Cooks who need to free up the hob
You’re preparing a fried side dish alongside other food, so the choice is between heating oil separately and air frying. UFC-Que Choisir says an electric fryer leaves the hob free for other cooking.
Who is this choice for?
Households that fry food regularly
You want to keep deep-frying while reducing the effort involved in handling the bowl and oil between meals. Compare how each specific model filters, collects and cleans the oil, and don’t assume that a filter will eliminate all odours.
Occasional cooks or anyone short on space
You’re weighing up an extra appliance against using a pan on the hob, taking storage and cleaning into account. If you have an induction hob, check compatibility for the exact model: De Buyer’s La Lyonnaise pan is not suitable for induction.
What to compare before you buy
Traditional deep fryer for the hob
Choose this if: you fry food occasionally and have a free hob ring during the meal.
Bear in mind: it takes up a hob ring, and you’ll need to handle and manage the oil.
Electric deep fryer
Choose this if: deep-frying is important to you and you want to keep the hob free.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for the appliance and will have to manage the oil after use.
Air fryer
Choose this if: your dishes are suited to this cooking method, particularly if you want to cook two foods separately.
Bear in mind: air frying isn’t the same as deep-frying, and each food needs to fit in its compartment.
First decide whether you want to deep-fry. Then compare how much space each option takes up and how easy it is to clean. For multi-drawer appliances, check how much room is actually available in each compartment.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the hob free | How many things you need to cook at the same time and, for an appliance with two drawers, the capacity of each compartment. | When I’m preparing several parts of a meal at once, I want to avoid reserving a hob ring for frying. Around 33% of consumers prioritise coordinating different cooking tasks. |
| Cleaning and managing the oil | Removable parts, dishwasher-safe components, and how the oil is collected and stored. | If I fry food often, I consider the work involved after each use and how to manage the oil. Around 27% of consumers put cleaning and oil management first. |
| Deep-frying | The cooking method you want, the oil capacity and the stated food capacity, which are two different measurements. | When I want to deep-fry, an air fryer doesn’t meet the same need. Around 20% of consumers prioritise deep-frying in oil. |
| Space and occasional use | Where you’ll use and store the appliance, as well as hob compatibility if you choose a traditional pan. | If I rarely fry food, I want to avoid an extra appliance taking up space permanently. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a compact option for occasional use. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Expecting an air fryer to cook in the same way as hot oil
Air frying and deep-frying heat food differently, and results also vary between appliances.
Before comparing models, decide whether deep-frying is essential for the dishes you usually make.
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Treating two drawers as one large basket
The two compartments in the Moulinex Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20/K2A have different capacities: 5.2 L and 3.1 L, according to Moulinex. Each dish needs to fit in its own drawer.
Compare the dimensions and quantity of each dish with the capacity of its compartment, rather than relying on the total stated volume.
If a dish is too large for its drawer, you may need to cook it in several batches.
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Assuming a filter or removable bowl means no cleaning is needed
UFC-Que Choisir says filter performance varies and odours can escape when you handle the appliance in certain ways. You’ll also need to clean it and manage the used oil.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, the type of filter and the instructions for collecting the oil. ADEME recommends letting it cool and placing it in a sealed container; check what disposal options your local authority offers.
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Assuming a steel pan will work on an induction hob
The material alone doesn’t tell you whether a pan is compatible with induction. De Buyer says its La Lyonnaise pan isn’t suitable for this type of hob.
Check the stated compatibility of the exact model and make sure the cookware sits securely on the hob ring you plan to use.
Brands to consider by cooking method
These models illustrate different cooking options. The features mentioned apply to the ranges or models specified, not to every product from each brand.
SEB
Worth comparing if you’re looking for an electric oil fryer with a filtration system, such as the Oleoclean Pro.
- SEB states that this model has a 3.5 L bowl and can hold up to 1.2 kg of food.
- Filtration doesn’t remove the need to use and manage a bath of oil after cooking. Check the care instructions for the model you choose.
Tefal
The Oleo Clean Inox & Design FR804015 is worth comparing if you’re looking for an electric oil fryer with filtration.
- Tefal states that it holds 3.5 L of oil and 1.2 kg of food, and has removable parts that are dishwasher-safe.
- A summary of reviews hosted by the brand mentions cleaning and the appliance’s size, but doesn’t establish how often these concerns come up.
De Buyer
Worth considering for traditional hob-top frying, with frying pans and baskets.
- This option avoids adding an electric fryer to your worktop.
- De Buyer says its La Lyonnaise pan isn’t suitable for induction; check the compatibility of each model.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20/K2A is worth comparing if you want to air-fry two dishes in separate compartments.
- Moulinex states that it has one 5.2 L drawer and one 3.1 L drawer, with dishwasher-safe drawers and racks.
- The two capacities don’t combine to form one large bowl; each dish needs to fit in its own drawer.
Philips
The 3000 Series NA352/24 is worth comparing if you want to air-fry in two baskets.
- Philips describes this model as having two different-sized baskets and synchronised cooking end times.
- Check the exact model suffix: similar model numbers shouldn’t be assumed to have the same features without confirmation.
Joybuy products for these uses
This selection includes electric deep fryers for cooking different foods at the same time, as well as air fryers with multiple compartments. These options don’t offer the same cooking method.
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Livoo DOC217, deep fryer with two 3 L bowls
Worth considering if you’re looking for an electric deep fryer that lets you cook different foods without reserving a hob ring.
The model name indicates two 3 L bowls and a power rating of 3,300 W. The product information warns that the oil and bowls get very hot, so don’t leave the appliance unattended while it’s in use.
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Hkoenig DFX600, deep fryer with two 3 L baskets
Worth comparing if you want to keep deep-frying while cooking two foods separately.
The model name indicates two 3 L baskets, a power rating of 3,600 W, two independent thermostats and removable baskets. The product information recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning and not leaving it unattended.
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Cuisinart AFD10XBLE, Dual-Zone air fryer
Worth comparing if your dishes are suited to air frying and you want to cook them separately in two zones.
The product information describes two cooking zones and explains that air frying isn’t the same as deep-frying.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, 9 L air fryer
Worth looking at if you can cook two foods separately using hot air rather than deep-frying them.
The model name indicates a 9 L capacity, a power rating of 2,400 W, a touchscreen and independent temperature control. Air frying is still different from frying food in oil.
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OYAJIA, air fryer with two baskets
Worth considering if you want to air-fry two dishes separately and this cooking method suits the food you’re preparing.
The model name indicates two baskets with independent temperature control and a touchscreen. This isn’t a deep fryer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any traditional deep fryer on an induction hob?
No. Check that the exact model is compatible with your hob. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the material of the bowl, and De Buyer says its La Lyonnaise pan isn’t suitable for induction.
What should I check to use an oil fryer safely?
Make sure the appliance or cookware is stable on the surface or hob ring you plan to use, and keep hot oil out of children’s reach. UFC-Que Choisir highlights stability as something to watch when using a traditional fryer on a gas hob. The fire service also warns of the risk of burns from hot liquids.
Will an odour filter prevent smells at every stage?
No. UFC-Que Choisir says filter performance varies, and odours can escape when handling the basket in certain ways. Bear this in mind when choosing where to use and store your fryer.
How should I dispose of used cooking oil in France?
ADEME advises against pouring oil down the sink, toilet or into the environment. Let it cool, put it in a sealed container and check what collection options your local authority offers.
What warranty applies to an appliance bought from a retailer in France?
For goods sold by a business to an individual, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory and is the seller’s responsibility, according to the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance. It is separate from any commercial or manufacturer’s warranty.
Is the CE mark an independent safety certification?
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration of compliance for products covered by the relevant regulations; it isn’t a certification mark. Check the information that applies to the appliance in question, without assuming this requirement applies to every traditional utensil.