For cooking a large batch in one go, first consider a single-basket model with a shape that suits the dish you have in mind. If you want to cook a main and a side dish using different settings, look at a model with two independent cooking zones instead. A convertible basket may suit both uses, but check the size of each configuration, the space it takes up and how it performs with recipes similar to yours: UFC-Que Choisir highlights that results vary between models.
The kind of meal you usually cook is a better guide to choosing a format than the stated total capacity alone.
If the main and side dish need different cooking times or temperatures, check the size of each zone and whether the appliance has a synchronisation function. Two drawers don’t necessarily provide enough room for one large dish.
For a large quantity of the same food, a baking tin or a bulky item, check the surface area and height of a single cooking cavity. The litre capacity won’t tell you whether your dish will fit or what load is suitable for the recipe.
A vertical or convertible model is worth considering if worktop space is limited. However, measure the space needed for the appliance and to open the drawers, then check that each compartment can hold the dishes you usually cook.
Start with the food you want to cook in one go, then compare its size and cooking settings with the appliance’s compartments. Next, consider how much room it will take up in your kitchen and how it performs with similar recipes.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Internal dimensions, the shape of the cavity and the size of baking tins. Check the recommended load for the food you plan to cook, rather than relying on the stated litre capacity alone. | I want my dish or portions to fit in one cook, without having to split the meal into several batches. |
| Cooking two dishes | Independent settings, the capacity of each zone and the synchronisation function. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary between zones. | The main and side dish need different settings, but I’d like to serve them at the same time. |
| Basket format | A single basket for one cooking cavity; a removable divider if you alternate between a large dish and two separate preparations. For wider dishes, also compare their dimensions with those of a mini-oven format. | Some days I cook one large dish; on others, I make two separate parts of a meal. The configuration needs to suit both types of meal I actually cook. |
| Space and cleaning | Appliance dimensions, clearance needed to open the drawers, how easy the baskets are to handle and cleaning instructions. Look for a noise measurement if the appliance will be used near a living area. | I need to be able to position, open and clean the appliance without it permanently cluttering up the kitchen. |
| Cooking performance and energy use | Tests using the same foods and comparable quantities; energy use measured for a specific recipe. UFC-Que Choisir found differences in cooking performance between the models it tested. | I’m looking for results that suit my recipes, without assuming cooking performance or energy use from the stated capacity. |
Two appliances with a similar stated capacity may have differently shaped cooking spaces. A baking tin, oven dish or bulky item may not fit in the cavity.
Note down the dimensions of the dishes that are trickiest to fit, then compare them with the internal dimensions and recommended loads in the instruction manual.
Separate zones let you use different settings, but their combined capacity isn’t the same as that of a single cavity. A convertible model only offers a larger space when the divider is removed.
If you alternate between cooking one large dish and two separate preparations, compare the size of the largest drawer with that of a convertible basket in both configurations.
Energy use depends on the food being cooked and the appliance it’s compared with, among other factors. UFC-Que Choisir’s measurements for a small quiche compared with a mini oven can’t predict the results for every family meal.
Look for measurements based on recipes and quantities similar to yours, with a clearly stated point of comparison.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but leave too little room to remove a full basket. Noise and cleaning also matter if you’ll be using it often.
Measure the space where the appliance will go and the clearance in front of it. Also check the instruction manual for guidance on handling and washing removable parts.
These examples show basket layouts worth comparing on specific models; they don’t represent the features of every appliance from a particular brand.
Two different configurations to consider: a convertible basket on the NA154/00 and stacked baskets on the NA461/00, according to Philips France’s product information.
The Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905D20 has two drawers of different sizes, according to Moulinex France.
When considering a Ninja model with two drawers, check the capacity of each zone against the main and side dishes you plan to cook.
These Joybuy options include models with two drawers, a convertible basket and a vertical design. To choose between them, check that each dish will fit in its compartment instead of comparing only the stated total capacities.
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Worth considering for meals split between two preparations. The stated total capacity is 9.5 l across two separate drawers; check the internal dimensions of each one if you’re cooking something bulky. The model name indicates six cooking modes.
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Another two-drawer option for cooking different parts of a meal at the same time. Its stated 7.6 l capacity is the total for both drawers: check the size of each one against your portions and make sure you have room to open them. The model name indicates six cooking modes.
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Its convertible basket is worth considering if you alternate between cooking one large dish and two separate preparations. The stated total capacity is 10 l; check the internal dimensions in each configuration before choosing a baking tin or dividing up a meal.
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Its two stacked chambers make it possible to cook two separate preparations. The stated 12 l is the total capacity, not the capacity for one large dish; check the size of each chamber and the appliance dimensions. The model name indicates ten pre-set programmes.
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Worth considering when two parts of a meal need separate settings. The stated 9 l capacity is split between two baskets, so check their dimensions against your dishes. The model name indicates eight pre-set programmes and a power rating of 2,400 W.
Start with the dish and the quantity you want to cook in one go, then check the internal dimensions and recommended load in the instruction manual. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol uses set quantities, including a basket filled to two-thirds for its test of the maximum quantity of chips. So the stated litre capacity alone doesn’t tell you enough about how much you can cook.
No. Two drawers are most useful if your meals regularly include two preparations that need different settings. For one large dish, compare its dimensions with those of a single basket or convertible cavity instead; two separate drawers don’t make one large cavity.
No. It coordinates the end times of two programmes, but you still need to check the food as it cooks. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary depending on which zone you use.
No. You can’t apply the result for one recipe to every meal. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir reports that the air fryers in its test used 36% less electricity on average than the mini oven used as a comparison. Look for measurements based on the preparations and quantities you’re interested in.
Before use, check the model identification, instruction manual and handling guidance, especially when the baskets are hot. In France, the DGCCRF explains that the CE marking represents the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the applicable European requirements; it doesn’t replace reading the warnings specific to the appliance.