Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer Review
*AD – Instant VortePlus gifted for review
With an extra-large single or dual cooking drawer, can the Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer overhaul or family mealtimes? I put it to the test to find out
As a busy mum of two and the parent of a picky eater, mealtimes are quite the whirlwind in this house. Not only do we always seem to be short on time, but with different food preferences, we also always seem to eat different things. I am forever juggling multiple dishes, and let’s be honest – it’s exhausting.
Over recent months, we have been attempting to sit around the table together at the table again. I’ve also been trying to eat healthier and lose some weight, so swapping my weekly takeaway to fakeaways has been high on the agenda.
A huge fan of my Instant Multicooker, I was keen to test out the Instant VortexPlus. With one extra large VersaZone drawer that can be used as a single or dual – i was excited to be able to cook large quantities or two meals simulatenously. After 2 months of testing and putting the Instant through its paces, here’s my full Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer review.
Key Specifications
DImensions – 31.4 x 38.4 x 40.4 cm | Weight: 7.1kg | Capacity: 8.5 litres (or two 4.1 litre drawers | Modes: 6 – Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Grill, Dehydrate and Reheat
Overall verdict
The Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone has made a great addition to my family’s mealtimes. While I’ve barely even scratched the surface of its full capabilities, this energy-efficient, quick, and easy-to-use air fryer has been a joy to experiment with, so much so I’ve barely touched my fan oven!
What I love
- Versatile air fryer that can be used as a single or dual drawer
- Large capacity for families
- Easy to use touchpanel
- Can cook two meals simulatenously – ideal for picky eaters!
- Can sync baskets so both sides finish together
- Not too bulky (compared to other similair capacity air fryers)
What could be better
- Washing the drawer can be a bit cumbersome
- No viewing window to see cooking progress
First impressions of the Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer
My first impresssions of the Instant Vortex VersaZone were really positive. The air fryer came well packaged in a large box with protective polystyrene. Despite its large capacity, the design isnt as bulky as some dual air fryers I’ve seen, with a relatively compact design made from in shiny glossy black
The large VersaZone drawer has two chunky handles, making it easy to open and close, and robust, non-stick feet, so it sits securely on your kitchen countertops. I was slightly worried about how easily the gloss design would show finferprints, but it looked stylish and premium – and I was more than happy to have it out on display in my kitchen.
At first glance the menu system also looked really intutive – a big plus point for an air fryer beginner!
Getting started
The Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone couldn’t be easier to use, with a clear touchscreen control panel and dial combined with visual and audible prompts that guide you every step of the way- including when to add food and when to turn during cooking.
There are six different cooking modes, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Grill, Dehydrate and Reheat,. I found it really easy to navigate, selecting my chosen mode, temperature and timings
The air fryer comes with.a basic getting started guide and QR code with recipe inspiration – handy if you’re unsure where to begin.
What have I cooked in the Instant Vortex Plus Versa Zone?
What haven’t I cooked more like?
I have had so much fun creating fakeaways at home with the kids. From chicken kebab skewers to the biggest hit – cripsy shredded chilli beef just like our local Chinese.
When used as a single drawer, there is plenty of space inside, allowing large portions to feed the whoe family. With.a shake of the basket at the midway point, the results were really impressive.
In Air fryer mode, I’ve also cooked chicken dippers, fish fingers, and, of course, chips straight from the freezer —the latter of which my 8-year-old announced were the best chips she’s ever had—crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Central Divider
One of the best features of the Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer is the central divider, which makes it quick and easy to convert the single large drawer into a dual drawer air fryer. Using the removable divider, it creates two 4.1-litre drawers both of which can be used indepdently – even with different modes, temperatures and timings. I found this really useful when I was eating something different to the kids. If my food took a little longer than the kids, I could sync the end times – automatically adjusting the temperature so that both meals are ready to tuck into together.
Other modes
The other mode that has been used most frequently over the last few months has been the Reheat function – ideal for leftovers, reducing waste and saving money by reheating pasta or pizza from the day before. As its spring and we’ve had warm temperatures, I am yet to try the roast chicken, but theres easily space for a family roast.
Cleaning the Instant VortexPlus VersaZone Air Fryer
Overall, the Instant VortexPlus VersaZone Air Fryer is quick and easy to clean, with both the divider and base tray removable and dishwasher safe. This is a real bonus as some foods, like fatty sausages, bacon and my fakeaway dishes can cause quite a build-up on the base tray, making it quite tricky to clean by hand.
One slight quibble is that the drawer is quite bulky with the handles attached and the whole thing needs to go in the sink to clean. It would’ve been great if the internal drawer could’ve been pulled out separately to the handles, as the size is quite cumbersome. It also means you have to wash it on its own and not with a sink full of dirty dishes.
