While we haven’t tested this model firsthand, feedback from multiple reliable sources paints a clear picture of its strengths and drawbacks.
The recently introduced Philips Airfryer 3000 Series Dual Basket offers both double-basket convenience and a healthier alternative to traditional cooking methods.
The latter is particularly relevant for South Africans, where rising obesity rates make it essential to adopt mindful eating habits.
Furthermore, with electricity costs soaring in the country, the air fryer’s energy efficiency and faster cooking times provide a win-win solution. Compared to conventional ovens, it uses significantly less power, making it a timely addition to any kitchen.
Key features
The standout feature of this model is its two baskets – a 6-litre basket for larger items and a 3-litre one for sides or smaller portions. This setup allows home chefs to cook multiple dishes simultaneously, avoiding the issue of mixing flavours.
The design makes it an ideal choice for preparing meals in one go, such as cooking a main dish and a side without needing to wait between cooking sessions.
SyncFinish technology
A clever feature called SyncFinish ensures that both baskets complete cooking at the same time, even if they have different temperature or time settings.
This eliminates the need to juggle different cook times and ensures that everything is hot and ready to serve at once. It is a very practical feature, especially for busy families.
Rapid Air technology
As a reminder, Philips’ patented Rapid Air Technology circulates hot air to produce evenly cooked food with a crispy exterior.
Whether you’re cooking frozen fries or roasting vegetables, this feature ensures that the food retains a crispy texture with up to 90 percent less fat compared to traditional frying methods.
Performance
In terms of cooking performance, this model excels. Sources confirm that the Philips Airfryer 3000 Dual Basket consistently delivers high-quality, crispy, and evenly cooked meals across various food types.
Its ability to handle large meals in one go, particularly with its 9-litre total capacity, is impressive and allows for family-sized meals or meal prepping. Users have praised its versatility, with eight preset cooking modes for fresh fries, frozen fries, chicken, meat, veggies, fish, cake, and reheating, making it very easy to use.
Quiet operation
The Philips Airfryer 3000 Series Dual Basket runs quietly, and many users appreciate this feature. However, the audible beep that signals the end of cooking is quite soft, which could be an issue if you’re not close by.
Benefits over single-basket models
Compared to single-basket air fryers, the dual basket setup provides much more flexibility. You can cook two different items at different temperatures simultaneously, significantly reducing meal preparation time.
The SyncFinish feature also enhances efficiency by ensuring all items are ready to serve together, a major advantage over single-basket models that require back-to-back cooking sessions.
Capacity
With a combined 9-liter capacity, this air fryer can handle a substantial amount of food at once, making it ideal for larger families or those who entertain often.
The large basket can accommodate up to 1,5 kg of vegetables or a 1,5 kg chicken, while the smaller one can be used for sides or small portions, offering flexibility for different meal sizes.
Downsides
One downside of the Philips Airfryer 3000 Dual Basket is its size. At 38,3 x 44,4 x 31,4 cm (width x height x depth), it’s a large appliance that takes up considerable counter space. If you have a small kitchen or limited counter space, this may be a concern. Storing or moving it around could also be a challenge for some users.
Uneven basket sizes
The uneven sizes of the two baskets can be a drawback for those who often need equal portions. While the dual-basket system is excellent for cooking different foods at once, some users may find it limiting if they frequently cook large amounts of the same dish.
Fingerprint-prone finish
Another minor issue is the air fryer’s matte finish, which tends to show fingerprints and grease marks easily. This means you’ll need to clean the exterior frequently to keep it looking pristine.
Convenience and safety features
The Philips Airfryer 3000 doesn’t just prioritise performance – it’s also designed for ease of use and safety. It has an intuitive touchscreen interface with preset temperatures and times, making it user-friendly, even for beginners. Additionally, the inner coating is BPA-free, and both the basket and detachable plate are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup hassle-free.
Other useful features include non-slip feet for stability during use, integrated cord storage for minimising clutter, and a convenient 60-minute time control for precision cooking.
Should you?
The Philips Airfryer 3000 Series Dual Basket is a well-rounded appliance that excels in both cooking performance and convenience.
Its ability to cook two dishes at once with the SyncFinish feature, along with its large 9-liter capacity, makes it a great choice for families or those who frequently cook multiple dishes.
However, its large footprint may not suit smaller kitchens, and the uneven basket sizes could be limiting for some.
Conclusion
Overall, if you have the space and are looking for a versatile air fryer that can reduce cooking time while maintaining food quality, this model is worth considering. Philips’ years of experience in air fryer technology, combined with practical features, make this a strong contender, especially for larger households or meal preppers.
On the subject of prepping, visit philips.com.au/c-e/ho/cooking/airfryer-recipes.html for recipes and inspiration.
Story sources include homesandgardens.com and t3.com
