To serve a main course and a side dish that need different cooking times, choose a dual-drawer air fryer, after checking how much space each drawer offers. If you mainly make chips in oil, compare the quantities you can cook per batch and the maintenance required. For quiches, gratins and other dishes in a large container, consider a compact oven with a single cavity instead. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can cook.
The kind of meal you make matters as much as the number of people you’re cooking for: two separate dishes, a large batch of chips and a dish to share all need different amounts of cooking space.
A dual-drawer air fryer lets you set different cooking settings for each drawer. If both dishes need to be ready at the same time, check that your chosen model has a synchronisation function and that each drawer can hold its share of the meal.
For chips, compare the stated quantity per batch in kilograms as well as the capacity of the cooking chamber. Gifam’s guide to family-sized appliances is 1 kg of chips cooked at once for four people. This is a useful benchmark, but it doesn’t guarantee the portions an individual appliance can handle.
For a quiche, gratin or dish in a single container, check the cavity and the dimensions of the dishes that fit in a compact oven. Two separate drawers don’t create one large, continuous cooking space.
Start with the meal you cook most often, then check that its shape and size suit the cooking space, the room you have available and the appliance’s cleaning requirements.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable portions | Compare the stated quantity for the food you’re cooking, the capacity of each compartment and the internal dimensions. Gifam’s guide of 1 kg of chips cooked for four people applies to chips, not a complete meal. | I want to cook my usual portions without having to make multiple batches, whether I’m preparing one food or several dishes. |
| Meal preparation | For two foods with different cooking times or temperatures, check that you can set each compartment separately and, if needed, synchronise them. For a single dish, focus on the available continuous cooking space. | I want to serve a main course and side dish together. On the other hand, a large quiche needs to fit in the appliance whole. |
| Cleaning and odours | Check exactly which parts are removable and which the instructions say are dishwasher-safe. For a deep-fat fryer, also look at the bowl, filter and how to handle the oil after cooking. | If I use the appliance often, how easy it is to clean after each meal and manage odours will affect my choice. |
| Space and safety | Check the external dimensions, the room needed to open the drawers or door, and the clearance distances specified in the instructions for the exact model. | I need to be able to position and open the appliance where I plan to use it, especially beneath wall cabinets. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare measurements taken using the same method and for a similar cooking task. UFC-Que Choisir assesses air fryer noise, energy use and safety separately: capacity alone doesn’t tell you how an appliance performs in these areas. | I want to understand what to expect when using the appliance, rather than making assumptions about noise or energy use based on a general claim. |
In an appliance with two drawers, the capacity is split between them, so a large item may not fit in either compartment. The number of people an appliance is said to serve also depends on the dish and portion size.
Check the capacity and usable dimensions of each drawer. For chips, also compare the stated quantities in kilograms, where available.
Separate drawers make it easy to cook two dishes differently, but they don’t create one continuous cavity for a quiche or large gratin.
Before choosing, compare the size of your dish with the internal space of a single-bowl appliance or compact oven.
Results vary according to the food, quantity, programme and appliance used for comparison. Moulinex’s energy comparison for its Easy Fry Dual XXL is based on a 2024 test using frozen chips; it doesn’t cover every type of cooking.
To assess how it will work for you, look for measurements of a similar dish taken using the same method.
The appliance itself isn’t the only thing that needs space: you also need to allow for drawers, the door and the required clearances.
Check the instructions for the exact model and make sure the space you have in mind is suitable before ordering. If noise matters in your kitchen, look for measurements for the specific model too.
These product range examples show different formats. Check the specifications for the exact model you’re interested in.
Moulinex describes its Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942HF0 as having two drawers, with capacities of 6.5 L and 4.5 L, for cooking two ingredients separately.
Philips describes its 3000 Series Airfryer NA352/24 as having a large drawer for the main course and a smaller one for the side dish.
Tefal describes its Super Uno deep-fat fryer as having a capacity of up to 1.5 kg.
SEB lists its New Délice XL OF281811 fan-assisted countertop oven as having a single 39 L cavity.
This selection includes dual-compartment air fryers for cooking two dishes separately, as well as a two-basket deep-fat fryer. For each appliance, check that the usable dimensions and cleaning requirements suit the meals you usually cook. A deep-fat fryer works differently from an air fryer.
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The two drawers let you cook a main course and side dish separately. The product title lists a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. Check that each drawer has enough room for your portions and that you can meet the clearance requirements in the instructions.
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If you want to serve two dishes together, the different-sized baskets and synchronisation function listed on the Joybuy product page for the NA351/00 are worth a closer look. The stated 9 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you how many portions it can cook, so check the size of each basket and the installation instructions for the NA351/00.
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This model has two baskets with independent temperature controls, which is useful when different foods need different cooking settings. The product title lists a total capacity of 9 L, 2400 W and eight programmes. Check the dimensions of each basket, the space required and the cleaning instructions.
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This deep-fat fryer has two independent thermostats for cooking two batches separately. The two 3 L capacities refer to the bowls, not a guaranteed quantity of food per batch. Check the recommended portions for the dishes you plan to cook, and take care when handling and maintaining hot oil.
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The two chambers let you cook different foods separately. The stated 9 L refers to the total capacity, so check how it’s split between the chambers, whether there’s a synchronisation function, the cleaning instructions and the space required before choosing this model for your meals.
Compare the dishes you usually cook with the stated food capacity and usable dimensions of the bowl or each drawer, rather than relying on the number of litres alone. Gifam’s family-size guide is 1 kg of chips cooked at once for four people. This figure won’t necessarily apply to other foods or to a particular model.
Not if your dish needs to stay whole and won’t fit in either drawer. Two compartments are mainly for separating foods that need different settings, so check the internal dimensions before planning to cook a large dish or joint.
Check which baskets, racks, bowls and lids are removable, then see in the instructions which parts are dishwasher-safe. For a deep-fat fryer, a filter and removable bowl can make some tasks easier, but you’ll still need to maintain and handle the oil.
The ministry responsible for the ecological transition lists three collection options for electrical equipment: a collection point or recycling centre, a retailer, or a social and solidarity economy organisation. Choose an option that suits the condition of your appliance and the services available locally.