What makes an air fryer to be such an appealing kitchen appliance? It is probably because it greatly reduces the cooking time in comparison to other methods.
We could attribute this convenience to its small size as well as the strong heating element. Therefore, you can expect the time you take to prepare your meal to be a maximum of two minutes.
When it comes to purchasing this appliance, an essential factor that you need to put into consideration is the size. If you get this aspect wrong, then you and your family would have a horrible experience with the air fryer.
We understand that getting the air fryer of the perfect size for your family may not be that straightforward. That is why we are going to take you through a few guidelines to help you land the ideal size, depending on your family’s size.
The Size Guide
Air fryers are divided into small, large, and extra-large sizes. The small air fryers range between 1.0 to 2.0 quartz and are ideal for preparing snacks.
The large fryers are 3.0-5.3 quart-sized and are capable of preparing meals and snacks for a maximum of five people.
Lastly, the extra-large air fryers are 6.5-10.5 quart-sized and tend to be more versatile than the smaller sizes.
We are going to break down each category so that you can understand its suitability for each family size.
I) Small Air Fryers
These can cook up to two chicken breasts at a go. If you are single, you could divide the fryer such that one side would be for one chicken breast and the other for some fires.
The upper range of the small fryers measure 2.2-3.0 quartz and can prepare snacks for up to 4 individuals.
II) Medium and Large Air Fryers
This category is most ideal for a family of at least three people. The lower range of 3.0-5.0 quartz and is large enough for 3-5 family members. This may explain why it is the most popular range of this category.
It may not cook a whole chicken at once, but it gives you more options as you can cook two things at a go.
The upper range lies in the 5.0-6.0 quartz sizing, and the size is enough for a family of 5 and more. With these fryers, you can cook more than one food item at once, including chicken, vegetables, and nuts.
On top of everything, the larger sized fryers tend to have more accessories to ensure that they deliver a superior performance.
III) Extra-Large Air Fryers
These are the largest air fryers and are sized at 6.0 quartz and beyond. They are quite spacious and can accommodate up to two pans and three grill racks.
They are quite versatile to give you the freedom to cook anything that you wish.
This category is also divided into upper and lower ranges.
The lower range is between 6.0-10.0 quartz, and you can use it for preparing components such as turkeys and whole chickens. Additionally, they have a spacious chamber that is suited for baked items.
The upper category is the 16.0 quartz and above and is mostly used for large families and outdoor gatherings.
Ideal Air Fryer Size for a Family
Now that you know about the sizing of air fryers, you should be better placed to find the perfect size for your family.
If you find the right fit, then cooking for your family should be much easier as it would require less time and effort. This enhanced experience would be possible if you can cook the entire dinner at once, rather than in different batches.
So, we have come up with a simple formula that would help you find the ideal size for your family. It is in the following form:
- For a family of two, the air fryer should lie in the range 2.0-3.0 quartz
- A family of three would be best served by an air fryer of 3.0-5.0 quartz
- A family of four would need an air fryer of 5.0-8.0 quartz
- A family of five or beyond would need an air fryer of 5.8 quartz and above
Another thing about the sizing is that you have to think about the countertop space. You wouldn’t want an item that would give you an easy time to store it, would you?
Final Thoughts
By now, it is clear that bigger families need bigger air fryers and so a family of five would be best served by an appliance of size 5.8 quartz and beyond.
Further, the larger items give you more cooking options as you can prepare more things at once.
With that, we now believe that you are in a better position to make the correct decision.