Gourmia 8QT vs Square 6QT Air Fryer
Which one has better window, capacity, and ease of use? Let's find out.
Air fryers with viewing windows are becoming increasingly popular – no more guessing or opening the basket to check on your food. Today we're comparing two mid-range models: the Gourmia 8QT with FryForce 360° technology and a 6QT Square Air Fryer with a large visual window. Both are great, but each suits different needs. After testing both for two weeks, here's our honest breakdown.
1. Gourmia 8 Qt Air Fryer – Large Capacity with Interior Light
Price: Around $80–$100
Best for: Families of 4-6 who want a large basket, interior light, and a fun green color.
Our Experience & Tips
The Gourmia 8QT is a beast. We cooked a full 5-pound chicken, 3 pounds of fries, and even a small casserole. The FryForce 360° technology circulates air aggressively – everything came out evenly crispy without needing to shake as often as smaller units. The Easy View window is actually useful, but the real standout is the interior light. With a press of a button, you can see your food without opening the basket or using your phone's flashlight. The digital display has 8 presets (fries, chicken, fish, etc.), and they're accurate. The green color is a nice departure from boring black or stainless steel.
Tip: Because of the large capacity, make sure you preheat for at least 4 minutes. The basket is dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing preserves the nonstick coating longer. We used the dehydrate function for apple chips – set to 135°F for 5 hours, perfect results. One minor complaint: the window fogs up during the first few minutes, but the interior light helps you see through it anyway.
What to Consider Before Buying
The Gourmia is large – about 14 inches deep and 13 inches tall. Measure your counter before buying. The green color is fun but might not match every kitchen aesthetic. The nonstick coating is traditional PTFE (PFOA-free), not ceramic. If you prefer PFAS-free materials, this isn't it. The presets are helpful, but we still found ourselves using manual temperature control most of the time. Overall, for large families or meal preppers, this is a fantastic value.
2. 6QT Square Air Fryer – Best Visual Window & 12 Modes
Price: Around $70–$90
Best for: Couples or small families (2-4 people) who want a large viewing window and 12 cooking modes.
Our Experience & Tips
This square-shaped air fryer surprised us with its enormous viewing window – it's almost the entire front of the unit. You can see your food browning in real-time without bending down or using a flashlight. The 12 preset modes include roast, bake, dehydrate, reheat, and more. We tested the fries preset: 15 minutes at 400°F, and they came out crispy with just one shake. The square basket is actually more spacious than it looks – we fit a 9-inch pizza and 2 pounds of wings easily. The 400°F max temperature is standard but effective.
Tip: The window is glass (not plastic), which is a huge plus – it doesn't scratch easily and cleans up well. However, it does get hot, so don't touch it during cooking. The auto-off feature is a nice safety touch. We used the dehydrate function for beef jerky – 135°F for 5 hours, excellent results. The nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe, but the square shape means it takes up more space in your dishwasher. Hand-washing is faster.
What to Consider Before Buying
The 6QT capacity is perfect for 2-3 people, but if you cook for 4-5 regularly, you'll need two batches. The unit is quieter than the Gourmia – about 58dB. However, the control panel uses touch-sensitive icons that can be unresponsive if your hands are greasy. The nonstick coating is also PTFE-based (PFOA-free). The square shape is a bit unusual – it fits well in corners but may look odd on some counters. For most small families, this is an excellent balance of size, visibility, and features.
Quick Comparison: Gourmia 8QT vs Square 6QT
| Feature | Gourmia 8QT | Square 6QT |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 QT (feeds 4-6) | 6 QT (feeds 2-4) |
| Window | Small, plus interior light | Large, full-front glass |
| Presets | 8 | 12 |
| Max Temperature | 400°F | 400°F |
| Dishwasher-safe basket | Yes | Yes |
| Special feature | Interior light + green color | Extra-large viewing window |
Must-Have Accessory: Air Fryer Paper Liners
Whichever air fryer you choose, you'll want to make cleanup effortless. These 125-pack square paper liners are a game-changer. They're non-stick, oil-proof, and fit 5-8 QT baskets perfectly (including both models above). After cooking greasy wings or sticky teriyaki chicken, just lift the liner out and toss it – your basket stays practically clean. No scrubbing, no soaking. They're made from unbleached, food-grade parchment paper and are heat-resistant up to 450°F.
Our Experience & Tips: We've used these liners for months. They don't block airflow (as long as you don't overlap the edges), and they save us at least 10 minutes of cleaning per meal. However, don't use them with the preheat function – add the liner right before adding food. Also, for very lightweight foods like loose fries, the liner might fly up; just weigh it down with a few pieces of food. For the price (around $0.10 per liner), they're a no-brainer.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
- Get the Gourmia 8QT if you have a large family (4-6 people), need maximum capacity, or love the idea of an interior light and fun green color. It's a workhorse that handles big batches with ease.
- Get the Square 6QT if you cook for 2-4 people, want the best possible viewing window (almost the entire front), or prefer 12 preset modes. It's more compact and still very capable.
- Don't skip the paper liners regardless of which air fryer you choose. They're cheap, effective, and will save you hours of scrubbing over time.
Both air fryers are excellent choices under $100. The Gourmia wins on capacity and interior light; the Square wins on window size and preset variety. Choose based on your household size and counter space. Happy crispy cooking!
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