Is the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer worth the hype? An honest review
Air fryers have completely changed how I cook dinner. Like many of you, I jumped on the bandwagon a while ago and never looked back. But with so many options now available, it is hard to know which one is actually worth your money.
I recently got my hands on the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer. It promises a massive capacity without taking up all your worktop space. The design is clever because it stacks the baskets on top of each other rather than side-by-side. This sounded perfect for my kitchen full of gadgets, but I wanted to see if it lived up to the claims.
I have been testing this machine thoroughly. In this review, I will share exactly what I found. I will cover everything from how easy it is to use to how well it actually cooks your food. I will also tell you if I think the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer is worth the £99.99 price tag.
First impressions and design
When I first unboxed the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer, the first thing I noticed was the shape. Most dual air fryers are very wide and take up a huge chunk of the counter. This one is different. It is taller and narrower because the baskets are stacked.
It measures 35.2cm high, 44.5cm wide, and 27.9cm deep. While it is still a big appliance, the footprint feels much more manageable than other 11-litre models I have seen.
The build quality feels decent. It is mostly black plastic, which is standard for air fryers these days. It looks modern and sleek. The baskets have viewing windows, which I love. Being able to see your food cooking without opening the drawer and letting heat escape is a really useful feature.
One thing that stood out was the control panel. It is a touch screen that folds back. This is a nice touch for storage.
Capacity and baskets
The total capacity is 11 litres, split between two 5.5-litre baskets. This is a lot of space. Swan claims you can cook a whole chicken in each drawer. I haven’t tried, but it seems likely.
Because you have two separate drawers, you can cook different things at the same time. I tried cooking a main dish in one and a side dish in the other. It is great for feeding a family or for meal prepping for the week.
The baskets come with grill plates that you can take out for cleaning. The non-stick coating seems to work well so far. Food slides right off, and they wash up easily with hot, soapy water.
One minor gripe is that the stacked design can make it a bit tricky to check the bottom basket if you have the top one open. You have to be careful not to knock anything. But overall, the space-saving design in the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer is a winner for me.
Cooking performance
This is the most essential part. Does the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer actually cook food well? The short answer is yes, but with a few caveats.
I started with the classic air fryer test: homemade chips. I used the preset function for fries. The results were good. The chips came out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I did give the basket a good shake halfway through, which the machine reminds you to do with a beep.
I have also tried things like frozen onion rings, reheating pizza and crisping jacket potatoes.
However, I did notice a slight difference in cooking speed between the two drawers of the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer. The top drawer seemed to cook slightly faster than the bottom one. This might be due to how the heat circulates. It is not a deal-breaker, but something to keep in mind. You might need to add an extra minute or two for food in the bottom basket.
I also found that the temperature controls took some getting used to. You have to be precise with the touch screen. Sometimes it felt a bit unresponsive, and I had to press a few times to get it to register.
Swan claims their “Cyclone Technology” used in the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer saves up to 67% on energy compared to a conventional oven. While I cannot measure the exact percentage in my kitchen, it definitely cooked faster than my big electric oven. The National Energy Foundation states that air fryers generally consume less electricity due to their smaller size and convection fans, so the savings are real.
Features and functions
The Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer comes with 10 preset functions. These include settings for fries, chicken, steak, and fish. I found the presets to be a good starting point, but I often adjusted the time and temperature manually to suit my taste.
There are two standout features on this model:
- Sync Finish: This ensures that both baskets finish cooking at the exact same time. This is brilliant if you are cooking meat in one drawer and veggies in the other. No more cold side dishes while you wait for the other dish to finish.
- Dual Cook: This matches the settings for both baskets. If you are cooking a huge batch of chips across both drawers, you just set it once and hit this button.
The temperature range goes from 60°C to 200°C. This is standard for most air fryers. It is hot enough to crisp up bacon but low enough to gently reheat leftovers.
The Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer timer goes up to 60 minutes. This is plenty for most meals. If you are slow-cooking something, you might need to reset it, but for day-to-day cooking, it is fine.
Safety and cleaning
Safety is always a priority in the kitchen. The Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer has an auto-shutoff function, which gives me peace of mind. It turns off if you pull the basket out.
The outside of the unit does get warm while cooking, but not dangerously hot. Just make sure you leave enough space around it for air to circulate. My guide to your first air fryer will help with that.
Cleaning is straightforward. The baskets and grill plates are not listed as dishwasher safe in the manual I saw, so I stuck to hand washing. The non-stick coating makes this easy. A quick wipe with a sponge usually does the trick. I would recommend avoiding harsh scourers so you do not damage the coating.
It is important to ensure food is cooked safely. When cooking poultry like chicken or turkey, the Food Standards Agency advises that the food should be steaming hot and cooked all the way through, with no pink meat. The core temperature should reach 70°C for 2 minutes. I used a meat thermometer to be sure, and the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer hit these temperatures reliably.
The pros and cons
To help you decide, here is a quick summary of what I liked and did not like about the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer.
Pros:
- Space-saving design: The stacked baskets are great for smaller kitchens.
- Large capacity: 11 litres is enough to feed a large family.
- Viewing windows: You can check your food without losing heat.
- Sync function: Everything is ready at the same time.
- Good value: At under £100, it is cheaper than many other dual air fryers.
Cons:
- Touch screen: It can be a bit dim and sometimes unresponsive, but after a few presses, it works fine.
- Uneven cooking: The top drawer seems to cook slightly faster than the bottom.
- Bulky: Even though it saves width, it is quite tall and deep.
- Instruction manual: It is a bit basic and could be clearer on cooking times for each of the preprogrammed options.
My verdict
After using the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer for a few weeks, I am impressed. It is not perfect, but for the price, it offers many features.
The stacked design is a clever solution for anyone short on counter space. The capacity is fantastic, and the cooking results are generally very good once you get the hang of the timings.
If you are looking for a high-end air fryer with a premium feel, you might want to spend a bit more on a brand like Ninja. But if you want a solid, family-sized air fryer that does the job well without costing a fortune, this Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer is a great choice. It has earned a permanent spot on my kitchen counter.
Frequently asked questions for the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer
Can you cook different foods in each drawer?
Yes, absolutely. You can set different times and temperatures for the top and bottom baskets. This allows you to cook a complete meal, like chicken and roasted vegetables, at the same time.
Is it dishwasher safe?
The manufacturer recommends hand washing the baskets and grill trays to preserve the non-stick coating. They are very easy to clean with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge.
How much energy does it save?
Swan claims it saves up to 67% on energy compared to a conventional oven. This is because it is smaller and heats up much faster. While your exact savings will depend on your energy tariff and how much you use it, air fryers are generally much cheaper to run than electric ovens.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes, the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer comes with a standard 1-year warranty. You can often extend this to 2 years if you register your product on the Swan website shortly after purchase. It is always worth checking the specific terms when you buy.
Is it noisy?
It makes a whirring sound from the fans, similar to a microwave or an extractor fan on a low setting. It is not silent, but I did not find it too loud or distracting while I was in the kitchen.
Do you have the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer? Would you agree with my review? Perhaps this is one of many you have been researching before treating yourself to a new air fryer? Or is it your first? Whatever your experience, I hope this has helped you. If you want to buy the Swan 11L Duo Layer Air Fryer, then pop to the Swan website and check if it is for you.
