For a large batch of the same dish, start by looking at an air fryer with one large basket. If you want to cook two dishes with different settings, consider a dual-compartment model or one with a removable divider. A deep fryer offers a different way to cook, but you’ll need to handle and dispose of the oil. Whichever you choose, compare the usable cooking space, the appliance’s footprint and the parts you’ll need to clean.
If your main course and side dish need different settings, an appliance with two cooking zones can let you cook them separately. Check the usable space in each zone and look for a sync function if you want both dishes to be ready at the same time.
If your priority is to avoid cooking in several batches, check the basket’s usable size and see how much room your usual ingredients take up. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions you can cook at once.
A family-sized deep fryer suits this cooking method if you can also allow time to cool the oil, clean the appliance and dispose of the used oil. Compare the oil capacity and stated food capacity separately.
Start with the meals you make most often: a large batch, two separate dishes, or a mix of both. The space on your worktop and how easy the appliance is to clean can then help you decide.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| A large batch | Basket capacity and usable dimensions; stated food capacity, where available. | When I’m mainly cooking the same dish for everyone at home, I want to know whether it will fit without needing several batches. Around 27% of consumers put cooking a full batch at once at the top of their list. |
| Two separate cooking zones | Capacity of each compartment; independent settings and a sync function, if needed. | If I’m serving a main course and a side dish with different cooking times, I want to manage each one without waiting for the other to finish. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Flexibility and space | Capacity with and without the divider, if included; external dimensions and clearance needed to open the appliance. | Depending on the menu, I sometimes need one large cooking space and sometimes two zones, but the appliance still needs to fit in my kitchen. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this balance between flexibility and size. |
| Deep-frying and maintenance | Oil and food capacity; removable parts and a local way to dispose of used oil. | If I want to deep-fry, I also need to be able to deal with the oil afterwards. For around 20% of consumers, this cooking method and the maintenance it involves are the main considerations. |
On a model with two drawers, the capacity is split between them, so a large ingredient needs to fit in one drawer. Conversely, one large cooking compartment won’t necessarily let you cook two dishes with independent settings.
Make a note of the dishes you cook most often, then compare their dimensions with each compartment and check how many batches you’ll need.
Having two zones doesn’t guarantee independent settings or a function that makes both cooking cycles finish at the same time.
If these features matter for your meals, look for them explicitly in the product listing or manual for the model you’re considering.
A drawer may need clearance in front of the air fryer when you open it. Height and depth matter too, especially in a crowded kitchen.
Measure the space you have and the room needed to open the drawers and remove the baskets before comparing the models’ external dimensions.
Even with a filtration system, a deep fryer needs time for the oil to cool before you store or dispose of it. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet.
Have a sealed container ready for the cooled oil and find out where you can take it for collection locally.
Replacing the oil and possibly travelling to a collection point are also part of using the appliance.
These examples show different basket and cooking-compartment designs. The features listed apply to the specific models mentioned, not to every product from each brand.
The range featured here includes a large single basket and a cooking compartment with a removable divider.
The Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942BF0 shows how two drawers can be used to cook separate parts of a meal.
The Oleo Clean deep fryer featured here lets you consider the practicalities of deep-frying.
The appliances below are for meals where you want to cook two dishes separately: air fryers with two compartments and a deep fryer with two bowls. To choose between them, start with the cooking method you want, then check the usable space in each section.
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Worth considering if you cook two parts of a meal separately. The stated total capacity is 9.5 L, split between two drawers, so check the dimensions of each one against the ingredients you usually cook. The product name indicates that the baskets are dishwasher-safe.
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Worth comparing if you want to cook two dishes in separate drawers. The stated 7.6 L is the total capacity, not the capacity of a single drawer, so check the usable size of each one. If synchronised cooking is essential, check that this feature is available on the DZ300EU.
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Worth considering if you want to deep-fry in two separate bowls. The stated capacity is 3 L per bowl and the power rating is 3,300 W. Check the overall size before buying. After use, let the oil cool and arrange for it to be collected rather than pouring it down the drain.
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Worth considering for cooking two separate dishes when temperature control matters. The product is listed with two baskets, a total capacity of 9 L and independent temperature controls. Check the basket dimensions and cleaning instructions for this model.
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Worth comparing if you want to cook two parts of a meal in separate compartments. The 9 L refers to the total capacity, so check the usable space in each compartment against the dishes you make. Also check the external dimensions and cleaning instructions if these will affect your choice.
Look at the volume and usable dimensions rather than relying on the word “XXL”. For families, Que Choisir suggested in November 2025 a capacity of at least 6 L for four people and 9 L or more for more than five people. The shape of the basket and the food you’re cooking still determine how many batches you’ll need.
Two baskets are worth considering if you want to cook dishes that need different settings separately. One large compartment is better suited to cooking a larger quantity of the same dish. If you switch between these uses, check whether a compartment with a removable divider would suit you, and don’t assume that each section will retain the capacity of the whole compartment.
Check this for each model and every removable part. Read the manual before putting baskets, racks or dividers in the dishwasher: just because one part is dishwasher-safe, it doesn’t mean the others are too.
If you bought it from a professional seller, contact them with your proof of purchase to claim under the legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy says this statutory guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods; any commercial warranty is separate.
Let it cool, then put it in a sealed container. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet. Check with your local authority to find a collection point or recycling centre that accepts it.