Number of programs
The total number of cooking programs provided in the device.
The more this number — the more extensive the possibilities, the wider the choice of the user. However, note that a specific set of modes may be different, this point in each case should be clarified separately. See "Programmes" for details on specific modes.
Programmes
Cooking programs provided in the device. The most common cooking programs are:
fries,
chips,
chicken,
meat,
shrimps,
fish,
pizza,
vegetables.
— Fries. The fryer offers a specialized automatic cooking program designed specifically for preparing dishes like crispy potatoes, mushrooms, or meat in batter. While these dishes can be cooked in any deep fryer, this program simplifies the process. With this program, users no longer need to manually monitor the cooking time and temperature. They simply load the ingredients, select the appropriate mode, start the cooking process, and wait for it to complete. In multi-ovens and air fryers, this type of cooking can be achieved with minimal amounts of oil or even without oil at all, providing healthier cooking options.
— Chips. The fryer offers a dedicated cooking program specifically designed for making potato chips, which are thin and crispy slices of potato. While chips can be cooked in any deep fryer, if the device does not have a built-in cooking program, users will need to manually configure the cooking parameters and closely monitor the process. Alternatively, the option to cook chips may also be available in multi-ovens and convection ovens (
...see "Type"), expanding the cooking possibilities beyond traditional deep fryers.
— Chicken. A cooking program specifically designed for cooking chicken meat is commonly available in multi-ovens and air fryers. This program typically involves baking the chicken. However, deep fryers are less commonly equipped with this specific program. In deep fryers, the emphasis is usually on frying chicken with batter or without it.
— Meat. Program for cooking meat (veal, pork, etc.). It is used mainly in multi-ovens and air fryers, which means roasting meat.
— Shrimps. A cooking program specifically designed for cooking shrimps is commonly available in deep fryers, which typically allow frying shrimp in tempura batter. Air fryers and multi-ovens, on the other hand, may offer different cooking options for shrimps, such as boiling, particularly in the case of multi-ovens.
— Fish. Programme for cooking fish. In deep fryers (see "Type") fish is most often cooked in batter, in small pieces; it is possible to bake the whole fish, if the volume of the working space allows it in multi-ovens and air fryers.
— Pizza. A programme optimized for pizza making. The "Pizza" program, commonly found in multi-ovens, ensures that Italian dishes, as well as casseroles and pies, are cooked evenly on all sides. This program is designed to create a crispy crust on the top while maintaining a juicy filling inside.
— Vegetables. The "Vegetables" program, commonly available in multi-ovens, is characterized by its moderate temperature setting. It allows for slow and gentle heating of vegetables, similar to stewing. This program is ideal for preparing various vegetable-based dishes such as side dishes, stews, complex dishes and soup dressings.
— Auto-cooking. In addition to those described above, the design may also provide for other types of auto-cooking programs — for example, for mushrooms, barbecue, baking bread, etc.Basket capacity
The capacity of the deep fryer basket or multi-oven bowl, or air fryer flask (see "Type") in kilograms is the maximum amount of food that can be loaded into the device at one time.
For deep fryers used in everyday life, a capacity of up to 0.6 – 0.8 kg is considered quite sufficient; it is rarely useful to fry numerous foods at a time at home. But models that can hold from a kilogram or more are designed mainly for industrial use — in cafes, canteens, etc. In turn, multi-ovens with a capacity of up to 0.8 kg can be called small, up to 1.5 kg — medium, more than 1.5 kg — large. Air fryers have approximately the same capacity.
Volume
The volume of the multi-cooker bowl, deep fryer basket, air fryer container, or the cooking chamber of a multi-oven.
This parameter is measured in liters and is directly related to the capacity of the basket (see above) — larger volumes are required for a greater quantity of food. For deep fryers (see "Type"), this parameter is usually specified not by the total volume but by the amount of oil needed for standard operation, providing an estimate of how much oil is required for the appliance. In models with separate compartments (see below), the volume may be indicated for each section individually.
