To avoid cooking in batches for family meals, start by considering the shape of the dishes you cook and whether you need to prepare two things separately. One large drawer gives you a single, uninterrupted space, while two zones let you cook a main and a side dish separately. Capacity figures alone won’t tell you which is right for you: check the usable dimensions, the space it’ll take up in your kitchen, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean.
If you mainly cook a large quantity of one ingredient or a substantial dish, check the drawer’s width and usable capacity before looking at the number of programmes. Que Choisir points out that the usable capacity determines how much you can cook.
If your main and side dish need different settings or cooking times, compare models with two independent drawers and those with adjustable baskets. Make sure each zone can hold the portion you have in mind.
In a small or open-plan kitchen, the space needed to open the drawers, available height, storage and noise can matter just as much as the stated capacity. Que Choisir also recommends considering fan noise.
To avoid cooking in batches, choose a format that suits the meals you usually make, then check that its dimensions and cleaning requirements work for your kitchen.
Worth considering: if you mainly cook one large dish or a substantial quantity of one ingredient.
Bear in mind: one drawer can’t cook two recipes with independent settings.
Worth considering: if your main and side dishes need separate cooking and you want them ready at the same time.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the drawers, so a large joint may not fit in either one.
Worth considering: if you alternate between cooking one large dish and preparing two dishes separately.
Bear in mind: with the divider in place, each zone has less room than the full drawer.
Worth considering: if you often cook wide dishes or want to use compatible racks and trays.
Bear in mind: check that you have room for it on your worktop; this format doesn’t necessarily offer two independently controlled zones.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the drawer’s width and the recommended load for your recipes, not just the stated capacity in litres. | If I want to cook all the portions of a large dish without starting the appliance again, I need a drawer that suits their shape. Around 36 % of consumers would prioritise this genuinely usable capacity. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the settings for each zone, whether they can be synchronised and the size of the smaller compartment. | To serve the main and side dishes together despite different cooking times, I’d prioritise two zones that can each hold my portions. Around 29 % of consumers would put this first. |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance with the drawers closed and open. If you have an open-plan kitchen, check the noise level while it’s running. | I need to be able to open the drawers without getting in the way in the kitchen, and be comfortable with the noise while it’s cooking. Around 21 % of consumers would put these space and comfort considerations first. |
| Cleaning and everyday use | Find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and, if comparing energy use, look for figures based on specific recipes. | If I use the appliance every day, cleaning and the energy it uses for my meals matter more than extra features. Around 14 % of consumers would prioritise these aspects. |
A high capacity in litres doesn’t guarantee that a wide dish or your usual portions will fit in the drawer. Que Choisir distinguishes between the stated capacity and the space you can actually use.
Think of two or three meals you make regularly. For the model you’re considering, check the internal dimensions, recommended load and examples of suitable dishes in the instruction manual.
Two compartments make it easier to cook dishes separately, but their combined capacity doesn’t give you one large, continuous space.
If a large joint or wide dish is often on the menu, compare its dimensions with each drawer, then consider a single or adjustable drawer instead.
A family air fryer may fit on your worktop but still need more depth to let you use the drawers comfortably. Fan noise also matters in an open-plan kitchen, as Que Choisir points out.
Measure the space you’ll need to use and store the appliance. If noise is a deciding factor, look for a reading taken while it’s running.
Energy-use comparisons depend on factors such as the recipe and the appliances being compared. Que Choisir’s testing protocol records energy use for specific cooking tasks.
To compare two models on this point, look at figures measured under clearly stated conditions rather than relying on a general claim.
Its range lets you compare an adjustable basket with two stacked baskets, to suit family meals with different shapes.
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 is an example of a dual-drawer model with two different-sized drawers.
The Easy Fry Mega EY855BE0 offers one large drawer rather than two independently controlled cooking zones.
This dual-drawer model is suited to households that want to cook a main and a side dish separately. Check that each one fits in its own drawer.
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Worth considering if you want to split two dishes between two drawers for a family meal. The stated total capacity is 9,5 L, and the baskets are listed as dishwasher-safe. Check the internal dimensions of each drawer and the space needed to open them before relying on it to cook everything in one batch.
No. Check the drawer’s shape and usable dimensions, as well as the recommended quantities for your recipes. Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can cook. A claim such as “up to 8 people” is still the manufacturer’s estimate, so compare it with the portions you usually serve.
Only if each dish fits in its own drawer. Separate settings and, depending on the model, a synchronisation function can help you serve both dishes together. But check the capacity of each compartment rather than the combined total.
Check a noise reading taken while the model you’re considering is running. Que Choisir includes noise in its tests and notes that a brief listen in a shop may not reflect what it’s like to use the appliance every day.
If you bought it from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity may apply if the appliance doesn’t match its description. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this mandatory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can contact the seller.