm free space on the back and sides and 10cm free space above the appliance.
• DO NOT place the appliance in the presence of explosive and/or flammable fumes.
• DO NOT cover the air inlet and outlet during operation.
• Any accessories, baking trays or oven dishes used in the appliance will become hot. Always use oven gloves when handling or removing anything from the appliance.
• DO NOT place food that is still packed in plastic wrap or plastic bags in the appliance.
• DO NOT allow food to come into contact with the heating element of the appliance.
• If the appliance begins to emit smoke, unplug it immediately. Only open the door once the smoke has cleared. Remove burnt remnants.
• DO NOT leave this appliance unattended whilst operating.

Plug and Cord

• Check that the voltage of the main circuit corresponds with the rating of the appliance before operating.
• WARNING: DO NOT let the cord hang over the edge of a table or counter, serious burns may result from the air fryer being pulled off the counter where it may be grabbed by children or become entangled with the user.
• DO NOT let the supply cord touch hot surfaces.
• DO NOT carry the appliance by the power cord.
• DO NOT use any extension cord with this appliance.
• The appliance is not intended to be operated by means of an external timer or separate remote-control system.
• DO NOT pull the plug out by the cord as this may damage the plug and/or the cable.
• DO NOT plug and unplug with wet hands.

Wiring Safety for UK Use Only

Diagram of a UK 3-pin plug showing Earth (Green/Yellow), Neutral (Blue), and Live (Brown) wires connected to the fuse and terminals.

IMPORTANT: As the colours in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, please proceed as follows:

The wires in the mains lead are labelled in accordance with the following code: Blue neutral [N] Brown live [L] Green/Yellow [EARTH] =

Plug Fitting Details (Where Applicable)

• The wire labelled blue is the neutral and must be connected to the terminal marked [N].
• The wire labelled brown is the live wire and must be connected to the terminal marked [L].
• The wire labelled green/yellow must be connected to the terminal marked with the letter [E].

• On no account must either the brown or the blue wire be connected to the [EARTH] terminal.
• Always ensure that the cord grip is fastened correctly.
• The plug must be fitted with a fuse of the same rating already fitted and conforming to BS 1362 and be ASTA approved.
• If in doubt consult a qualified electrician who will be pleased to do this for you.

Non-Rewireable Mains Plug

If your appliance is supplied with a non-rewireable plug fitted to the mains lead and should the fuse need replacing, you must use an ASTA approved one (conforming to BS 1362 of the same rating).

If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician who will be pleased to do this for you.

If you need to remove the plug - disconnect it from the mains - then cut it off of the mains lead and immediately dispose of it in a safe manner. Never attempt to reuse the plug or insert it into a socket outlet as there is a danger of an electric shock.

WARNING: This appliance MUST be earthed! ⚠️

In the unlikely event the appliance develops a fault, stop using it immediately and seek advice from the Customer Support Team. +44 (0) 333 220 6066

Structure of Your Appliance

The appliance consists of the following main parts:

• Control Panel: The digital interface for operating the air fryer.
• Air inlet: Vents for air intake, typically located at the top.
• Air outlet: Vents for hot air expulsion, typically located at the rear.
• Cooking Basket Handle: Used to pull out and insert the cooking basket.
• Cooking Basket: The removable drawer where food is placed for cooking.

Control Panel

The control panel features various indicators and keys for operating the air fryer:

Before First Use

Preparing for Use

1. Remove your appliance from the packaging.
2. Check that there is no damage to the cord or any visible damage to the body.
3. Dispose of the packaging in a responsible manner.
4. Remove any stickers or labels from the appliance. DO NOT remove the rating label.
5. Clean the cooking basket and grill plate with some washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge. Dry thoroughly. Place the grill plate into the bottom of the cooking basket.
6. Wipe the inside and outside of the appliance with a damp cloth.
7. Slide the cooking basket into the unit.

Illustration description: An air fryer with its basket being slid into the unit.

8. Do not fill the fryer with oil or frying fat. This fryer operates using hot air and requires very little to no oil.
9. Familiarise yourself with the control panel as described in the Control Panel section.
10. Situate your appliance according to the Important Safety Instructions section.

Using Your Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cooking Basket Safety Switch

For your safety, this air fryer contains a safety switch in the cooking basket, designed to prevent accidental operation when the basket is not properly situated or the timer is not set. Before using your air fryer, please ensure that the grill plate is inside the cooking basket and the cooking basket is fully closed.

Removing the Cooking Basket

Pull the handle to remove the cooking basket. If the cooking basket is removed from the main body of the fryer when in operation, the unit will automatically stop working and the indicator lights will go off. When the cooking basket is re-inserted, the air fryer will resume operation on the latest selected settings.

Turning the Appliance ON and OFF

1. To use the appliance, begin by plugging it into a mains socket, ensuring the socket switch is in the ON position. There will be a sound prompt and the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key will light up red to indicate the unit has been plugged in.
2. Once the unit is plugged in, press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) to turn the unit on. The control panel will illuminate.
3. Long-press this button to turn the unit off. There will be a sound prompt and the control panel will turn off, leaving only the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key illuminated.

Starting a Cooking Cycle

1. Once the air fryer is on, press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) to quick-start the default cooking cycle. The pre-set indicators will go out, the heating indicator (?) will illuminate, the fan indicator (?) will start flashing, and the unit will begin to work. The default quick-start cooking cycle runs for 15 minutes at 180 degrees. However, the cooking time and temperature can be manually adjusted at any time, as detailed in the corresponding sections.
2. Alternatively, select one of the available pre-set menus, as detailed in the corresponding section.
3. Short-press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) at any time when the unit is in operation to pause the cooking cycle. The heat indicator (?) will go out, the pre-set indicators will come back on, and the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key will begin to flash to show the unit is paused. Alternatively, long-press this key to turn the unit off.

NOTE: When the cooking cycle ends, the LED screen will display 000 and the unit will give off multiple sound prompts. When this occurs, pull the cooking basket out of the air fryer and retrieve the food.

Setting the Temperature

1. The appliance's cooking temperature can be set manually, from 80°C to 200°C.
2. Press the Temperature Up Key (▲) and Temperature Down Key (▼) to manually adjust the cooking temperature, in increments of 5°C. The current selected temperature will be displayed on the unit's LED screen.
3. When the correct temperature has been selected, press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) to begin or resume the cooking cycle.

Setting the Cooking Time

1. The appliance's cooking time can be set manually, from 0 to 60 minutes.
2. Press the Timer Up Key (▲) and Timer Down Key (▼) to manually adjust the cooking time, in increments of 1 minute. The current selected cooking time will be displayed on the unit's LED screen.
3. When the correct cooking time has been selected, press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) to begin or resume the cooking cycle.

Pre-Set Menus

This unit is equipped with a choice of eight pre-set menus: Chips, Chicken, Bacon, Prawns, Steak, Cake, Vegetables, and Fish.

1. Press the Menu/Pre-Set Selection Key (☰) to cycle through and select the available pre-sets. The corresponding indicator will flash on the unit's control panel to show each pre-set has been selected, and the default cooking time and temperature for that pre-set will be displayed on the unit's LED screen.
2. When the correct pre-set has been selected, press the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️) to begin or resume the cooking cycle. The corresponding indicator will remain illuminated, but all other pre-set indicators will go out to show which pre-set has been selected.

NOTE: Cooking times and temperatures for each pre-set can be manually adjusted, as detailed in the corresponding sections above.

Air Frying

1. The cooking process will automatically begin once the correct cooking temperature and time have been selected. The Timer and Temperature indicators (?) will light up to show the air fryer is in operation.

NOTE: The temperature indicator (?) will periodically switch itself off and back on during the cooking process, to maintain the required temperature. This is normal and is not indicative of any flaw with the appliance.

CAUTION: DO NOT touch the cooking basket during and for some time after use, as it gets very hot. Only hold the cooking basket by the handle.

2. When the set preparation time has elapsed, the appliance will emit an audible signal. When this occurs, pull the cooking basket out of the appliance and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Alternatively, turn the appliance off manually by long-pressing the ON/OFF/Start/Pause key (▶️ / ⏸️).
3. Check if the ingredients are ready:
4. If the ingredients are not ready yet, simply slide the cooking basket back into the appliance and set the timer to a few extra minutes.
5. If the ingredients are ready, empty the cooking basket into a bowl or onto a plate. Take care if tilting the cooking basket, as any excess oil that has collected on the bottom of the cooking basket will leak onto the ingredients, and the grill plate may also become loose during the cooking process and fall onto the food.
6. When a batch of food is ready, the appliance is instantly ready for preparing another batch.
7. Unplug the appliance when the unit is not required for further cooking.

Air-Frying Tips

• If the food is cold, increase the cooking time by 3 minutes.
• To remove large or fragile ingredients, lift the ingredients out of the cooking basket with a pair of tongs.
• The cooking time will depend on the size of your ingredients. Smaller sizes may require a shorter cooking time.
• Shaking smaller ingredients and turning food halfway during the cooking time optimises the end result and can help prevent unevenly fried ingredients.
• For perfectly fluffy fries, it is recommended that potatoes be parboiled before frying.
• Add some oil to fresh potatoes for a crispy result. Fry your ingredients in the air fryer within a few minutes after you added the oil.
• Be cautious of using extremely greasy ingredients in the air fryer.
• Snacks that can be prepared in an oven can also be prepared in the unit.
• Use pre-made dough to prepare filled snacks quickly and easily. Pre-made dough also requires a shorter cooking time than home-made dough.
• When battering items, ensure they are battered in the correct order, so that they do not fall apart while crisping or frying. Items should be first be coated in flour, then butter or egg, and finally breadcrumbs.
• The table on the Settings page offers reference times and quantities for frying a variety of popular ingredients.

Weights and Measures

Check these charts for basic imperial to metric conversions of weights and volumes.

Weight Conversions

Volume Conversions

Food Allergies

IMPORTANT: Some of the recipes contained in this document may contain nuts and/or other allergens. Please be careful when making any of our sample recipes that you ARE NOT allergic to any of the ingredients. For more information on allergies, please visit the Food Standards Agency's website at: www.food.gov.uk

Settings

The following table provides recommended cooking times and temperatures for various foods. Adjust as necessary based on quantity and personal preference.

Cleaning and Care

WARNING! Do not immerse the appliance in water or any other liquid.

NOTE: Clean the appliance after every use.

1. DO NOT use metal kitchen utensils or abrasive cleaning materials to clean them, as this may damage the non-stick coating.
2. Remove the mains plug from the wall socket and let the appliance cool down.

NOTE: Remove the cooking basket to let the air fryer cool down more quickly.

3. Wipe the outside of the appliance with a moist cloth.
4. Clean the cooking basket and grill plate with hot water, some washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge.
5. You can use degreasing liquid to remove any remaining food remnants or excess oil.

NOTE: The cooking basket is NOT dishwasher-proof. NEVER place the cooking basket in the dishwasher.

TIP: If food remnants or excess oil are stuck to the bottom of the cooking basket, fill the cooking basket with hot water with some washing-up liquid. Let the cooking basket soak for approximately 10 minutes.

6. Clean the inside of the appliance with hot water and a non-abrasive sponge.
7. Clean the heating element with a cleaning brush to remove any food residues.

Storage

• Ensure that the air fryer is cool, clean and dry before you store it.
• Store the appliance in a cool and dry place.

Troubleshooting

Disposal of the Unit

Appliances bearing the symbol ♻️ (recycling symbol) may not be disposed of in domestic rubbish. You are required to dispose of old electrical and electronic appliances like this separately.

Please visit www.recycle-more.co.uk or www.recyclenow.co.uk for access to information about the recycling of electrical items.

Please visit www.weeeireland.ie for access to information about the recycling of electrical items purchased in Ireland.

The WEEE directive, introduced in August 2006, states that all electrical items must be recycled, rather than taken to landfill. Please arrange to take this appliance to your local Civic Amenity site for recycling, once it has reached the end of its life.

Customer Support

If you have any questions or concerns about your new product, please contact our helpful Customer Support Team:

+44 (0) 333 220 6066

www.towerhousewares.co.uk

Please have your Model No. available. This can be found on the front cover of this instruction manual and on the appliance's rating label.

Recipes

Homemade Fries

Prep time: 15 MINS | Cook time: 20 MINS

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes such as Maris Piper
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1 cm thick chips.
2. Place the chips into a pan and cover with cold water, bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Drain in a colander then rinse under the tap to cool completely and pat dry on kitchen paper.
3. Place the potatoes in a bowl and drizzle over the oil then season with salt and black pepper.
4. Remove the fries from the bowl leaving behind any excess oil.
5. Place the fries into the air fryer and then cook according to the times and temperatures shown in the Settings table above.

Family Size Serves 4

Honey Lime Chicken Wings

Prep time: 5 MINS | Cook time: 30 MINS

Ingredients

• 12 chicken wings
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

Method

1. Place all the ingredients inside a large mixing bowl or zip-locked sealing bag.
2. Mix them well and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
3. Evenly scatter the chicken wings in the cooking basket.
4. Cook according to the times and temperatures shown in the Settings table above, turning halfway through.

Family Size Serves 4

Guarantee Information

This product is guaranteed for 12 months from the date of original purchase. If any defect arises due to faulty materials or workmanship, the faulty products must be returned to the place of purchase. Refund or replacement is at the discretion of the retailer.

The Following Conditions Apply:

• The product must be returned to the retailer with proof of purchase or a receipt.
• The product must be installed and used in accordance with the instructions contained in this instruction guide.
• It must be used only for domestic purposes.
• It does not cover wear and tear, damage, misuse or consumable parts.
• Tower has limited liability for incidental or consequential loss or damage.
• This guarantee is valid in the UK and Eire only.

The standard one year guarantee is only extended to the maximum available for each particular product upon registration of the product within 28 days of purchase. If you do not register the product with us within the 28 day period, your product is guaranteed for 1 year only.

To validate your extended warranty, please visit www.towerhousewares.co.uk and register with us online. Please note that the length of extended warranty offered is dependent on product type and that each qualifying product needs to be registered individually in order to extend its warranty past the standard 1 year. Extended warranty is only valid with proof of purchase or receipt.

Your warranty becomes void should you decide to use non-Tower spare parts. Spare parts can be purchased from www.towerhousewares.co.uk

Or call our Customer Support Team on: +44 (0) 333 220 6066

Graphic description: A graphic showing '3 YEAR GUARANTEE'.