For varied meals, choose a single-drawer air fryer if you usually cook one item at a time. Two independent cooking zones are a better fit if your main and side dishes often need different settings. A deep fat fryer meets a different need: frying food in oil, with the extra handling and cleaning involved. Whichever you choose, compare the portions you plan to cook with the load stated in the manual, then check the available space, cleaning requirements and noise level.
If the two foods need different cooking times or temperatures, compare models with independent zones and check whether they can synchronise the end of cooking. Also make sure each drawer can hold the portion intended for it.
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how much of your usual food will fit in the drawer. Compare the recommended load in the manual, the shape of the basket and the dimensions of any dish you want to use.
Measure the space you have in mind, taking the model’s ventilation instructions into account. Noise is worth considering too: UFC-Que Choisir highlights it as a particular concern in open-plan kitchens and small spaces.
Start with the meals you cook most often. They’ll help you decide which type to look at, then what capacity and practical considerations to check.
Consider this if: you usually cook one dish or side at a time.
Limitation: a single drawer can’t give two foods different settings at the same time.
Consider this if: you often cook two parts of a meal at the same time using different settings.
Limitation: the total capacity may be split between drawers of different sizes, and neither may offer the space of one large drawer.
Consider this if: your main priority is frying food in oil.
Bear in mind: handling, cooling, cleaning and disposing of the oil add extra tasks that come with this type of fryer.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and shape | Compare the recommended load in the manual with your usual quantities. Check the drawer’s shape and, for a dual-zone model, the capacity of each drawer. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the quantity of chips recommended in the manual and a larger load. | I want to cook my usual portions without finding that a dish or a large item won’t fit in the basket. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check whether the settings are independent and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you need one. Think about which food will actually go in each zone. | When my main and side need different settings, I want to cook them at the same time and serve them together. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts the manual says are dishwasher-safe. Also look for instructions on cleaning the interior, heating element and any non-stick coatings. | After a meal, I’d prefer cleaning to fit my routine, without assuming that removable parts cover every cleaning task. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space for the appliance, allowing for the clearances specified in its manual. If noise matters, look for a measurement taken while it’s running; UFC-Que Choisir measures this at 0.50 m in its test protocol. | My kitchen is small or open-plan, so the appliance needs to fit properly and its noise level is worth comparing. |
| Heat and oil | Read the installation and handling instructions for your chosen model. With a deep fat fryer, also allow for cooling, cleaning and disposing of used oil. | If I choose to fry in oil, I need to be able to handle and maintain the appliance safely, taking care around hot surfaces and oil. |
The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your quiche, cake or usual portion of chips will fit in one batch. UFC-Que Choisir also tests different quantities of chips as part of its test protocol.
Make a note of two or three meals you cook regularly, then compare their quantities and containers with the recommended load and the shape of the drawer.
For the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20, Moulinex lists one 5.2 l drawer and one 3.1 l drawer. The total capacity doesn’t mean you can put a large item in either drawer.
Decide which food would go in each drawer and check their dimensions and functions separately.
Washing the removable parts won’t automatically clean the interior or heating element. For its Airfryers, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products.
Check the cleaning instructions for the exact model, especially for non-removable parts and coatings.
A removable bowl doesn’t eliminate the need to handle hot oil and hot surfaces. The INRS highlights risks including burns and splashes when draining and cleaning fryers in professional settings; these tasks also call for care at home.
If you choose a deep fat fryer, make sure you have a stable place for it and follow the manual’s instructions for cooling, cleaning and disposing of used oil.
You’ll also need to allow for cooking oil and replace it according to how you use the fryer.
These examples show different types of appliance; their features don’t apply to every model from the same brand.
The 2000 Series is an example of a single-drawer air fryer, with a stated capacity of 6.2 l to compare with your portions.
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 shows what to expect from a two-drawer model for cooking a main and a side.
The Super Uno is a useful point of comparison if your priority is an electric deep fat fryer.
These Joybuy models include dual-compartment air fryers for cooking different foods at the same time, as well as a single-drawer model for cooking one item at a time. Compare their stated capacities with your portions and check the manual for the model you choose before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main and a side in two separate drawers. The product listing names six functions and a total capacity of 9.5 l. Check the manual for the suitable load for each food, the installation requirements and the plug type for use in France.
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Another two-drawer option for cooking different parts of a meal at the same time, with a stated total capacity of 7.6 l and six functions. Check the recommended load for each drawer and the installation instructions. For cleaning, consult the manual to find out exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Its two baskets and independent temperature control are worth considering if you’re preparing different foods. The title states a total capacity of 9 l, 2,400 W and eight programmes. Check the manual for how the capacity is split, the recommended loads and the installation requirements.
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This two-chamber design is worth comparing if you cook several parts of a meal at the same time. It has a stated total capacity of 9 l, with ten modes listed in the title. Check the capacity and recommended load for each chamber before deciding whether it suits your portions.
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This single-basket model is worth considering if you cook one item at a time. The title lists a 2 l capacity and a 60-minute timer. Compare the recommended load with your portions and check the dimensions, plug type and installation instructions before buying.
Compare your portions and the shape of your dishes with the recommended load in the manual, rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. UFC-Que Choisir tests chips using the quantity recommended in the manual and then with the basket two-thirds full, as well as testing other foods. These loads don’t represent a single capacity that applies to every food.
Two independent zones are useful if you often cook different foods at the same time that need different settings. Check for a synchronisation function if you want them to finish together, and make sure there’s enough room in each drawer. For example, Moulinex lists capacities of 5.2 l and 3.1 l for the two compartments of the EZ901N20.
They can make it easier to wash the parts concerned, but they won’t clean the interior or heating element. Follow your model’s manual for cooling and cleaning. Philips, for example, recommends avoiding metal utensils and abrasive cleaners on the coatings of its Airfryers.
Measure the space you have in mind and follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model. If you have an open-plan kitchen or a small space, also look for a test that measures noise while the appliance is running. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise as an important factor and measures it at 0.50 m in its test protocol.
Take the electrical appliance to an appropriate collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment. France’s ministry responsible for the ecological transition says that a collection and recycling scheme for household appliances operates in France. Look for a suitable collection point or a take-back option when replacing your appliance.