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Small appliances

Ninja dual-zone air fryer

Two drawers that cook different foods at different settings and finish together.

Small kitchen appliances on a countertop

Photograph illustrates the category, not this exact model.

What it is good at

  • Cooking two things at different temperatures with a shared finish time
  • Reheating without the soggy result of a microwave
  • Using far less oil than deep frying

Check before you buy

  • Drawer capacity against your usual portion — most are quoted in litres, not servings
  • Counter clearance for the exhaust, which needs space behind and above
  • Whether the drawers and crisper plates are dishwasher safe

Who it is not for

Anyone with less than about 35 cm of free counter depth, or cooking for five from one machine.

An air fryer is a small convection oven with better airflow. What makes it useful is speed and the absence of preheating; what makes it annoying is size and the noise.

Dual-zone models solve the real problem — two components, one finish time — and that is worth the counter space for most households.

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Watch out for
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Best for
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Watch out for
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