Chefman 14-Quart Air Fryer Review: Worth It?
The Chefman 14-Quart Multifunctional Air Fryer+ (RJ38-RDO-14B) is aimed at cooks who want more usable rack space than a basket fryer without stepping up to a full countertop oven. Its 1700W heater, three rack positions, rotisserie system, viewing window, five core cooking modes, and 450°F Hi-Fry finish make it unusually flexible around the $100–$150 range. Research on this exact model is still newer than on long-established rivals, but current owner feedback and independent testing give a fairly clear picture: capacity and versatility are the main reasons to buy it, while rack management and countertop space are the main compromises.
Quick Overview and Specifications
| Feature | Chefman RJ38-RDO-14B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 14 quarts with 3 rack positions |
| Power | 1700W / 120V |
| Temperature | 90°F–400°F; Hi-Fry reaches 450°F for the final 2 minutes |
| Functions | Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Dehydrate/Dry; separate Rotate control |
| Size / weight | 13.9 W × 13.2 D × 14.5 H in; about 13.2 lb |
| Included | 3 wire racks, drip/baking tray, rotisserie spit, fetch tool |
| Cleaning | Wire racks are top-rack dishwasher safe; housing is wipe-clean |
First Impressions
The 14-quart chamber is the first thing that separates this model from a standard drawer fryer. It is tall enough to distribute food across three shelves, yet its listed footprint is only about 14 inches wide. The front window and interior light are especially useful because oven-style air frying benefits from checking browning without repeatedly opening the door.
The touchscreen is straightforward rather than overloaded with presets. You choose a cooking function, time, and temperature, while dedicated controls handle the light, sound, rotation, and Hi-Fry. If you are new to the category, this guide on how an air fryer cooks food with concentrated convection explains why rack spacing matters so much in this design.
Performance & Feel
Independent testing of the exact RJ38-RDO-14B scored crispiness at 8.1/10 and evenness at 8.2/10. Fries, wings, and vegetables brown well, but the oven cavity does not produce quite the same deep crunch as a tightly sealed basket fryer. That is a fair trade when your priority is fitting more food in a single cycle.
Chefman’s own manual recommends 375–400°F for most air frying, light oil for fresh foods, and avoiding overcrowding. The 450°F Hi-Fry function is more than a marketing extra: it gives the final two minutes a hotter finishing blast, useful for pale fries, wings, or breaded food. For recipe conversions, the site’s guide to air-fryer versus oven cooking times is a practical reference.
Multi-Rack Evenness and Rotisserie Cooking
This is the most important secondary performance issue for a 14-quart oven-style fryer. Chefman explicitly advises switching rack positions halfway through cooking when multiple racks are loaded. That tells you what to expect: the extra capacity is real, but three shelves are not equally exposed to the heating elements at every moment.
Buyer feedback supports that nuance. Several owners praise the ability to cook multiple foods at once, while at least one exact-model review reports that food on the lowest rack can brown too aggressively. The rotisserie is the more distinctive advantage. Chefman recommends a roughly 3 to 3½-pound chicken, tightly trussed so it rotates freely, and includes a fetch tool so you do not have to grab the hot spit directly.
Durability and Cleaning
The appliance uses a metal-and-plastic body, a glass viewing door, wire racks, and a removable drip/baking tray. Chefman lists cETL approval and backs the model with a one-year warranty. Long-term exact-model history is limited because this version is relatively new, so it is more responsible to call durability promising than proven.
Cleaning is more involved than with one removable basket because there are three racks, a chamber, a door, and rotisserie hardware. The racks can go on the dishwasher’s top rack, but grease around the heating area and drip tray still needs regular wiping. It is also sensible to periodically check model numbers against current notices; the site’s air-fryer recall and safety guide explains that process.
Value for Money
Chefman lists this model at $149.99, while recent Amazon tracking has shown it near $100. At the lower price, the value proposition is strong: 14 quarts, 1700W, three racks, dehydrate mode, rotisserie, a viewing window, and Hi-Fry cover jobs that would otherwise require a basket fryer plus a small convection oven. Near full MSRP, the competition becomes tougher.
Comparison to Similar Competing Products
| Model | Where It Wins | Main Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Chefman 14-Qt RJ38-RDO-14B | Compact 14-qt footprint, 3 racks, rotisserie, 450°F Hi-Fry finish | Needs rack rotation on full loads |
| Gourmia 14-Qt GAF1220 | Same 14-qt class, 12 presets, guided preheat/turn reminders | Larger exterior and normally similar or higher pricing |
| Chefman 10L Air Fryer+ | Similar rack/rotisserie concept in a smaller chamber | Less capacity and older design |
| Emeril Lagasse 26QT | Much larger 26-qt chamber and broader oven-style versatility | Far larger countertop footprint |
The closest alternative is Gourmia’s 14-quart rotisserie oven if you want more one-touch presets. The Chefman 10L review makes sense if you like this concept but need something smaller, while the Emeril Lagasse 26QT review is the better comparison for shoppers who want a true countertop-oven replacement.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 14-quart capacity with three usable rack levels
- 1700W heating and 450°F Hi-Fry finishing
- Rotisserie spit and retrieval tool included
- Window and interior light improve monitoring
- Air fry, bake, broil, reheat, and dehydrate modes
Cons
- Multi-rack loads benefit from mid-cook repositioning
- More parts to wash than a basket fryer
- Large for genuinely tiny kitchens
- Independent long-term durability data is still limited
Who Should Buy This?
Buy it if you regularly cook for several people, want to spread wings or vegetables across racks, like the idea of rotisserie chicken, or want one appliance that can reheat, dehydrate, broil, and bake as well as air fry. Skip it if your normal meal is one or two portions, your counter is crowded, or your top priority is the deepest basket-style crunch with minimal cleanup.
Extended FAQ
Does the Chefman 14-Quart really reach 450°F?
Yes, but standard adjustable cooking runs from 90°F to 400°F. Hi-Fry raises the heat to 450°F for the final two minutes.
Can it cook on all three racks at once?
Yes. Chefman specifically markets all three rack positions for family-size cooking, but its manual recommends switching rack positions halfway through for better evenness.
How large a chicken fits on the rotisserie?
Chefman’s manual says a 3 to 3½-pound chicken works well when tightly trussed and centered so it can rotate without touching the cavity.
Are the accessories dishwasher safe?
The wire cooking racks are top-rack dishwasher safe. The main unit should be unplugged, cooled, and wiped clean rather than immersed.
Is it better than a basket air fryer?
It is better for capacity, flat rack space, rotisserie, and multi-function cooking. A good basket fryer is usually simpler to shake, clean, and use for small batches.
Does it need preheating?
Not every food requires it. For repeatable baking or browning, a short preheat can help, but frozen snacks and reheating can often start immediately.
Final Verdict
The Chefman 14-Quart Multifunctional Air Fryer+ is best understood as a compact convection oven with strong air-frying ability, not a giant version of a drawer fryer. Its three racks, rotisserie, 1700W heater, viewing window, and two-minute 450°F Hi-Fry boost give it legitimate versatility. The main compromise is that using all that rack space requires more attention to position and cleanup. Around $100, it is especially compelling for family cooking; closer to $150, compare the Gourmia and larger oven-style alternatives before buying.
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