In this section, we’ll breakdown some of the most obvious pros and cons to the Vortex® 6qt air fryer. These are all based on first-hand experience after using this air fryer for 2+ years. When you put food on multiple trays at at time, it doesn’t cook evenly, so you must swap the trays halfway through your cooking time. Getting the rotisserie basket in the first few times is the hardest part.
The basket takes up a lot of real estate in the washer — the nonstick coating releases debris with ease, so it was easy to clean with a sponge. Plus, you can use silicone air fryer liners to almost eliminate the need to wash it altogether. I’ve been testing air fryers regularly for a year, and have become very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of various features, as well as what to look for in everyday use. Millie put this air fryer to the test for a number of weeks to make fries, bacon, and roasted vegetables. She will keep this review updated with any thoughts on how it compares to other models on the market.
Bacon cooked on air fry was one of my favorite results in testing. It was crispy and the design of the slotted baking tray allows grease to drip through to a foil-lined crumb tray below, making cleanup nice and easy. Another great option is our best budget air fryer pick, the Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore.
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them. If the heating element gets dirty, you can wipe it with a damp cloth when the unit is turned off, cooled, and unplugged. None of the Cosori models on our list were included in the February 2023 recall.
The controls couldn’t be simpler, and we definitely didn’t need to consult the manual before getting started. Brussels sprouts, frozen French fries and breaded chicken cutlets came out just about perfect; all were browned, crisped, moist and tender. Homemade French fries came out reasonably browned and crispy instant vortex without becoming dry or cardboard-like in just 18 minutes. This air fryer didn’t perform quite so well on chicken wings though, as these were cooked to doneness, but could have been better browned and crisped. As the manufacturer claims you can cook 2 pounds of French fries, we cooked a whole bag at once.
We haven’t tried this feature yet but we are going to buy a Vortex® with this clear basket in the very near future to test it. Eric’s parents have an Instant™ Vortex® Plus 6-in-1 that is a direct step up from ours. The Instant™ instant vortex Vortex® Plus 6-in-1 model might also comes with a “dehydrate” setting. Yes, it has a function known as auto-turn off which means it’s always on a timer. When the timer runs out, it says “End” and then turns itself off.
Love love love that I don’t have to mess around cleaning the bottom of the actual unit. This is not one of those kitchen appliances you pull in and out of a cupboard. Unlike small appliances, it is one that stays on the countertop.