The Tower T17088 Vortx 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is a modern kitchen essential, designed to make home cooking quicker, healthier, and more efficient. With its dual-basket technology, smart cooking features, and energy-saving capabilities, this air fryer is a great choice for families, meal preppers, and anyone looking to simplify their time in the kitchen.
Right out of the box, the Tower T17088 impresses with its sturdy construction and premium feel. Unlike some budget models, this one gives the impression that it will stand the test of time. The 9-litre total capacity is divided between two 4.5-litre baskets, offering excellent versatility when cooking different foods simultaneously. The black and stainless-steel finish adds a modern touch, ensuring it fits well in most kitchen setups.
While the appliance does take up some counter space, its capabilities more than justify the footprint. It’s far more than just an air fryer—it's a compact, powerful convection oven that can handle a variety of cooking tasks with ease.
After weeks of use, it’s clear that this air fryer delivers on its promises. From crispy chips to perfectly roasted meats, the Vortx technology ensures that food is cooked evenly with a satisfying crunch.
The dual-basket feature is a standout, making it easy to prepare an entire meal in one go. Cooking chicken in one basket and vegetables in the other means no waiting around, and thanks to the Smart Finish feature, everything is ready to serve at the same time.
Another impressive feature is the preheat function, which cuts down cooking times significantly. Unlike a conventional oven that takes about 10 minutes to preheat, this air fryer reaches 180°C in just 3 minutes, making it a great option for quick meals.
For those new to air frying, the preset programmes are extremely helpful. Whether making chips, steak, or baked goods, simply pressing a button provides optimal settings for great results. Although there is no dedicated option to save custom presets, manual adjustments are quick and simple, making this a minor issue.
Cleaning up is effortless thanks to the non-stick baskets and trays. Unlike some lower-end models where non-stick coatings wear off quickly, the Tower T17088’s surfaces appear durable and well-made.
To make maintenance even easier, liner trays can be used, reducing the need to scrub after each use. This is particularly useful for sticky or greasy foods. However, users should ensure they purchase properly designed liners to prevent them from getting caught in the air circulation, which can be a fire hazard.
To get the most out of this air fryer, a few additional items are recommended:
Before purchasing the Tower T17088, comparisons were made with other leading brands, including Ninja. While the Ninja models are well known, it appears that much of the price premium is due to branding. The Tower fryer offers similar (if not better) build quality at a more competitive price point.
The quality of non-stick coating was also a deciding factor. Cheaper models often suffer from coatings peeling off quickly, whereas this model was rated highly in a Channel 4 documentary on air fryers for its long-lasting non-stick surface.
✅ Dual baskets allow for cooking two different dishes at once.
✅ Smart Finish & Match Cook make meal prep seamless.
✅ Large 9L capacity suits families and meal preppers.
✅ Energy-efficient, reducing electricity bills.
✅ Versatile cooking options including air fry, bake, roast, and grill.
✅ Fast preheating in just 3 minutes.
✅ Intuitive digital display for easy operation.
✅ Durable build and high-quality non-stick coating.
❌ Takes up counter space, though justified by its functionality.
❌ No option to save custom presets, but manual adjustments are straightforward.
The Tower T17088 Vortx 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer is an excellent investment for anyone looking to streamline their home cooking. Its dual-basket system, intelligent cooking features, and energy efficiency make it a stand-out choice among air fryers in its price range.
While some minor improvements could be made, such as the ability to save custom presets, these are outweighed by the fryer’s outstanding performance, ease of use, and cost savings.
For those looking to cut down on cooking times, reduce energy consumption, and enjoy crispy, delicious meals with minimal effort, this air fryer is a highly recommended purchase.