Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer Review: The Kitchen Game-Changer We Didn’t Know We Needed

There’s a familiar chaos in our kitchen around 6 PM on a weekday. I’m trying to get crispy roast potatoes, perfectly cooked chicken breasts, and tender asparagus ready for dinner, all at the same time. Inevitably, the main oven is cranked up, heating the whole kitchen, while I’m juggling different baking trays, setting multiple timers on my phone, and praying everything finishes in unison. More often than not, something gets cold while waiting for something else to finish, or worse, something gets burnt in the frantic shuffle. This daily dance of mealtime logistics is exhausting, energy-intensive, and often steals the joy from cooking. We needed a solution that could simplify the process, save energy, and deliver consistently delicious results without turning our kitchen into a command centre for a culinary battle.

What to Consider Before Buying a Dual Basket Air Fryer

An Air Fryer, especially a dual-basket model, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming time and energy in the kitchen. It promises to transform the way we cook, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying by using rapidly circulating hot air to achieve that coveted crispy texture with little to no oil. The main benefits are profound: faster cooking times compared to a conventional oven, significant energy savings, and the versatility to air fry, roast, bake, and even reheat. For busy families and health-conscious individuals, it represents a path to quicker, healthier, and more efficient meal preparation.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cooking multiple components of a meal for a family of two or more. If you find your conventional oven too slow and costly to run for everyday meals, or if you’re looking to reduce your oil consumption without sacrificing flavour and texture, a dual-basket air fryer is designed for you. However, it might not be suitable for those who live alone and cook very simple, single-item meals, or for individuals with extremely limited kitchen counter space, as these units can be quite substantial. For them, a smaller, single-basket air fryer might be a more practical alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A dual-basket air fryer is not a small appliance. Before you click “buy,” measure your intended countertop space carefully. The Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer measures 36 x 40 x 32 centimetres. You’ll need to account for this footprint, plus some clearance around the unit for ventilation. Consider its proximity to a power socket, as some users have noted that power cables can be shorter than expected.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is king. A 9-litre total capacity, like that offered by the Tower T17100, is fantastic for a family of 3-5, allowing you to cook a main and a side dish simultaneously. Look for features like “Sync Finish,” which times the cooking in each basket to complete at the same moment, and “Match Cook,” which mirrors the settings across both baskets. A high wattage (2600W in this case) generally indicates faster preheating and cooking times.
• Materials & Durability: Most air fryers feature a plastic external housing with non-stick coated metal baskets inside. While the plastic keeps the exterior cool to the touch, the durability of components like handles and drawer mechanisms is vital. We’ve seen reports on various models where handles can loosen over time, so check for sturdy construction and consider the warranty period—Tower’s extendable 3-year guarantee is a significant plus.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A cluttered digital display can be confusing. Look for an intuitive interface with clear presets and simple touch controls. For maintenance, ease of cleaning is paramount. While many desire dishwasher-safe parts, many high-performance models, including this one, recommend hand washing to preserve the non-stick coating. Consider if you’re comfortable with a quick soak and wash in the sink after each use.

While the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is an excellent choice, 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 T17100: First Impressions and Standout Features

Straight out of the box, the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer makes a statement. Its sleek, glossy black finish gives it a modern, premium feel that looks fantastic on the countertop, managing to appear both substantial and stylish. At 8.5 kg, it has a reassuring heft that suggests quality components. Setting it up was incredibly straightforward; after removing the packaging, a quick wash of the non-stick drawers and crisper plates in warm, soapy water was all it took. Following the advice of seasoned users, we ran an initial 30-minute cycle at 200°C to burn off any manufacturing residue. A faint “new appliance” smell was present, as expected, but it dissipated quickly, leaving the machine ready for its first culinary test. The digital control panel is bright, clear, and immediately intuitive. What truly caught our eye, however, were the large viewing windows on the front of each basket—a feature we immediately knew would be a game-changer, eliminating the need to constantly pull out the drawers to check on progress. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its design.

A Deep Dive into the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion’s Real-World Performance

An appliance can look great and have an impressive spec sheet, but the real test is how it performs day in, day out in a busy kitchen. We put the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer through its paces for over a month, cooking everything from Sunday roasts to quick weekday snacks. This wasn’t just about testing functions; it was about integrating it into our family’s routine to see if it truly delivered on its promises of speed, convenience, and delicious results.

Dual Basket Capacity & The Vizion Windows: A Meal-Timing Masterclass

The headline feature is undoubtedly the Duo Basket Technology. With two generous 4.5L baskets, the combined 9L capacity is transformative. Our very first test was a full meal: chicken breasts in one drawer and homemade potato wedges in the other. This is where the “Sync Finish” function proved its genius. We set the chicken for 20 minutes and the potatoes for 28. After pressing Sync Finish, the machine cleverly started the chicken basket later, ensuring both drawers beeped to signal completion at the exact same moment. The result was a perfectly coordinated meal with everything piping hot and ready to serve. This single feature eliminates the kitchen timing chaos we were so familiar with.

This experience is echoed by many users. One family of three noted they cooked a 1.5kg chicken in one basket and potatoes in the other, finding the size perfect for their needs. The capacity is a true sweet spot—large enough for family cooking without the enormous footprint and price tag of even larger models. The real star, however, are the Vizion viewing windows. Paired with the internal lights (which can be toggled on and off with a simple touch of a button), they allow you to monitor your food’s progress without ever opening the drawers. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a fundamental improvement that keeps heat locked in, ensuring more consistent cooking and preventing you from losing that crucial crisping momentum. You can see your chips turning golden brown in real-time, giving you complete control. It’s a feature that, once you’ve used it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. The ability to visually confirm cooking progress is one of the key benefits that makes this model stand out.

Cooking Performance & Vortx Technology: Speed, Crispiness, and Power

Tower’s proprietary Vortx technology, which rapidly circulates hot air, is the engine behind this machine’s impressive performance. The company claims it cooks up to 30% faster than a conventional oven, and in our testing, this held true. Frozen chips that would take 25-30 minutes in our fan oven were perfectly crispy and fluffy in just 15 minutes. Sausages were browned and cooked through in 12 minutes, and salmon fillets emerged flaky and moist in under 10. The 2600W of power means it gets up to temperature almost instantly, eliminating the lengthy pre-heating time of a traditional oven and contributing to significant energy savings—a benefit many users have celebrated.

The 10 one-touch pre-sets (for things like fries, chicken, steak, and even baking) are a great starting point for beginners. However, as one user wisely pointed out, they are best used as a guide. We found that cooking times can vary based on the quantity and thickness of the food, so using the windows to keep an eye on things and adjusting the time manually is the key to perfection. That said, the versatility is outstanding. We successfully baked scones, roasted Mediterranean vegetables to perfection, and even made cheese on toast in minutes. While the results were overwhelmingly positive, it’s important to acknowledge some user reports of inconsistent heating between the two drawers. While our test unit performed flawlessly with even cooking across both sides, a small number of users have experienced one drawer cooking faster than the other. This suggests potential quality control variations, which is something to be aware of when you check the latest price and availability.

Usability and Controls: Simplicity Meets Versatility

For an appliance with so much functionality, the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is remarkably easy to use. The digital touch panel is responsive, well-lit, and logically laid out. Selecting a function, adjusting time and temperature, and engaging the Sync or Match features is intuitive from the very first use. We handed the controls over to our ten-year-old (with supervision), and they were able to cook their own after-school snacks with minimal instruction. This simplicity is a major win for busy households.

The “Match Cook” function is the simple but effective counterpart to “Sync Finish.” A single button press mirrors the time and temperature settings from drawer one to drawer two, perfect for cooking larger batches of the same food, like a full 9L worth of fries for a party. The temperature range, from 50°C to 200°C, provides a wide spectrum for different cooking styles, from dehydrating fruits at a low heat to searing a steak at the maximum. The audible beeps are clear without being overly intrusive, and the machine’s overall noise level is comparable to a standard microwave—a background hum that isn’t disruptive. The thoughtful design of the user interface makes the entire cooking process feel effortless and modern, a sentiment shared by new air fryer users who reported they “had nothing to worry about” when getting started.

Cleaning and Maintenance: The Non-Dishwasher Dilemma

Here we arrive at the appliance’s most significant trade-off: the baskets and inner trays are not dishwasher safe. For some, this will be a deal-breaker. However, in our experience, cleaning was far from arduous. The non-stick coating is highly effective, and we found that most food residue slid right off. Our method was simple: once the baskets had cooled slightly, we filled them with hot water and a drop of washing-up liquid and let them soak for 5-10 minutes while we ate. By the time we were done with dinner, a quick wipe with a non-abrasive sponge was all that was needed to get them sparkling clean.

While our experience was positive, it is crucial to address the durability concerns raised in a minority of user reviews. Some have reported issues with the screws on the drawer handles coming loose over time, and in rare cases, failing completely after around 15 months of use. This is a significant concern that detracts from an otherwise excellent product. We recommend regularly checking the tightness of these fittings and handling the drawers with care. While the extendable 3-year guarantee offers peace of mind, the inconvenience of a potential failure is a valid consideration. It’s a compromise between the machine’s brilliant performance and questions about its long-term build quality, which you should weigh before making your purchase decision. You can often find warranty details and customer service information when you view the product’s official page.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is overwhelmingly positive. Users consistently praise its versatility, with one thrilled new owner reporting they cooked everything from frozen samosas to a full Sunday roast chicken in their first three days. The speed, energy savings, and the quality of the cooked food are common themes, with many declaring they now use it more than their main oven. The Sync Finish function is frequently highlighted as a “perfect” feature for creating complete meals.

However, the feedback isn’t universally glowing. A recurring negative theme revolves around quality control. Several users reported receiving units that were damaged in transit or had immediate electrical faults with the plug or digital display. A more common performance-related complaint is the uneven cooking between the two drawers, where one side cooks noticeably faster than the other. Other minor but frustrating issues include missing components like a second drip tray and a power cable that some find too short for their kitchen layout. These reports, while in the minority, paint a picture of a brilliant product that is occasionally let down by inconsistent manufacturing and quality assurance.

How Does the Tower T17100 Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is a strong contender, it exists in a competitive market. Understanding its alternatives is key to knowing if it’s the right choice for your specific needs.

1. NETTA 4.2L Air Fryer

The NETTA 4.2L Air Fryer is a fantastic option for individuals, couples, or those with smaller kitchens. Its single 4.2L basket is roughly the size of one of the Tower’s drawers, making it compact and more budget-friendly. It lacks the dual-zone cooking, Sync Finish, and viewing windows of the Tower model. If your primary need is to cook single items like chips, chicken wings, or vegetables and you don’t require the complexity or capacity to cook a full multi-part meal simultaneously, the NETTA offers core air frying functionality in a space-saving and affordable package.

2. LIVIVO 2.5L Deep Fat Fryer

It’s crucial to distinguish this from an air fryer. The LIVIVO 2.5L is a traditional deep fat fryer that cooks food by submerging it in hot oil. While it will produce the most authentic, restaurant-style fried chicken and chips, it comes at the cost of health and convenience. It’s a single-purpose appliance that requires large amounts of cooking oil and involves a more intensive cleaning process. This is for the purist who prioritizes the classic deep-fried taste and texture above the health benefits, energy savings, and multi-cooking versatility offered by an air fryer like the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion.

3. Emperial 12-17L Digital Halogen Oven Air Fryer

The Emperial Halogen Oven occupies a different space in the market. It uses a powerful halogen bulb for heating and offers a massive, expandable 12-17L capacity in a single glass bowl. This design allows you to cook much larger items, like a whole turkey, and provides 360-degree visibility of your food. However, it’s bulkier, has a large hinged lid that can be awkward in some kitchens, and the top-down heating element can sometimes lead to less even cooking compared to the basket-style air circulation of the Tower. It’s best suited for those who need to cook for a very large crowd or want the ability to roast extra-large joints of meat.

Our Final Verdict on the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer

After extensive testing and analysis, we can confidently say that the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is a superb kitchen appliance that genuinely makes daily cooking easier, faster, and healthier. Its combination of a large, family-friendly capacity, the game-changing Vizion viewing windows, and the intelligent Sync Finish function sets it apart from many competitors. It consistently delivers crispy, delicious results while saving a noticeable amount of time and energy compared to a conventional oven.

It is not, however, without its flaws. The lack of dishwasher-safe parts requires a commitment to hand washing, and the reports of quality control issues and long-term durability concerns are a valid reason for caution. Despite this, for the price, the performance and feature set are exceptional. We would recommend it to any family of 3-5 looking to simplify their mealtime routine and embrace healthier cooking. If you’re ready to win back your weeknights and revolutionize your kitchen workflow, the Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion is an investment you’re unlikely to regret.

Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API