To serve several portions of fried food in one batch, choose an oil fryer based on its stated food capacity, not just the amount of oil it holds. For example, Tefal France lists a capacity of up to 1.2 kg for some 3.5 L family models. If you want to cook two dishes at the same time without a bath of oil, a dual-basket air fryer meets a different need, but hot-air cooking won’t produce the same results as a traditional fryer. In either case, check that the portions suit your guests, that you have enough space and that you’re happy with the care the specific model requires.
If you want to avoid cooking batch after batch, compare the stated food capacity per cycle with your usual portion sizes. Tefal France lists a capacity of up to 1.2 kg of food and says some 3.5 L family models are suitable for 4 to 6 people; these figures don’t apply to every fryer.
If you use your fryer regularly, check how the oil is filtered, transferred and stored. Filtration, the storage container and the cool zone depend on the model you choose; they don’t remove the need to maintain the appliance and handle the oil carefully.
A dual-basket air fryer can help you cook a main and a side dish at the same time without a bath of oil. Philips France says the NA352/00 has 6 L and 3 L baskets; however, each basket’s capacity needs to suit the food you plan to cook in it. Cooking is still done with hot air.
Start with the quantities you need to serve and how many dishes you want to cook at once. Then consider oil management, cleaning and safe use.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and baskets | Compare the stated food capacity with the dish you plan to cook, then check the number and size of the baskets. Tefal France lists a capacity of up to 700 g for the 1 L Oleoclean Snack, compared with up to 1.2 kg for some 3.5 L family models. Philips France lists 6 L and 3 L baskets for the NA352/00; these volumes don’t indicate food weight. | I want to serve everyone without cooking batch after batch, or cook two dishes that need to be ready at the same time. |
| Oil and odours | For an oil fryer, check the filtration system, whether it has a sealed storage container and whether it includes a cool zone. De’Longhi France says the cool zone allows food particles to settle below the heating element, where they’re less likely to burn; it doesn’t replace filtration. Also check which model the odour filter is for and how it needs to be maintained. | If I reuse oil, I want to minimise handling and remove food particles, without assuming a filter will eliminate all odours. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and read the instructions to see which ones are actually dishwasher-safe. These are separate from the fryer’s heating unit or an air fryer’s heating element, which need to be cared for according to the specific model’s instructions. | After sharing a meal, I want to reach greasy areas and wash the parts designed for cleaning without damaging the appliance. |
| Controls and space | Check the controls and safety features of the model you’re considering, as well as how much space you’ll need to use and store it. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy; check the specific model’s details to see how it will fit in your kitchen. | I need to keep an eye on the cooking and leave enough space around the appliance, even when several guests are at the table. |
For an oil fryer, the litre measurement usually refers to the oil or bowl capacity, not a fixed amount of every type of food. Tefal France lists a capacity of up to 700 g of food for the 1 L Oleoclean Snack, and up to 1.2 kg for some 3.5 L models.
Compare the stated food capacity with what you plan to cook, your usual portion sizes and the basket’s filling instructions.
An odour filter needs to be maintained or replaced, depending on the model; filtering and storing the oil serve different purposes.
Check which filter is compatible, how to maintain it and whether the fryer has a sealed oil container.
SEB France recommends replacing its SS-994692 odour filter after around 80 uses on compatible appliances. Bear this maintenance in mind if you choose this filter.
Some removable parts may be dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean the heating unit or heating element is. Compatibility depends on the appliance and the individual part.
Check the instructions for the exact model and let the appliance cool before taking apart and cleaning the parts designed for this purpose.
Les Numériques describes an air fryer as being more like a fan oven than an oil fryer. The results you get with chips depend on the appliance and how they’re prepared, among other things.
Choose between the two cooking methods based on the results you want, the quantities you need to prepare and whether two independent baskets would be useful to you.
These features apply to the specific models mentioned, not to every appliance from each brand.
The range mentioned includes compact and family-sized oil fryers, as well as models with a cool zone.
Some SEB oil fryers combine family-sized capacity with oil management features.
The Cool Zone F44532CZ is an example of a large-capacity oil fryer with a cool zone.
The NA352/00 is a two-basket hot-air alternative for cooking food at the same time.
This selection includes oil fryers for cooking several portions or two dishes at once, as well as dual-basket air fryers for cooking two foods with hot air. Compare the stated capacities with the foods you plan to serve.
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Two baskets let you divide up the dishes for a meal shared with others. Check the usable capacity of each basket for your food: the 9 L total volume doesn’t indicate the weight of the portions it can cook. This air fryer cooks with hot air, not a bath of oil.
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The two baskets and independent thermostats are designed for cooking two foods at once. The model name mentions odour filters, but that doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking. Check the food capacity of each basket to work out portion sizes; this fryer requires you to manage the oil.
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The viewing window lets you keep an eye on the food without opening the lid every time. If you’re cooking for several people, check how much of your chosen food the fryer can hold: 3.5 L refers to the fryer’s volume, not a fixed number of portions.
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The two bowls make it easier to cook different foods at the same time when guests are waiting for different dishes. Compare their volume with the food capacity for each dish, and check the instructions for cleaning the parts. You’ll also need to handle the oil after cooking.
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The two baskets and independent temperature settings let you cook two dishes with hot air at the same time. Check that you have enough space and that each basket can hold the amount of food you need. Also check the cleaning instructions. The results won’t be the same as deep-frying in oil.
First, check the stated food capacity per cycle, not just the amount of oil it holds. Tefal France lists a capacity of up to 1.2 kg and says some 3.5 L models are suitable for 4 to 6 people, compared with up to 700 g for the 1 L Oleoclean Snack. Use these figures as a guide and take account of your portion sizes, the food you’re cooking and the filling limits in the instructions.
No. De’Longhi France says a cool zone lets food particles settle below the heating element, where they’re less likely to burn; filtration removes the food particles. If you reuse the oil, check separately whether the model has these features and follow its maintenance instructions.
Check whether the model has a compatible filter, how the oil is filtered and whether it can be stored in a sealed container. None of these features guarantees that there won’t be any odours. For its SS-994692 filter for compatible appliances, SEB France recommends replacing it after around 80 uses; follow the instructions for your specific filter.
Clean the basket and bowl according to the appliance instructions, then check the separate guidance for the heating element. Philips Assistance France recommends letting the Airfryer models it covers cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning. Don’t assume that removable dishwasher-safe parts mean the heating element is dishwasher-safe too.
It can help you cook two foods at once if each basket has enough room for your portions, but it won’t replicate deep-frying in oil. Les Numériques describes an air fryer as being similar to a fan oven. If you’re mainly looking for traditional deep-frying in large quantities, compare the stated food capacity per cycle of oil fryers instead.