Basket-Style vs Oven-Style Air Fryers for Large Families (All the Pros & Cons)
I’ve had several years’ worth of air fryers under my belt. I also have a large, six-person family living under one roof.
You’ve probably noticed that there are 2 main types of air fryers in the market: the basket style and the oven style air fryer. But since you have a large family, which one works best for you?
In this article, I go over my own experience with both devices for large families!
What style of air fryer is better for larger families?
The type of air fryer you choose for a large family is entirely dependent upon the difference between size, function, cleaning, and features. Large basket-style air fryers are great for large families because of their ease of use, are very affordable, have a small footprint, and how easy it is to keep clean and maintained. In contrast, an oven-style air fryer generally has a larger capacity and more functionality, but is also fairly easy to clean and maintain.
I recommend that if you have a really big family of 7 or more people, you should invest in a large oven-style air fryer. If you have a family of 5 or less, then the basket style air fryer is the way to go because it’s small, much more convenient, and easier to maintain. However, if you have a family somewhere in between (6-member family), then it really depends on your situation and preference.
Why do you need a large air fryer?
A large air fryer is necessary for households of four or more people. The size of the air fryer allows you to cook larger quantities at one time, which is ideal if you are feeding a large family. Additionally, many families find that an oven-style air fryer is better suited for their needs because it offers more cooking options.
Therefore, if you have a large family or like to entertain guests often, you will need a larger air fryer. A small air fryer is not big enough to cook for more than 3 to 4 people at a time.
There are many factors to consider when purchasing an air fryer. The size of the air fryer is important, as you need one that will fit all of your food. The size of the air fryer allows you to prepare large servings at once, which can save time and hassle. Also, if you are looking for an air fryer that can cook a variety of food items, then a large option is ideal. This can also save you lots of time.
Additionally, an air fryer with a pull-out tray is better than an air fryer with a bowl inside a viewing window because it is easier to take out the food and clean. However, some people would claim that cleaning a basket-style air fryer is much simpler than cleaning an oven-style one due to having fewer parts.
You need to make a lot of food
A large capacity air fryer is a great investment if you want to make a lot of food at once. They have a much larger cooking capacity than traditional air fryers, so you can cook more food in less time. This is a great option if you want to host a party or cook for a large family.
A large air fryer is perfect for cooking large quantities of food. The appliance is big enough to comfortably feed a family of 5 or more, making it a great choice for those who want to prepare meals in advance.
You need to save time
A big air fryer can cook more food faster, so if you want to save time in the kitchen, then consider purchasing one. Larger air fryers can help prevent you from cooking multiple batches of a meal.
You can easily find a solution to put all the different ingredients into a large air fryer and cook them all in a single session. This will save you plenty of time in the kitchen.
You need to make healthy food
Air-frying your food is a much healthier option than deep-frying it. The food is cooked by circulating hot air around it, which results in less oil being absorbed. This means that you can still enjoy your favorite foods without having to worry about the negative health effects of deep-fried foods.
Making healthy food choices is important for your wellbeing. A large air fryer can help you cook nutritious meals without all the added fat.
Processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt. Not to mention, they can also be packed with additives and preservatives. By cooking your own food using an air fryer, you’ll be able to avoid these processed foods and unhealthy ingredients. Plus, you’ll get to eat plenty of fresh produce, which is essential for a healthy diet.
The Pros and Cons of a Large Air Fryer Oven
Pros
Air fryer ovens are a great option if you are looking for a great appliance that is going to get dinner on the table for your large family faster. One of the first pros of the oven-style air fryer is that they are generally larger than the basket style. This means you are going to be able to cook more food, you are going to be able to cook a larger variety of foods, and you are going to be able to cook a better range of foods as well.
Another benefit is that with the oven-style air fryer, you can move the tray up and down to accommodate the food that you are cooking and to ensure that you are going to be able to fit the food properly and that there is enough space all the way around it.
Since the oven style does have a rack that is up off the bottom of the fryer, you are also not going to have to flip your food half way through when cooking, as the air is going to be able to circulate fully. On top of all that, air fryer ovens often come with a window so that you can see how the food is doing and adjust the cooking time based on that.
Finally, I think one of the biggest advantages when it comes to an oven-style air fryer may be the fact that they all have glass doors. These doors allow you to see right into the food that you’re cooking without ever opening it up. In fact, some oven air fryers have lights that you can turn on to visibly see how your meal is going without ever having to interrupt or pause the cooking process.
Cons
One of the biggest cons of an air fryer oven is that they are often much larger than the basket air fryers. If you have limited space, you may not have counter space for an oven style fryer. If you have issues with the overall size, you may want to opt for a basket fryer.
Another conis that these are almost always a great deal more expensive than the basket fryers. They are going to be a couple hundred dollars, and they do not come in a ton of sizes, so you cannot size down to save money or to save space.
Still, another issue is that these air fryers have mesh baskets, so they are not going to be great if you have anything that might drip down or that might fall through the mesh.
The Pros and Cons of a Large Basket Air Fryer
Pros
The first pro to consider is that a basket fryer is almost always going to cook your food faster. The reason for this is that it is fully closed and the cooking space is often much smaller. This means that the heating element and fan are not going to have as much space to heat and keep hot, so it takes less time and less energy to cook the food.
They are also more compact, so if you are limited on space, this might be a better option. The basket air fryers are also cheaper than the ovens as they are going to be smaller and they are also made without things like the door with the glass, the movable rack, and so on.
Cons
One major con is that these air fryers are going to be limiting in the amount of food and the shape of food that you can add to your air fryer. You are not going to be able to cook a full size pizza in a basket fryer.
Another drawback is that since it is a closed basket, you are not going to be able to glance in through the door to see if it is done. You also have to flip the food half way through to help encourage a fully crispy piece of food.
Cleaning and maintenance differences between basket and oven air fryers
Basket air fryer cleaning
The first thing you want to do is to find out if your basket is dishwasher safe or not. You may be able to put your basket in the dishwasher after you use it and then let that be the whole cleaning process.
For a basket fryer, you do want to make sure you clean the basket after every couple of uses. This is going to help make sure that grease and oils do not bake onto the surface of the basket and make it hard to clean. If you want to hand wash, take your basket out and wash it with warm soapy water and a very gentle sponge.
Since it does have a non-stick coating, you want to avoid scrubbing and abrasive sponges. Make sure your basket is fully dry before you put it away.
Oven air fryer cleaning
To clean an oven air fryer, you’ll want to remove the rack and wash it with warm soapy water and a damp sponge. Since you cannot put the air fryer oven in a dishwasher or into the sink, you do have to wipe the inside of the oven down if you want to remove the oil.
Most oven air fryers are going to have removable drip trays that you can take out and wash after each use. Make sure all parts are fully dry before you put them back in the air fryer.
What to look out for with large air fryers
When looking for a large air fryer, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, make sure the size is right for your needs; if you’re cooking for a large family, you’ll want something that can hold more food. Additionally, be sure to check the features offered by different models—some have removable baskets or ovens that make cleaning easier. Finally, consider how often you’ll be using your air fryer—if it’s only occasionally, you may not need one of the larger models.
Details below.
Power
The Power air fryer is a high-powered appliance used for cooking large batches of food quickly. It is a popular choice for people who want to cook large quantities of food in a short amount of time.
You will find air fryers ranging from 1400 watts to 1800 watts. This is the amount of power they need, and it often directly correlates with how quickly and how hot they can get to meet your cooking needs.
I always recommend going for the air fryer with the highest wattage.
Easy cleaning
An air fryer should be cleaned by hand if the baskets are not dishwasher safe. This is because the high heat of an air fryer can cause permanent damage to a dishwasher.
Most of the non-electrical accessories that come with an air fryer or are sold separately are usually dishwasher safe. However, it’s sometimes hard to clean off those grills since food gets stuck to them so easily and it’s hard to maneuver around those small edges between the bars.
Larger air fryers will have more surface area to get dirty and will require more cleaning. Some also have more accessories, like the rotisserie spokes or the multiple racks and crisper trays that come with them.
Ease of use
Many people choose air fryers because they are easy to use. One reason for this is that most models come with a pre-set cooking time and temperature, so all you have to do is put your food in and wait.
They come with preset modes and temperatures so that you can cook your food perfectly every time.
The one-touch control on the air fryer makes it incredibly easy to use, making it perfect for busy families. The controls are straightforward and make it simple to get started with your cooking.
Space requirements
You need to take into consideration the counterspace requirements you’ll need. Larger air fryers can require lots of space on your countertop. However, what’s even worse is the space requirement for oven-style air fryers. Large oven-style air fryers can become unusually large and can be the size of your built-in microwave.
Functionality and features
Larger air fryers would normally have tons of extra functions and features. Because of their extra large capacity, you can get extra add-on features like a function for rotisserie cooking or even dehydrating. Because there’s so much space within the compartment, you can also purchase stackable racks to place multiple levels of food on top of each other. This is actually pretty good if you want to dehydrate food, because a single layer of dehydrating is never going to be enough.
I would also suggest that you look into all the different buttons and how easy they are to use when it comes to buying your air fryer. I always found myself much happier when all it took was one or two buttons to get my air fryer going. Rather than going through a barrage of different buttons and dials in order to simply air fry some french fries.
Capacity
One thing you need to understand about capacity and size is that most are private companies who either give you the size of their basket or compartment in liters or quarts.
One liter equals about 1.06 of a quart. However, it’s probably easier just to think of one liter equaling one quart so that it can make your purchasing decisions easier.
Also, remember that these measurements have different purposes when you compare a basket to an oven-style air fryer.
Price
As we get to the prices of larger air fryers for bigger families, the prices of these machines seem to increase significantly. You’ll probably be looking at something a little over $200 or $250 minimum. I think it’s worth it since there are so many different options and features that are included.
Some of the larger, more functionally do-it-all air fryers can range over $300.
Accessories
Air fryers are a great way to cook food with little to no oil, but in order to get the most out of them, it is important to have the right accessories. Accessories can help you cook different types of food, and the more versatile they are, the better.
When considering an air fryer purchase, it’s important to think about the accessories that will be included. Many models come with a baking tray, grill pan, skewers with a rack and/or baking pan, and a muffin pan. These accessories can make it easier to cook a variety of foods in your air fryer.
Even the rotisserie functions in some of the more advanced air fryers require a rotisserie spoke that goes right through the middle of your chicken and out the other side.
Are dual basket air fryers worth it for large families?
Dual-basket air fryers are a good option for large families because they have multiple cooking zones. This means that you can cook multiple items at the same time. The size of the baskets can vary, so it is important to read the specifications before making a purchase.
They come with advanced features that make them more suitable for large families. The two baskets allow you to cook different items at the same time, and some models even come with a temperature probe so that you can ensure that your food is cooked evenly.
Dual-basket air fryers come equipped with a number of features that make them ideal for large families. These include adjustable cooking temperatures and multiple cooking zones, which allow you to cook different items at the same time. This can save you time in the kitchen and ensure that everyone in your family gets to enjoy their favorite foods.
Features available only for the larger air fryers
Stackable racks
When you have an extra large air fryer that has a high internal compartment, you can look into the site where there are grooves that can hold on to several different racks. Some companies will sell extra racks so that you can put multiple ones in a single cooking session.
Both oven and basket-style air fryers have this feature. In an oven, it’s more common to see different trays that you can place on top of each other. You can slide them into the groves that are created on the sides of the internal chamber.
For larger basket-style air fryers, you usually find that you can purchase multiple racks that stack on top of each other so that you can create multiple layers of food in a single cooking session.
These racks and trays are usually limited to two or three on top of each other.
Dual compartments
Dual-basket air fryers are a great kitchen appliance to have because they allow you to cook two dishes in two different ways. For example, you could cook chicken in one zone and French fries in the other. This is a convenient way to have multiple dishes prepared at the same time.
However, this is largely a feature that is exclusive only to the basket-style air fryers.
The dual compartments on the larger air fryers are what set them apart from the rest. This innovative technology allows you to cook two different things at once, making it a perfect choice for large families or those who like to entertain often.
Rotisserie
Rotisserie cooking is a feature that is actually exclusive to the large oven-style air fryers. You will find that within the walls of the air fryer, these manufacturing companies will build a separate motor that requires a rotisserie spoke to be attached to it. The motor will spin the spoke in circles while the unit itself does the traditional air frying.
Unfortunately, this type of feature can’t be done using a basket style air fryer due to design restrictions.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another feature that most modern day air fryers have. Larger air fryers, whether they be oven or basket-style, can take the greatest advantage of these changes because of the larger compartments and the ability to dehydrate multiple levels of the food.
Let’s say you were trying to dehydrate beef. Doing so on a single tray will only produce a small amount. Also, dehydrating removes all the water and ends up shriveling up your food, making it even less than before. When you dehydrate, you’ll want to dehydrate a lot and expect the food to be reduced by at least 30% in size.
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