'I'll never use an oven again': This dual basket air fryer has changed dinners forever

As a woman in her twenties trying to balance work, fitness, healthy eating and still enjoying life, I am somewhat of a lazy cook – especially during the week.

Meal prepping healthy meals often feels like a chore, and since I'm a big foodie, I want everything to be as tasty as possible, while still being easy to reheat for lunch over the next few days. Is that too much to ask for?

Like many young people, I am currently living in a sharehouse, meaning we've got an oven that takes its time to both preheat and cook, which makes the whole process painful. We also had an old air fryer that we used for pretty much everything until it recently broke.

Enter the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer

Was $499, now $398

Upon first sight, this airfryer is a beast of an appliance. It measures 38.3cm (D) x 44.4cm (W) x 35.2cm (H), and weighs 8.75kg, making it considerably larger than previous models. This is Philips' first dual-basket model with steam.

Features

Unique design and technology

The air fryer features RapidAir Plus and AirSteam technology for efficient cooking. RapidAir technology features a star-shaped design that promotes faster airflow, ensuring even cooking. While the AirSteam technology delivers a steam infusion for vegetables, fish, dumplings, and baked goods, resulting in a soft, delicate texture without making them soggy.

It comes with an app that provides step-by-step setup guidance and offers recipes specific to your air fryer, it's a great place to start for anyone new to air fryers.

Another design feature healthy cookers will appreciate is the baskets keep your food and the collected fat separate ensuring a healthier cooking process that reduces excess fat by up to 40 per cent without sacrificing flavour.

Dual basket and size options

The air fryer has a 9L capacity across the two baskets. The large basket (6L) is ideal for cooking mains like meats or large portions like fries. The smaller basket (3L) is perfect for your sides and snacks.

Synchronised cooking times

You can automatically synchronise cooking times between the baskets to make sure both dishes are ready at the same time. And when your meal is ready the air fryer automatically shuts off for peace of mind after cooking.

Versatile cooking methods

Steam, steam and air fry, bake, grill, roast and stir-fry are just some of the 19 cooking options available to select with the press of a button. If you prefer an even simpler way to cook your specific ingredients the air fryer has 12 ingredient presets to choose from for more convenient, fuss-free cooking – cooking chicken? Select 'chicken' and the air fryer will take care of it.

A godsend for leftovers it also features a Reheat Function, which uses steam to maintain the moisture and freshness of previously cooked dishes.

Temperature range and control

You can adjust the temperature between 40 and 200 degrees Celsius, providing temperature flexibility for various dishes.

Shaking reminder

Throughout the cooking process, the air fryer will beep to let you know it's time to shake the baskets to ensure even cooking. Genius!

Automatic steam clean

The auto steam clean function doesn't want you to battle with the post-dinner cleanup. It helps remove fat residue buildup, making cleaning up a breeze. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe.

What I loved...

The Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer is perfect for anyone looking to prepare quick, delicious, and healthy meals with minimal cleanup.

The ability to cook two different dishes simultaneously is a total game-changer. The automatic sync feature ensures both meals are ready at the same time, making timing a breeze.

And the fact that you can adjust settings like time, temperature, and cooking method –whether it's frying, baking, roasting, or grilling – gives plenty of flexibility.

Now, let's talk food. If there is one thing I hate cooking but love eating, it's chicken. More specifically, as an Austrian, I am a schnitzel lover (and harsh critic).

So, I decided to give it a try. Cooking crispy, crumbed chicken can be a bit of a patience game, requiring slow, controlled heat to ensure the inside is cooked through without burning the outside.

My pans are also usually too small to fit all the chicken I want to cook, and steaming vegetables at the same time means doubling up on the cleanup.

But with this air fryer, I was able to cook everything perfectly. I steamed my veggies while cooking the chicken, making for a quick and easy weekday meal.

And let me tell you, the results were fantastic. I achieved the crispiest chicken I've ever made at home, all while keeping it juicy, tender, and full of flavour.

Now, this is where the Shake Reminder was pure genius. Having an appliance that allows me to be lazy while still enjoying delicious, evenly cooked meals is what dreams are made of, so this feature was especially crucial when cooking the crispy chicken. Everything cooked perfectly without any strenuous effort on my part.

If smart appliances are the future, I'm ready for a time machine – I can't wait to see what's next.

Things to consider

One key consideration is the price. It's currently available for $348, which makes it more affordable in the context of other kitchen appliances, but it is definitely an investment piece.

Another consideration is the weight and size of the air fryer. It's extremely heavy and bulky, making it a challenge to transport. I found it difficult to move from work to my house, so it's definitely not something you'd want to move around frequently. Then again, this could be solved by having the air fryer sent directly to your house.

In terms of general size, the air fryer takes up the space of two appliances, which could be a problem for those with smaller kitchens. If counter space is limited, this could be a bit of a squeeze.

That said, the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer is like having 19 appliances in one. It's like having two super-fast ovens. If you're thinking about investing in a new oven, this is certainly a more affordable option.

And when you consider how many meals you'll be able to cook with it, the cost per use makes it well worth the investment.

My final thoughts

Consider this my love letter to the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer. It's fast, efficient, heats up in a flash, and makes cooking effortless. Honestly, I might even go so far as to say I'll never use an oven again.

The best part? With almost no dishes to clean up, it's truly changed the way I prep and eat.

As for the price, after using this air fryer, I can confidently say it's worth every dollar. I would rebuy this machine over and over again if I had to. I'd save up for months just to afford it because it's just that good.

Once you have the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Airfryer, you'll find you don't really need much else (except maybe your trusty chopping board).

Don't believe me? Try for yourself.

Check out other Philips air fryers:

Philips 5000 Series Airfryer XL

Now $384.95

Philips Dual Basket Airfryer 3000 Series

Was $399, now $319.95

Philips Airfryer Combi 7000 Series XXL

Was $599, now $379

Our writer was gifted the Philips Airfryer for the purpose of this review.

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