Blackstone now has a portable air fryer for camping and tailgating

The Blackstone Adventure Ready Portable Air Fryer uses propane and features a 3.5-quart basket, digital controls and a folding handle.(Photos courtesy of Walmart)If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.By Josie Howell | jhowell@al.comAir fryers are convenient for quickly preparing wings, fries and other crispy foods at home, but Blackstone now offers a portable version designed to bring those same foods to campsites, tailgates and outdoor cookouts.The Blackstone Adventure Ready Portable Propane Air Fryer uses a 1-pound propane tank to produce heat instead of depending entirely on a traditional electrical outlet. Its compact frame, folding top handle and 3.5-quart cooking basket make it easier to transport than the full-size air fryer and griddle combinations Blackstone typically sells.Walmart currently offers the Blackstone portable air fryer for $179 with free shipping and free 90-day returns. It comes in Blackstone’s signature gray and orange color scheme and can reach temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit.Blackstone Adventure Ready Portable Air FryerThe Blackstone Adventure Ready Portable Air Fryer uses propane and features a 3.5-quart basket, digital controls and a folding handle.$179 at WalmartHow does the Blackstone portable air fryer work?The Blackstone Adventure Ready Air Fryer uses propane to generate the heat needed to cook food. A connector on the side accommodates a standard 1-pound propane cylinder, although the tank must be purchased separately.Once connected, the built-in piezo ignition system provides a quick startup without requiring matches. Cooks can then use the digital timer and temperature controls to adjust the settings for different foods.The 3.5-quart grill basket provides enough room to prepare fries, chicken nuggets, vegetables, doughnuts and other foods for a small group. Its removable design also allows it to slide completely inside the appliance when it is time to pack up.Blackstone advertises the model as a 4-quart air fryer, but the usable grill basket itself has a 3.5-quart capacity. The appliance weighs approximately 29.8 pounds, so it is portable in the same way as a tabletop grill rather than a small appliance you would carry over a long distance.Does the Blackstone air fryer need electricity?The cooking heat comes from propane, but the appliance is not completely electricity-free. Its digital display and convection fan require either batteries or access to a plug.The battery option also makes the Blackstone air fryer practical for stadium parking lots, campsites, picnics and other places where running an extension cord would be inconvenient or impossible.Unlike a traditional countertop air fryer, which can require significant electrical power to create heat and circulate hot air, this model lets propane handle the more energy-intensive heating process.Why is a propane air fryer useful for tailgating?Most tailgating menus rely heavily on grills, griddles and slow cookers. The Blackstone air fryer adds another cooking method without occupying valuable grill space.It can prepare fries while burgers cook on a griddle, crisp frozen appetizers without a pot of hot oil or reheat wings without making them soggy. Since the basket remains enclosed during cooking, the appliance also helps contain grease and reduce the mess associated with outdoor frying.The digital controls make it easier to monitor cooking time and temperature without constantly opening the basket. Its folding handle lies flat against the top when it is not being carried, creating a more compact shape for loading into a vehicle.The air fryer could also work as a companion to one of Blackstone’s portable griddles, giving campers and tailgaters two different ways to prepare food without bringing a full outdoor kitchen.What can you cook in the Blackstone portable air fryer?Blackstone specifically recommends the appliance for fries, chicken nuggets, doughnuts, meats and vegetables. However, it can prepare many of the same foods as a conventional air fryer, provided they fit inside its 3.5-quart basket. This includes chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, tater tots, onion rings, frozen snacks, roasted potatoes and reheated pizza. It could also handle smaller portions of chicken tenders, fish fillets or vegetables for an outdoor dinner.The limited basket size means it will not replace a grill or large griddle when feeding a crowd. Instead, it works best for side dishes, snacks and smaller batches that would otherwise require access to a kitchen.Drew Barrymore’s Walmart appliances now come in ChocolateUGG reinvents its popular men’s Tasman slipper in leatherAlabama fans can shop 16 officially licensed Yeti productsMichael Kors’ $300 Grayson duffle crossbody bag is on sale for $89 LEGO drops light-up pumpkin set ahead of HalloweenJosie Howell is a commerce and news writer for AL.com where she primarily focuses on shopping and streaming content. She began her career in 2019 as an editor for The Chanticleer, Jacksonville State...