Air fryers have become one of the most useful kitchen appliances in South African homes, and it is not hard to see why.
Faster cooking, less oil , easier cleanup and results that rival a full oven make them a practical daily tool rather than a novelty.
But with so many models and sizes available, knowing which one is right for you takes a little more than picking the one on special.
This guide covers everything you need to make a confident first purchase.
What You Will Find in This Guide
- How air fryers actually work
- How to choose the right capacity for your household
- Single basket versus dual basket
- Temperature range and what it affects
- Preset programmes and digital versus manual controls
- Extra buying tips to help you avoid common mistakes
How Air Fryers Work
An air fryer is a compact convection oven.
A heating element and a high-speed fan circulate hot air rapidly around the food in a basket or drawer, cooking it evenly on all sides and creating a crispy outer layer through the same browning process as frying or roasting.
Because the hot air does the work, you need little to no oil to get a crispy result.
Most air fryers cook food 20% to 30% faster than a conventional oven and use significantly less electricity to do it.
The basket or drawer design is important. It allows hot air to circulate underneath the food as well as around it, giving air-fried food its characteristic crispness. A flat baking tray in an oven cannot do this as effectively.
Choosing the Right Capacity
Capacity is the most important decision you will make.
Too small and you are cooking in batches every night.
Too large and you are wasting electricity heating empty space.
As a general guide:
| Household Size | Recommended Capacity | Food Capacity | Bennett Read Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 4L to 6L | Up to 1.4kg | 6L Digital Air Fryer |
| 3 to 4 people | 9L to 10L | Up to 2.3kg | 10L Digital / 9L Dual |
| 5 to 6 people | 10L to 12L | Up to 2.7kg | 11L / 10.3L Triple Zone |
| Large families or entertaining | 25L oven-style | Multiple rack levels | 25L Air Fryer Oven |
If you regularly cook for four people but buy a 6.6L model , you will spend more time on batches than you save on cooking time.
When in doubt, size up by one.
Single Basket vs Dual Basket
Single Basket Air Fryers
Single basket air fryers have one drawer and cook one thing at a time.
They are:
- Simpler to use
- Typically more compact
- Well suited to households where meals do not need to be coordinated across different dishes and cooking times
Dual Basket Air Fryers
Dual basket air fryers have two independent drawers, each with their own temperature and timer settings.
The main advantage is simultaneous cooking:
- Chips in one drawer
- Chicken in the other
- Both ready at the same time
For families juggling different sides and mains, this is a significant practical upgrade.
Bennett Read 9L Dual Air Fryer
- Two 4.5L drawers with independent settings
- Caters for up to 12 people
- Cook two different dishes simultaneously
- Match-Cook function lets both drawers run on the same settings for larger batches
Bennett Read 10.3L Triple Zone Air Fryer
- Single 10.3L Modi-Fry drawer
- Operates as one large zone or splits into two with a removable divider
- Three cooking configurations in one appliance
- 2400W of power
- Built-in memory resumes cooking after power failures
Temperature Range
The temperature range determines what you can cook and how precisely you can control it.
Most air fryers run from around 80°C to 200°C, which covers the majority of everyday cooking.
Some models start lower, at 30°C, opening up functions like proofing dough, dehydrating fruit and keeping food warm without overcooking it.
30°C to 200°C
Ideal for:
- Gentle reheating
- Dehydrating
- Proofing dough
- Keeping food warm
- High-heat roasting
- Crisping
The Bennett Read 10L and 11L models both operate within this range.
80°C to 200°C
Suitable for:
- Air frying
- Baking
- Grilling
- Everyday family cooking
If you plan to dehydrate food, make biltong, proof dough or regularly use the keep-warm function, prioritise a model with a lower starting temperature.
Preset Programmes
Presets are one-touch settings that automatically configure the temperature and timer for a specific food type.
They remove the guesswork and are particularly useful when you are new to air frying.
Common presets include:
- Chips
- Chicken
- Fish
- Steak
- Vegetables
- Baking
- Reheating
The number of presets varies across the range.
- Bennett Read 6.6L: 8 presets
- Bennett Read 10.3L Triple Zone: 12 presets
More presets mean more one-touch convenience, but the temperature and timer are always manually adjustable if you want to fine-tune the result.
Look for models that include the following as standard functions:
- Preheat
- Reheat
- Keep Warm
- Dehydrate
These significantly expand what you can do with the appliance day to day.
Digital vs Manual Controls
Manual Controls
Manual air fryers use physical dials for temperature and time.
Advantages include:
- Straightforward operation
- No digital interface
- Simple to use
The trade-off is less precise control and no preset functions.
Digital Controls
Digital air fryers use a touch LED display with one-touch presets, precise temperature adjustment and a countdown timer.
Benefits include:
- Greater accuracy
- Easier for first-time owners
- More cooking functions
- Convenient preset programmes
All Bennett Read air fryers in the current range use digital touch controls.
Extra Buying Tips
- Do not buy bigger than you need. Larger air fryers take longer to preheat, use more electricity and require more counter space.
- Check the food capacity, not just the drawer size. Bennett Read lists usable food capacity in kilograms, which is the more practical measurement.
- Dishwasher-safe parts matter more than you think. After the novelty wears off, easy cleanup often determines how frequently an air fryer gets used. All Bennett Read air fryer drawers and trays are dishwasher-safe.
- Look for overheat protection. This is an essential safety feature included as standard across the Bennett Read range.
- Register your warranty immediately. Bennett Read air fryers include a 1-year warranty that can be extended to 2 or 5 years with free online registration .
- Measure your available counter space before buying, especially if you are considering a dual-basket or oven-style model.
- Air fryer ovens are not the same as drawer-style air fryers. The Bennett Read 25L Air Fryer Oven replaces up to seven appliances and cooks on multiple rack levels, making it a different category of appliance.
Buying your first air fryer is straightforward once you know what actually matters.
Capacity, basket type, temperature range and cleanup convenience will serve you better than wattage alone or the number of accessories in the box.
Browse the full Bennett Read air fryer range to find the right model for your household, and register your product online to extend your warranty at no extra cost.
FAQs
How do I decide on an air fryer?
Start with your household size to determine the capacity you need, then consider whether a single or dual basket best suits your cooking style.
Also look for:
- A suitable temperature range
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Overheat protection
- An extendable warranty
- Digital controls
- Preset programmes
These features make everyday cooking easier, especially for first-time air fryer owners.
Is a 4-litre air fryer big enough for 2 people?
A 4L air fryer is workable for two people but can feel restrictive for larger meals.
It comfortably cooks:
- A serving of chips
- Two chicken pieces
Larger meals or roasts may require multiple batches.
For two people who cook regularly, the Bennett Read 6L Digital Air Fryer offers greater flexibility without taking up significantly more counter space.
What is the best size for an air fryer?
The best size depends on your household.
- 1 to 2 people: 6L
- 3 to 4 people: 9L to 10L
- 5 or more people: 11L or 10.3L Triple Zone
Bigger is not always better. Choose a model that matches the number of people you regularly cook for.
Is a 9-litre air fryer big?
Yes. A 9L air fryer is considered a mid-to-large size and is well suited to families of three to five people.
The Bennett Read 9L Dual Air Fryer divides its capacity across two independent 4.5L drawers, allowing you to cook two different dishes simultaneously.
It is a practical option for households that prepare complete meals and want everything ready at the same time.
