Households of four
If you regularly prepare side dishes, check how much fits in the basket without having to cook in several batches. Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four; the shape of the food and the cooking surface matter too.
Who are these options for?
Hosts serving two dishes
Two drawers let you keep a main dish and a side separate. Compare the capacity of each drawer, especially if one of your dishes takes up considerably more room, and check the selected model’s synchronised cooking functions.
Fans of deep-frying
If your doughnuts or other recipes need to be cooked in a bath of oil, a deep-fat fryer is designed for the job. A filtration system and sealed container, such as those described by SEB for the Oleoclean Pro, can make it easier to store the oil between uses, but you’ll still need to handle it.
What should you check before choosing?
Deep-fat fryer
Consider it: for recipes that need to be cooked immersed in oil.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill it, let it cool, store and replace the oil in line with the instructions.
Family-sized air fryer
Consider it: for hot-air cooking, especially if two drawers would help you cook different foods separately.
Bear in mind: it won’t replicate every type of deep-frying, and the advertised capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much usable cooking space you’ll have.
Your existing oven
Stick with it: if it already cooks the recipes you have in mind in the quantities you need.
Compare: the space available and the benefits of cooking in separate batches before adding another appliance.
Start with two or three meals you actually serve: your recipes determine the cooking method, then your portions tell you what capacity to look for.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recipes | Identify the dishes that need a bath of oil, then those that can be cooked with hot air or in your oven. Don’t assume all three methods will give you the same results. | I make doughnuts by deep-frying, so a deep-fat fryer suits that recipe. For my roasted dishes, I’ll also see what my oven can already do. |
| Portions | Compare the cooking surface, basket shape and recommended quantities for your food, not just the total capacity in litres. | If I want to serve everyone at once, I need to know whether the main dish and side will fit in a single batch. |
| Separate cooking | For a model with two drawers or bowls, check their individual sizes and independent settings, plus any synchronised cooking feature you need. | My two dishes need different settings, so each compartment needs to suit its dish—not just add up to a large total capacity. |
| Cleaning and care | Check the instructions for removable parts and how to wash them. With a deep-fat fryer, also check the guidance on filtering, storing and replacing the oil. | After a shared meal, I’d rather know how to clean the appliance and store the oil before choosing. |
| Space and safety | Measure the space you have in mind and check the instructions for the exact model, including installation, cooling and handling hot parts. | I need to be able to set up and put away the appliance without overlooking the safety advice in its instructions. |
Which pitfalls should you avoid?
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Going by capacity in litres alone
The advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee that your food will fit in the arrangement you want. If the basket is too small for your meal, you may have to cook several batches.
Think of two meals you usually serve to guests, then check the usable surface and dimensions, along with the recommended quantities for those foods.
Cooking in successive batches takes longer and delays serving.
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Expecting an air fryer to handle every deep-fried dish
Hot-air cooking isn’t the same as deep-frying. So it won’t work in the same way for recipes that specifically call for a bath of oil.
Sort your recipes by cooking method before comparing an air fryer, a deep-fat fryer and the oven you already own.
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Underestimating oil management
A deep-fat fryer requires you to follow the filling levels and handling precautions. Filtering or storing the oil doesn’t mean you can ignore the appliance’s instructions.
Read the instructions for your chosen model before buying, especially the guidance on filling, cooling, filtering, storing and replacing the oil.
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Assuming you’ll save energy
A claim about an appliance doesn’t tell you what will happen when you cook your meals: the quantity you prepare and the number of batches will affect the comparison.
Compare the quantities you actually cook, the batches you’ll need and the conditions behind any published measurements for the appliances you’re considering.
A few brands to know
SEB
SEB offers deep-fat fryers as well as hot-air Actifry appliances. Its oil-based range is worth considering if storing the oil between uses matters to you.
- SEB says the Oleoclean Pro FR804000 filters the oil and lets you store it in an airtight container.
- You’ll still need to follow the model’s instructions when filling the fryer and handling hot oil.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes models with two drawers for cooking different dishes separately.
- Moulinex lists drawer capacities of 5,2 L and 3,1 L for the Easy Fry Dual Essential EZ901820.
- Check that each drawer suits your portions and that you have room for the appliance in your kitchen.
Philips
Philips offers air fryers with a single basket or two baskets, including models that let you cook two foods separately.
- Philips lists one 6 L basket and one 3 L basket for the NA352/00.
- Philips’ cleaning instructions say to let the appliance cool for around 30 minutes and avoid using metal or abrasive utensils on non-stick coatings.
Appliances for shared meals
These Joybuy options include air fryers with two baskets and deep-fat fryers with two bowls. First choose the cooking method that suits your recipes, then check the space available and the portions each model can handle.
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Philips NA351/00 Series 3000, two baskets, 9 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes separately in an air fryer. The advertised total capacity is 9 L; check how much usable space each basket offers for your food and the NA351/00 installation instructions.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Its two drawers let you cook different dishes separately for a shared meal. The model name lists six functions and a total capacity of 7,6 L; check the usable space in each drawer and how much room you’ll need to set up the appliance.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L, 2400 W
The two baskets are designed for cooking two foods at the same time. The model name lists eight programmes and independent temperature control; check the portion sizes each basket can handle and the placement instructions.
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Hkoenig DFX600, two 3 L bowls, 3600 W
Worth considering for two dishes that need to be deep-fried. The model has two independent thermostats and odour filters, although these don’t guarantee an odour-free experience. Check the space available and the guidance on handling hot oil.
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Livoo DOC217, two 3 L bowls, 3300 W
Its two bowls let you deep-fry separate dishes for a shared meal. Before choosing this model, check the quantities suited to your food, the appliance’s dimensions and the instructions for filling and cleaning it.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer do you need for four people?
Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four. This is only a guide and doesn’t guarantee that a whole meal will fit in one go: also check the basket’s surface area, the size of the food and how many dishes you need to serve.
Is an air fryer always easier to clean than a deep-fat fryer?
Not necessarily: cleaning depends on the parts and the model’s instructions. Compare the removable parts and how to wash them. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to consider how to store and replace the oil.
How do you clean a Philips air fryer without damaging its coating?
Philips says to let the Airfryer cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning and to avoid using metal or abrasive utensils on non-stick surfaces. Check your model’s instructions for details of removable parts and approved cleaning methods.
Can you leave oil in a deep-fat fryer between uses?
It depends on the instructions for your chosen fryer. For some models, SEB describes storing filtered oil in an airtight container. Check the method, storage conditions and when to replace the oil in your appliance’s instructions.
Is there any benefit to an air fryer if you already have an oven?
Not necessarily. Que Choisir says an air fryer can cook food that could already be cooked in an oven. Before adding another appliance, compare your usual quantities, the space available and whether you need to cook two dishes separately.