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CBS News
16 minutes ago
- CBS News
Pasadena homeowner celebrates first rebuild in the city following Eaton Fire damages
One homeowner in Pasadena is celebrating a milestone in the Eaton Fire rebuilding process, as her home is the first in the city to begin construction. Jun Li Lujan's home is one of more than a hundred that were damaged or destroyed in Pasadena by the wildfire, and she's hoping her rebuild is done by Christmas. "I never think that my house would burn down," Lujan said. The plot of land in Upper Hastings Ranch has been her home for more than two decades. Dirt is already being delivered to fill in several feet of topsoil that was removed to eliminate any toxins that may have been on the property. Now, her new 3,000-plus square foot home is designed and approved for construction. Her old home, built in 2020, was designed to be fire-resistant. "My older house, the siding, facia, partial exterior wall was aluminum," Lujan said. Jun Li Lujan's Pasadena home. KCAL News The shingles on the roof burned, setting the interior on fire, destroying the home from the inside out. "And any people who call me to talk about the fire, I say you know, sorry I don't want to talk about it, that's history," Lujan said. "I want to think about today, how to start a new life and rebuild my house." Starting over has been her mission since the January firestorm, dealing with the city, working with the Army Corps of Engineers, then finishing up cleanup work with her own contractors to speed things up. "I just feel happy. Every day I come here like four or three times," she said. Lujan is a professional home designer, so she and her team came up with plans for a slightly bigger house, with a metal roof this time. From the time plans were submitted to receiving final approval, she said the whole process took just 23 days. Israel Del Toro, Pasadena deputy director of planning and community development, said they have received 26 applications for rebuild, so that's about 20 percent. He hopes Lujan's quick work serves as inspiration to help others make progress on rebuilding. "I always think the fire can destroy your house, but it can't destroy our regular life, family and friendship," Lujan said.
CNN
35 minutes ago
- CNN
The best air fryers to take your meals from frozen to golden
The best air fryers we tested Best air fryer: Ninja Crispi Best air fryer runner-up: Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer If there's one thing I can't live without in my tiny kitchen, it's my beloved air fryer. I've tested, reviewed and (over)analyzed many a kitchen appliance and can safely say my air fryer has become a daily necessity. This appliance takes up no more space than a toaster but can do so much more, like whip up crispy snacks and sides (and sweet treats) in minutes. It's a faster, cleaner and healthier alternative to traditional frying, often with just a push of a button. However, with numerous options available, selecting the right air fryer can be overwhelming. To determine which are worth buying, I tested a range of popular air fryer models and 'cooked' (clicked a button) frozen foods, toasted bagels, fried bacon and even baked cookies to evaluate each one for performance, ease of use, features and design. There was plenty of taste-testing involved, and yes, air frying frozen cookie dough is the elite method of baking cookies. Trust me. After all that testing, two models stood out. Whether you're cooking for one, short on counter space or shopping on a budget, there's an air fryer for you. Here's what I found. Related article The best toaster ovens in 2025, tried and testedA post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) Ninja Crispi The Ninja Crispi is unlike any other air fryer I've tried. It's portable, glass and intuitive, which speaks to me on so many levels. It may be compact, but it delivers the power of a full-sized model in a sleek, travel-ready design. It comes with two TempWare containers, which makes it perfect for prepping portable meals, cooking in batches or sharing with friends. Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer When I think of a classic air fryer, the 6-quart Cuisinart air fryer quickly comes to mind. With its no-preheat cooking, five versatile functions and surprisingly compact build, this air fryer made it a joy to whip up tater tots, toast bread and even roast vegetables. With helpful presets, an easy-to-clean design and features like a toss reminder and automatic warm mode, it makes cooking faster and less stressful. The Ninja Crispi has been tried, tested and loved by many of us at CNN Underscored, and it lives up to the hype. In my latest round of testing, I found it to be the perfect size for prepping meals for one, and great for larger batches thanks to the two included TempWare containers (and yes, you can purchase more glass containers in different sizes on Ninja's site). Both come with storage lids, which makes dealing with meal prep and leftovers incredibly easy. Instead of transferring food from the air fryer to another container (and dealing with crumbs and burned bits), I just popped on a lid and called it a day. The 6-cup container cooked a full meal, specifically coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries in my case, in about seven minutes. It also baked cookies, fried bacon and crisped up baby potatoes in a matter of minutes, all with the push of a button. All that aside, I loved the Crispi for its range. I could use it to reheat leftovers, but moments later, use it to cook an entire 4-pound chicken. And yes, even the 4-quart container is roomy enough to handle a 4-pound chicken (with veggies, too). Even better, both containers are thermal-shock resistant, so you can take them straight from the freezer to the fryer without worrying about damage. One of my favorite features was the 'max crisp' setting, which delivered the satisfying crunch of a full-size air fryer in a much smaller, portable design. The all-in-one system also includes 'bake' and 'recrisp' settings, which came in clutch for reheating leftovers. The PowerPod (the lid) felt intuitive, with clearly labeled functions like Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry and Recrisp. I appreciated that it only used these four settings, unlike other air fryers I tested that had a laundry list of choices. If you're new to air frying, don't worry, the instructions are printed right on the PowerPod, making it very beginner-friendly. The design even includes permanently fixed, heat-safe feet, so I felt confident placing it on any surface. Altogether, the Crispi stood out for its streamlined system that handles everyday cooking, meal prep and reheating without taking up much space, no matter the size of your kitchen. After testing several air fryers, I thought this 6-quart Cuisinart model was one of the most practical for everyday use. It's large enough to cook meals or sides for a few people, but still compact enough to sit comfortably on my countertop. It comes with five cooking functions — Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil and Keep Warm — and what I appreciate most is that it doesn't require any preheating. I can go from prep to cooking without waiting, which saves time, especially on busy nights when I'm in no mood to 'cook.' The air fryer runs at 1800 watts and comes with a limited three-year warranty, which is a solid run for an air fryer. There are also five air fry presets built in: French fries, wings, frozen snacks, vegetables and leftovers. I've used each one, and the presets do a solid job of dialing in the right time and temp without much guesswork. I also liked that it had a 'toss' reminder, which reminded me halfway through the cycle to check in on my food, which I've found especially useful for fries and Brussels sprouts. And oddly enough, this air fryer was excellent at toasting bagels. The digital display is clear and easy to navigate, and the large viewing window (with an interior light) makes it simple to keep an eye on food as it cooks. After the timer runs out, up to 60 minutes, depending on the recipe, the machine automatically switches to a warm mode, so my food stays ready without getting cold or overdone. It also features an auto-pause whenever you remove the basket, which adds an extra layer of safety that I appreciated. The temperature is adjustable up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, yet the unit runs quietly enough that I can still hear myself think while it's on. Cleanup is pretty easy, too. The nonstick basket and plate are both dishwasher-safe, but are simple to hand-wash if you don't have a dishwasher. Overall, this is a smartly designed air fryer that handles various cooking tasks, from quick snacks to full meals, without much hassle. Over several weeks, I tested a range of air fryers in many shapes and forms — glass, dual-basket and even some toaster oven varieties. With each model, I cooked a lineup of everyday side dishes: French fries, sweet potato fries, battered coconut shrimp, pot stickers, tater tots and Brussels sprouts to see how well each air fryer handled real-life meals. Although every model technically air fried, the experience varied widely. Some delivered crisp, evenly cooked results with minimal effort, while others fell short in performance, usability or design. I didn't just cook (and snack). I also looked at setup, ease of use, versatility beyond air frying, design and ease of cleaning. And I didn't only judge based on specs or first impressions; I actually cooked full sides in each fryer and compared texture, crispiness and consistency. I made sure to pay close attention to how well they handled frozen foods, since that's one of the biggest reasons people reach for an air fryer in the first place. Installation and setup: I paid close attention to how easy or difficult the fryer was to get set up. Was it ready to go right out of the box, or did it require any extra steps to make it operational? Did the basket require any special assembly or use any additional trays or wire inserts? Usability: How many other cooking modes and settings does the fryer offer? Does it feature presets or other helpful controls? Most importantly, are these additional cook modes convenient or too much hassle for their own good? Performance: I cooked a serving of each type of frozen food in each fryer, taking note of how evenly everything cooked and how crispy it came out. Capacity: How large is the basket or tray of the fryer? Does the basket/tray size justify the overall size of the entire unit? Is it too clunky or bulky to be convenient enough to store when you're not using it? Overall appearance: An air fryer can be clunky, especially for those without much counter space. I considered how the air fryer would look if it were on display or if it would be more appropriate for an informal dorm room or studio apartment. Ease of cleanup: How convenient is it to clean the baskets and trays? I considered how easy or difficult this was, as well as the post-cooking cleaning process. When I was looking for the best air fryer, I realized there's a lot more to consider than just size or price, although those are two very important factors. In my air fryer research, I looked for a model that didn't use PFAS or other potentially harmful nonstick chemicals. Air fryers get a bad rap for being made with the same substances found in some toxic cookware, but luckily, many newer models are made without such toxins. Another consideration to keep in mind is how easy an air fryer is to use. A clear digital display, simple controls and a toss reminder for flipping food halfway through made a big difference in my experience. I was also on the lookout for air fryers that didn't take up too much counter space. Dishwasher-safe parts were a bonus since I didn't want to spend extra time cleaning up. In short, the best air fryer is one that's easy to use and clean, compact enough to fit even in a small kitchen and made with safe materials. Cosori TurboBlaze I consider the Cosori TurboBlaze a classic air fryer, one designed with a 6-quart basket, a host of cooking settings and, of course, a bulky design. All that to say, the TurboBlaze gets the job done with DC motor technology that cooks meals quickly. I especially loved the locking handle. The Cosori TurboBlaze has nine cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Frozen, Proof, Reheat and Keep Warm. In my testing, I was able to crisp up vegetables, fry up tater tots and even bake cookies, and it handled each dish deliciously. The 6-quart capacity is a good fit for meals and sides for three to five people. Cleanup is quite easy, too. The ceramic-coated nonstick basket and crisper plate go straight into the dishwasher, which saves time. The angled control screen is easy to see and use, and while the five fan speeds aren't customizable, they pair well with the different cooking modes to deliver even, well-cooked results. I only wish this air fryer had a window to see food cooking. There's also an automatic shutoff that kicks in if the basket is removed mid-cook or if the unit overheats. It's a helpful safety feature that works quietly in the background. Instant Pot Vortex Plus I was curious to test an air fryer by the popular Instant brand, known for its quick appliances like the Instant Pot. After testing the Instant Vortex Plus, I found it lived up to the name with a solid mix of speed, functionality and convenience. It's a 6-in-1 appliance that let me air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate. I appreciated the ClearCook window paired with an internal light, which made it easy to keep an eye on my food without opening the basket. One standout feature of this Instant air fryer is how fast it preheats. I could go from frozen ingredients to fully cooked meals in minutes, with a temperature range of 95°F to 400°F. The air fryer also includes a visible progress bar and helpful prompts to remind you when it's time to flip or add food. The one-touch smart programs are convenient too. I used them for tater tots, roasted vegetables and cookies without much guesswork. The 6-quart capacity worked well for preparing meals and snacks for four to six people, and cleanup was easy thanks to the nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket and tray. I also appreciated that the machine runs relatively quietly and uses less energy than my oven, which is helpful on busy weekdays. However, it's important to mention that this product contains PTFE, a type of nonstick coating classified as a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance). PFAS are a broad group of chemicals found in many consumer products, including cookware, and they've raised health and environmental concerns. Though PTFE is considered inert and stable at normal cooking temperatures, I recommend doing your own research if avoiding PFAS is a priority for you. Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer It's no secret that air fryers can be clunky and, frankly, a kitchen eye sore. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer, however, changes that narrative. It's an undeniably beautiful kitchen appliance, with a sleek touchscreen and even pastel color schemes. The minimalist design of this 6-quart air fryer is a stunning addition to any kitchen countertop. None other than Barrymore could add gold accents to an air fryer. Beyond the futuristic, touch-activated display, the Beautiful 6-Quart Air Fryer is a 1750W stainless steel system that heats food quickly and cools down just as fast. With a 5-pound capacity, it is well-suited for everything from cooking up chicken wings to burgers and even toasting pastries. The adjustable temperature range of 90°F to 400°F functions well for all kinds of recipe ideas, including anything involving roasting, reheating and even dehydrating. The cleanup wasn't as easy as, say, the Ninja Crispi, but the removable crisping tray and pan are both dishwasher-safe and free from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). One major downside, though, was that the air fryer didn't have a window, unlike other models in my testing pool. Philips 3000 Dual Basket A dual-basket air fryer can be extremely helpful if you multitask in the kitchen. Think roasting vegetables while heating salmon or even baking muffins while warming leftovers. Though the smells may be confusing from a loaded cooking session, the Philips 3000 Dual-Basket Air Fryer is extremely convenient for those needs, although it is quite large for a kitchen countertop. The Philips 3000 Dual Basket is a great appliance for cooking two dishes at once. Better yet? They'll be ready at the same time. This Philips model features one large basket for main dishes and a second, smaller drawer for sides, which was a smart move on Philips' part. This would be a handy air fryer for hosting a dinner with several kinds of sides, or even just ideal for family dinners or smaller, single-portion meals. Just like the Philips single-basket fryer below, this one is engineered with RapidAir Plus Technology, which cooks food evenly, as proven with the crispy coconut shrimp and sweet potato fries. Unfortunately, the touchscreen controls were tricky to navigate. Although it's easier to customize meals with more settings (eight presets, to be exact), it can get awkward when cooking two meals at once. The cleanup wasn't as easy as other air fryers I tested, thanks to the two clunky bins, but all parts are dishwasher-safe and removable. Overall, this is a solid air fryer for those who want to cut down on cooking time and have the counter space to do so. Philips 3000 I couldn't help but test out another Philips air fryer. This Philips 3000 is a single-basket appliance designed with a helpful, bright light and window, which I loved using to peek in on my meal as it cooked. I enjoyed the Rapid Air technology that circulated heat evenly and appreciated its light-up design above all else. With 16 cooking functions including baking, grilling, defrosting, reheating, dehydrating and even fermenting, this air fryer is quite versatile. The touchscreen is more difficult to navigate than on other, more straightforward air fryers, but it comes in handy for things like frozen and fresh fries, chicken drumsticks, fish, vegetables and even cookies. However, you can 'favorite' a function to save a custom preset for quick access. The 7-quart capacity can hold just over 3 pounds of fries or vegetables, which could make it a great air fryer for a large family. But I especially loved the built-in, lighted cooking window that allowed me to spy on food as it cooked. The 'StarPlate' also makes cleaning easier thanks to its nonstick finish, which is also dishwasher-safe. Breville Smart Oven Compact Sometimes, a toaster oven can double as an air fryer, which is the case for the compact Breville Smart Oven. Although it's a great choice for someone looking for a multipurpose, sparkling stainless steel countertop oven, I thought this bulky appliance was a bit more inconvenient than a traditional air fryer. There was plenty to like about this Breville air fryer, but it did have a few drawbacks (and an expensive price tag). I liked its control knob, which was responsive and worked well with the large and bright LED display, making it easy to scroll through and select the cooking mode I needed. The best feature of this model, however, was the removable fryer tray that automatically pulled out, which was helpful when adjusting food without having to grab an oven mitt. This air fryer-oven combo also boasts an impressive 13 cooking functions, making it a great choice if you're looking for a comprehensive cooking machine. It also included a pizza pan, which none of the other oven models did. One downside? Some food items wound up sticking to the mesh tray. This wire tray was also incredibly difficult to clean. For an expensive appliance, this was a deal breaker. Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? Yes, but with caution. Avoid blocking air flow and contact with heated features. Parchment paper is a safer bet, but when in doubt, always check your air fryer's user manual. Are air fryers toxic? Are air fryers toxic? As long as your air fryer doesn't have PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the nonstick coating, it won't be toxic. However, older models were made with these forever chemicals, so be sure to read up on your appliance's specifications. How can you best clean an air fryer? How can you best clean an air fryer? The first step is unplugging your air fryer. You can then soak your basket and tray in warm water with soap and wipe them down with a sponge. CNN Underscored's writers and editors thoroughly review all the products in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team backed by many years of product testing experience to ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to subject matter experts where necessary and ensure we speak about the pros and cons of products. For this article, associate testing writer Carolina Gazal spent weeks cooking and analyzing features of different kinds of air fryers. This entailed several rounds of toasting, roasting, baking and frying all sorts of treats, like bacon, dinosaur nuggets, tater tots and broccoli. Gazal loves to get her hands on the latest kitchen craze and has tested all types of appliances, from the best blenders to the best coffee grinders and even the best ice molds for cocktails.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Chick-fil-A shoots down customer complaints about rumored straw change
Some users of the Reddit social media platform have been calling out a beloved fast-food chain for a supposed change in the composition of its beverage straws — but they had a surprise in store when the restaurant clarified its policies. A user on the Chick-fil-A forum on Reddit titled a post this week, "Cfa now switching to paper straws from plastic." "I ordered a drink today from my local cfa and noticed they gave me a paper straw," said the post. "When I asked the owner-operator about this, he said that all the cfa's are also switching to paper straws," claimed the user in the June post. A Chick-Fil-A spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that "Chick-fil-A is not transitioning its restaurants nationwide to the use of paper straws." The spokesperson added, "Chick-fil-A abides by local regulation in the communities we serve, so some locations may carry paper straws where required." The post garnered hundreds of reactions, with customers weighing in on the plastic vs. paper straw debate. "It depends on where you live," said one user. Said another person, "They're required to follow local laws and ordinances. This is why some stores (ex: NYC) have paper cups while many stores still have the OG styrofoam cups." "I consider myself a leftist, but I'll be damned if I ever give up plastic straws. Lol paper is the worst," joked one user. Another Redditor wrote, "My location in Atlanta, Georgia, still has styrofoam and plastic straws. It's not good for the environment but great for my drinks." Yet another person claimed, "It's local regulations. We aren't even supposed to give straws, utensils or salad condiments without the guest requesting them." One customer said, "Oh, no, this makes me sad. I'll carry straws in my car if that happens. I get it, but it sucks." "Paper straws suck. Glad I invested in a 5-pack of reusable metal straws," declared one person. "They make that drink hit even COLDER." While there is no federal ban against single-use plastic utensils, some states and cities have put restrictions in place to help reduce waste. New York City and Los Angeles restaurants cannot provide single-use plastic beverage straws unless a customer requests them. In February, President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning the federal use of paper straws. "Plastic straws are often replaced by paper straws, which are nonfunctional, use chemicals that may carry risks to human health, are more expensive to produce than plastic straws, and often force users to use multiple straws," reads the order. The order points out that the switch is counterproductive as "paper straws sometimes come individually wrapped in plastic." "It is therefore the policy of the United States to end the use of paper straws," the order notes.
