Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L Review: The Budget Champion with a Few Quirks

Let’s be honest, the weeknight dinner rush is a battle. You get home from a long day, you’re tired, and the last thing you want is to wait 15 minutes for the main oven to preheat, only to then cook something for another 30-40 minutes. We’ve all been there, pulling frozen chips out of the oven that are somehow both burnt on the edges and a bit soggy in the middle. For years, we relied on the conventional oven, accepting its slow pace and often greasy results as a necessary evil. We’d heard the buzz about air fryers, of course, but like many, we were skeptical. Was it just another kitchen gadget destined to gather dust in a cupboard after a few novelty uses? The promise of crispy, “fried” food with a fraction of the oil seemed almost too good to be true. It was this combination of weeknight fatigue and a desire for healthier, faster meals that finally led us to test one of the most popular entry-level models on the market: the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L.

What to Consider Before You Buy an Air Fryer

An air fryer is more than just a compact convection oven; it’s a key solution for reclaiming time and making healthier food choices without sacrificing flavour or texture. It works by circulating incredibly hot air at high speed, creating a crispy, golden-brown finish on food that mimics deep-frying, but with up to 99% less oil. The main benefits are threefold: speed, health, and energy efficiency. Meals can be cooked up to 30% faster than in a conventional oven, you drastically reduce your fat intake, and because of its size and speed, it uses significantly less electricity—a major consideration for any household budget.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cooking for one to three people. It’s perfect for busy professionals, couples, students, or small families who want to get a delicious meal on the table quickly. It’s a game-changer for those focused on fitness and healthy eating, allowing them to prepare lean proteins and vegetables to perfection. However, it might not be the right primary appliance for those who regularly cook for large families of four or more, as the basket capacity, even in a “family size” model, may require cooking in batches. Likewise, if your cooking style revolves around large roasts, multi-layered casseroles, or liquid-heavy dishes like soups and stews, a conventional oven remains the better tool for the job.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: An air fryer is not a small appliance. The Tower T17021 measures 29 x 36.5 x 32.5 centimetres, which takes up a considerable slice of countertop real estate. Before you buy, measure your available space, paying close attention to height clearance under any cabinets. You’ll also need to leave space behind it for the hot air vent to operate safely.
• Capacity & Performance: Capacity, measured in litres, dictates how much food you can cook at once. A 4.3L capacity, like that of the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L, is generally ideal for 2-3 people. In terms of performance, look at the wattage—1500W is powerful enough for rapid heating and crisping. Also, consider the control type: manual dials are simple and intuitive, while digital displays offer more presets and precision.
• Materials & Durability: Most air fryers feature a plastic outer shell and a non-stick coated metal basket. While the plastic keeps the exterior cool to the touch, its quality can vary. Pay attention to the feel of handles, dials, and sliders. The non-stick coating is crucial for easy food release and cleaning, but its longevity is often a concern, so gentle handling and cleaning are paramount.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good air fryer should be simple to operate right out of the box. Look for a basket that is easy to remove and insert. For maintenance, check if the components are dishwasher safe. The Tower T17021’s basket is not, which means it will always require hand washing. This is a critical factor for long-term convenience.

Making the right choice can transform your daily cooking routine, making it faster, healthier, and more enjoyable.

While the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Tower T17021: First Impressions and Key Features

Pulling the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L from its box, our first impression was one of practical, no-nonsense design. It feels solid and stable on the countertop, weighing in at a reassuring 4.55 kilograms. The glossy black plastic finish is sleek and modern, fitting well into most kitchen aesthetics. There are no flashy digital screens or an overwhelming array of buttons; instead, you’re greeted by two large, satisfyingly tactile manual dials—one for temperature (up to 200°C) and one for time (up to 60 minutes). This is an appliance that prioritizes function over frills.

Setting it up was incredibly simple. After removing the packaging materials—including a crucial piece of cardboard from under the inner basket that one user thankfully pointed out to check for—it was essentially ready to go. The 4.3-litre cooking drawer slides out smoothly with a sturdy handle. A clear plastic slider on the handle covers a button which, when pressed, releases the perforated inner basket from the outer drawer. This two-part system is key to its functionality, allowing fats and oils to drain away from the food during cooking. While the mechanism felt secure enough in our testing, we noted some user feedback about the fragility of this slider, advising a gentle touch. Overall, the initial look and feel are of a capable, budget-friendly machine ready to get to work without any complicated setup. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a complete picture before buying.

Putting the Tower T17021 to the Test: A Performance Deep Dive

An appliance can look good on the counter, but its true value is revealed in the kitchen. We spent several weeks putting the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L through its paces, cooking everything from frozen staples to fresh ingredients to see if its performance lived up to the hype. We focused on its core cooking ability, its day-to-day usability, and how it holds up in a real-world kitchen environment.

Vortx Technology in Action: Speed and Crisping Power

Tower’s signature feature is its “Vortx Air Frying Technology,” a proprietary system designed to circulate hot air rapidly and evenly. We were initially skeptical if this was just marketing jargon, but the results spoke for themselves. Our first test was a classic: frozen chunky chips. In our conventional oven, these take about 25-30 minutes plus a 10-minute preheat. In the Tower T17021, we set the dial to 200°C and the timer for 20 minutes. With no preheating, we simply tossed the chips with half a tablespoon of oil, put them in the basket, and let it run. After a quick shake at the 10-minute mark, the result was astonishing. The chips were perfectly golden brown, incredibly crispy on the outside, and fluffy and soft on the inside—far superior to what our oven produces. This experience is echoed by countless users, one of whom stated their homemade chips come out “a solid 10/10 restaurant quality.”

We moved on to chicken wings, salmon fillets, and even reheating leftover pizza. Each time, the results were consistent. The chicken skin was rendered crispy and delicious, the salmon cooked through with a lovely crust while remaining moist inside, and the pizza was revived to a state far better than a microwave could ever achieve, with a crisp base and perfectly melted cheese. The claim that it cooks food up to 30% faster feels not just plausible, but conservative. For many items, like sausage rolls or nuggets for the kids, cooking times were more than halved. This speed, combined with the minimal oil requirement, truly feels revolutionary for daily cooking, a sentiment shared by one user who said, “it’s no exaggeration to say it’s revolutionised the way we cook.”

Simplicity by Design: The Manual Control Experience

In an age of smart appliances with complex touch screens and dozens of presets, the manual interface of the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L is refreshingly straightforward. There’s no learning curve. You have a dial for temperature and a dial for time. That’s it. This simplicity is one of its greatest assets, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their tech-savviness. We found ourselves appreciating the ability to just turn two dials and walk away, with a loud “ding” alerting us when cooking was complete.

However, this simplicity comes with a significant design flaw that we, and many other users, found frustrating. The mechanical timer is a one-way street. If you accidentally turn the dial past your desired time—setting it to 20 minutes instead of 15, for example—you cannot turn it back. Your only options are to unplug the machine or remove the basket and let it run empty for the remaining time. This is a baffling oversight that could easily be fixed. As one user aptly put it, “Only niggle is if you turn time dial too far you can’t change your mind.”

More concerning is the recurring feedback regarding the physical durability of this timer knob. While our unit’s dial performed without issue during our extensive testing period, we cannot ignore the volume of user reports detailing this specific part breaking. Users describe it as being made of “cheap plastic” and snapping off, sometimes after just a few months, forcing them to turn the mechanism with pliers. This is the single biggest weakness of the appliance and a crucial consideration for potential buyers regarding its long-term reliability.

Living with the Air Fryer: Capacity, Cleaning, and Quirks

The “Family Size” 4.3L capacity is well-suited for its target audience. For our tests with two people, it was more than ample. We could easily fit enough chips for three adults as a side dish, or two large chicken breasts with room to spare for air circulation. For a family of four, it would be perfect for cooking side dishes like roast potatoes or vegetables, but cooking four main portions of chicken or fish might require doing it in two batches. This aligns perfectly with user experiences, with one noting it’s “ideal” for one or two people, but “unless you want to feed 4 then you need” a larger model.

Cleaning is a double-edged sword. The non-stick coating on the basket and drawer is effective, and for the most part, a quick rinse and wipe with a soft sponge is all that’s needed, just as users report. However, the fact that the parts are not dishwasher safe is a definite drawback in a modern kitchen. This means you’ll always have to hand-wash it after use. We also noticed some feedback about the non-stick coating beginning to peel after extended use, which reinforces the need for non-abrasive cleaning methods to preserve its lifespan. We found that using disposable paper or reusable silicone liners is an excellent way to minimise mess and make cleanup almost effortless.

A final practical note is the rear vent. As one user correctly pointed out, the appliance expels hot air from a vent at the back during operation. It’s important to ensure there’s a few inches of clear space behind the unit and that it isn’t pushed up against a wall or heat-sensitive items. We also detected a faint plastic smell during the first couple of uses, a common occurrence with new heating appliances, which dissipated quickly and did not affect the taste of the food.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our hands-on testing, we delved into the broader user feedback to see how our experience compared. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, especially among first-time air fryer owners. Many, who were initially hesitant, report that the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L has become their most-used kitchen appliance, effectively replacing their conventional oven for most tasks. One typical user summed it up perfectly: “You know all those reviews talking about how air fryers are life changing? You look at them somewhat suspiciously… That used to be me until I got one.” The speed, ease of use, and quality of the cooked food are consistently praised.

However, the praise is not without its caveats, which mirror our own findings. The most prominent and repeated complaint revolves around the build quality, specifically the timer dial. A significant number of users have experienced the knob breaking off. One user lamented, “Second one I have bought where the timer knob has broken off. Made of cheap plastic so don’t recommend.” Other minor build quality issues, such as misaligned stickers on the dial or a slightly loose handle, are also mentioned. While some users reported catastrophic failures or units arriving damaged, these appear to be isolated incidents rather than a widespread defect. The overall sentiment is that the appliance cooks brilliantly for its price, but its longevity may be compromised by a few specific weak points.

How Does the Tower T17021 Compare to the Competition?

The Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L operates in a very competitive market. While it holds its own as a powerful budget option, it’s worth seeing what you get if you spend a little more or need different features.

1. Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer Viewing Window

The Morphy Richards model is a direct competitor in terms of size, offering a slightly smaller 4L capacity. The key differences are its features. It boasts a digital touchscreen with 8 presets, which takes the guesswork out of cooking common items. Its most compelling feature, however, is the viewing window, which allows you to check on your food’s progress without opening the basket and letting heat escape. This is an excellent alternative for those who prefer the precision of digital controls and the convenience of a window over the absolute simplicity and slightly larger capacity of the Tower T17021.

2. Tower T17088 Vortx 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer

For those who find the 4.3L capacity restrictive, this larger model from Tower is the logical step up. With a massive 9L capacity split across two independent cooking baskets, it’s a true family-sized solution. You can cook two different foods at two different temperatures and times, and the “Smart Finish” function ensures they are both ready at the same moment. This is the ideal choice for larger families or anyone who wants to cook a main course and a side dish simultaneously. It’s a significant upgrade in capacity and versatility, albeit with a larger footprint and higher price tag.

3. Instant Versazone Dual Black Air Fryer 8.5L

The Instant Versazone offers the ultimate in flexibility. Its 8.5L capacity can be used as one enormous drawer—large enough for a whole chicken or a joint of meat—or split into two independent 4.25L zones with the included divider. This “best of both worlds” approach is its standout feature. Backed by the reputable Instant Pot brand, it also includes additional functions like baking, roasting, and dehydrating. This is a premium alternative for the serious home cook who values maximum versatility and is willing to invest in a more feature-rich appliance.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L is overwhelmingly positive, with a few important reservations. It is a superb entry-level air fryer that absolutely nails its primary function: it cooks food to a delicious, crispy perfection with incredible speed and efficiency. Its manual, no-frills operation is a breath of fresh air, making it exceptionally easy to use straight out of the box. For its price, the performance and capacity it delivers represent outstanding value for money.

However, potential buyers must be aware of the build quality concerns, particularly surrounding the fragile timer knob and the inability to adjust the timer downwards. These are not deal-breakers for everyone, but they are significant quirks that prevent it from being flawless. We highly recommend the Tower T17021 Family Size Air Fryer 4.3L for individuals, couples, and small families seeking a powerful, straightforward, and affordable introduction to air frying. If you prioritize cooking performance over digital extras and are prepared to be gentle with the controls, it is a kitchen workhorse that will not disappoint. If you’re ready to make weeknight dinners faster, healthier, and more delicious, this is a fantastic place to start. You can check the latest price and find out more right here.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API