Technology
Ninja Double Stack: How Much Space Does It Actually Save You?
Ninja’s newest air fryer is the Double Stack XL. In the US it is called the DoubleStack XL. The only difference between the two is the space between the words in the product name, but in every other respect, including the cooking space, this two-drawer air fryer is the same.
The real point of buying this instead of one of Ninja’s other excellent two-tray air fryers is that it will free up some countertop space. If you have a smaller kitchen, this may be the only two-drawer air fryer you can squeeze into the space.
The Double Stack is available from Ninja in the UK for £269.99 and from Ninja US for $229.99.
But how much counter space do you get back if you buy one? In this article we compare it to Ninja’s Foodi FlexDrawer, which also costs £269.99 from Ninja.
In the US, Ninja’s FlexDrawer model is called the FlexBasket. It is a 7QT air fryer with slightly different dimensions, so the product comparisons in the images below will not be accurate. We do mention the dimensions of popular Ninja models so you can compare.
Dimensions
If you put the two air fryers next to each other, you will see that this is the case terribly similar in size. The official dimensions of the Double Stack are 38.5 (H) x 28 (W) x 47 cm (D) (15.14 inches x 11.25 x 19.22 inches).
The dimensions of the FlexDrawer are 32.7 (H) x 49.6 (W) x 31.6 cm (D).
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
The Double Stack is therefore very close in size to the FlexDrawer, as you can see from above when they are placed next to each other.
In the US, the FlexBasket has different specifications than the UK model. But here are the dimensions of popular US models for comparison purposes:
- DoubleStack (10QT): 11.25 (L) x 15.14 (H) x 19.22 in (W) – $229.99
- Foodi Double Tray (10QT): 12.8 (H) x 13.9 (W) x 17.1 in (L) – $249.99
- FlexBasket (7QT): 11.26 (H) x 11.81 (W) x 18.19 inches (L) – $159.99
As you can see, the DoubleStack and the Foodi Dual Drawer in the US have a similar size and capacity.
Where does the space saving of the Double Stack come from?
Well, that takes two forms.
Cooking capacity
If you place the cooking drawers of the Double Stack and the FlexDrawer next to each other, you will see that their contents are almost identical. You can even swap the crisper drawers from one to the other and they will fit perfectly.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Each FlexDrawer drawer has a capacity of 5.2 liters, but you can remove the insert that separates them for a full 10.4 liters of space.
The Double Stack has a capacity of 4.75 liters (5QT) per drawer, for a total of 9.5 liters (10QT). So it seems to have slightly less cooking space than the FlexDrawer.
However, it comes with a pair of wire cooking racks that you can place and use with a special cooking setting to give each drawer two layers of cooking space. Depending on the type of food you’re making, this can double the amount you can fit: Ninja recommends veggies on the bottom and proteins on the grills.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Still, there’s a slight compromise in the fact that the heat source is at the back of the Double Stack, rather than above your head like most air fryers. This means that the backs of the drawers are perforated to allow hot air to circulate, reducing the number of types of food you can cook (wet food just won’t work). It also means that it is even more important that you do not overload the tray so that the food can cook evenly.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
On the kitchen counter
But on the counter the difference is clear. In my small kitchen I need to maximize space and every inch counts.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
(Remember, if you’re in the US, the 10QT Foodi Dual-Drawer is the 10QT Foodi Dual-Drawer, which has similar dimensions.)
The Double Stack is essentially a conventional two-tray air fryer that’s switched so you can access the trays from one side. That means that even though it takes up the same amount of counter space, it only uses half the width but most of the depth of the counter.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Yes, you lose a bit of space on the side where the control panel is mounted (although that has been taken into account in the product dimensions), but for the most part the Double Stack saves space by taking up ‘dead’ kitchen space, including the area above the kitchen. height of a traditional air fryer, and the space in front of it. There’s still enough space above to fit under standard kitchen cupboards, and you can still open the front drawers to check if food is done, although you may want to slide them aside for filling and emptying.
How much space does the Double Stack save you?
Compared to a standard two-drawer air fryer, we think the Double Stack will save you about 20 cm / 8 inches along your countertop, and in return it will take up dead space that you can’t use any other way. In a compact kitchen you will find that it is worth it.
Additionally, the removable cooking grates allow you to double the amount of cooking space inside – although keep in mind that this will only be useful for certain types of food, such as chicken or fish, and vegetables.
The Double Stack is available from Ninja in the UK for £269.99 and from Ninja US for $229.99.
