Cooking for a family of four or more means picking an air fryer with enough capacity to handle full meals without batching. Below we compare a roomy 8 qt PFAS-free pick and a premium stainless 6.5 qt option built for higher heat and smart control.
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Overview The Nuwave Brio Plus is a large-capacity countertop air fryer with an 8 qt basket sized for family meals. It runs 1800 watts with a temperature range of 100°–400°F and 7 digital one-touch cook functions covering air fry, roast, bake, reheat, broil, dehydrate, and grill. The basket is PFAS-free with a non-stick coating, and the digital panel supports preheat, delay, and a probe-style temperature check.
The standout here is raw capacity – a true 8 qt basket fits a whole chicken, a tray of wings for the table, or enough fries for four without splitting the cook into rounds. The PFAS-free coating is the second reason it lands the family pick: with kids eating from this thing several times a week, skipping forever-chemical non-stick matters more than a few extra dollars in price.
Trade-offs are real. The footprint is large and the unit is tall, so it eats counter space and may not fit under low cabinets. The single-basket layout means you cannot run two foods at different temperatures at once – something a dual-zone unit handles better. The fan is also on the louder side at full speed.
Pros
True 8 qt capacity handles meals for 4–6 without batching
PFAS-free basket coating
1800W heating and 100°–400°F range for crisping and low-temp work
7 one-touch functions plus preheat and delay start
Reasonable price for the size class
Cons
Large footprint – needs dedicated counter space
Single basket, no dual-zone cooking
Fan noise noticeable at high heat
Best for households of four or more who want one big basket and a PFAS-free cooking surface without paying premium prices.
Overview The COSORI Iconic is a 6.5 qt smart air fryer wrapped in a stainless steel exterior. It reaches a max of 450°F for higher-heat searing and crisping, with a PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket. The unit includes Wi-Fi and app control with guided recipes, voice assistant support, and a multi-function preset menu covering air fry, roast, bake, broil, reheat, dehydrate, and proof.
The 450°F ceiling is what separates this from most family-size fryers – it actually crisps skin and gets a real crust on steak or salmon in a way 400°F units cannot. The ceramic non-stick is PFAS-free, the stainless body wipes clean, and the app is useful for families because anyone in the house can start a preset from their phone without learning the panel.
The downsides are price and capacity. At $249 it is roughly double the Nuwave, and 6.5 qt is the practical floor for a family of four – you will still batch a full sheet of wings. The ceramic coating, while non-toxic, is more fragile than hard-anodized surfaces and needs soft utensils to avoid scratching.
Pros
450°F max temperature for proper searing and crisping
PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket
Stainless steel exterior wipes clean and looks at home on the counter
Wi-Fi, app control, and voice assistant support
Multi-preset menu covering everything from proof to dehydrate
Cons
Premium price compared to similar capacity units
6.5 qt is the lower edge of family-size – batches needed for big meals
Ceramic coating requires careful utensil use to last
Best for households that want stainless build quality, higher-heat performance, and smart control in one mid-sized basket.
