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Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want an exact-fit replacement crisper tray for a Ninja 6.5QT OL500/OL501 Foodi, choose ALJ 6.5QT; if you need a double-layer stainless steel rack that stacks two levels of food in one cooking session, choose VILLCASE Double Layer Grill.
• ALJ 6.5QT — biggest trade-off: It's a one-level replacement tray, not a stacking rack, and it only fits the specific Ninja 6.5QT models named — it's not a universal accessory.
• VILLCASE Double Layer Grill — biggest strength: The two-tier design roughly doubles usable cooking surface in a single session, and stainless steel construction with strong heat conduction suits dehydrating fruit, jerky and batch cooking.
• VILLCASE Double Layer Grill — biggest trade-off: It's a generic-size accessory (about 7.86 x 7.86 x 2.75 inches) rather than a model-specific fit, so you need to check it actually clears your air fryer basket before relying on it.
• Who each is for: ALJ 6.5QT is for Ninja OL500/OL501 owners replacing a worn or missing crisper plate; VILLCASE is for anyone who wants to cook two layers at once or dehydrate in batches.
The ALJ 6.5QT is a direct replacement part, and that's its whole identity. It's made for Ninja 6.5QT OL500 and OL501 Foodi Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer units, which is a narrow but very specific audience — people who already own one of those machines and whose original crisper plate has scratched, warped or gone missing. The round shape and roughly 7.9 x 7.9 inch footprint mirror the basket geometry those models use, and ALJ even notes you can adjust the tightness of the four feet to get a better fit in your particular unit. That's a thoughtful detail for a part like this, because small manufacturing tolerances can make a tray sit loose or too snug.
The materials story is straightforward: food-grade carbon steel with a double-layer nonstick coating, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. There's a handle so you can lift the hot tray out of the basket without tongs gymnastics. It ships with three silicone rubber bumpers and a nonstick cleaning cloth, and the maker warns against scouring it with abrasive pads or metal balls, which would chew up the coating. At 0.32 ounces it's a thin, light plate — think "crisper surface," not "heavy grill grate."
Who should buy it: Ninja 6.5QT OL500/OL501 owners who want a proper replacement tray with a nonstick surface and an easy-lift handle. Who should skip it: anyone with a different air fryer brand or size, and anyone hoping to stack two levels of food — this is a single-layer plate, so if double-layer capacity is your goal, it isn't the tool for that job. Also skip it if you prefer bare stainless steel over a coated surface.
The VILLCASE Double Layer Grill is the opposite kind of accessory: universal-ish rather than model-specific, and built around the idea of more surface area. It's a stainless steel two-tier rack measuring about 7.86 x 7.86 x 2.75 inches, silver in color, with the layers stacked vertically. The design intent is clear from the description — lock in and dehydrate different fruits and meats, save space, and produce more food in one batch. Stainless steel gives it good heat conduction, so it comes up to temperature quickly and cooks food evenly across both levels.
Durability is the other selling point. Stainless steel resists deformation, cleans up easily, and won't flake or peel the way a coated surface eventually can. The maker pitches it for parties, family gatherings and even picnics, and suggests it as a gift for people who like barbecue — which tells you it's positioned as a general kitchen helper, not a repair part. The two tiers make it genuinely useful for jerky, dried fruit, reheating multiple portions, or crisping a main and a side at the same time.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants to cook two layers at once, dehydrate in batches, or add a sturdy stainless rack to an air fryer with enough vertical clearance. Who should skip it: people who need an exact-fit replacement plate for a specific model, anyone whose basket is too shallow for a 2.75-inch-tall stacked rack, and anyone who wants a nonstick surface — stainless steel is not nonstick, so you'll want oil or parchment where sticking is a concern.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Ninja OL500/OL501 owners → ALJ 6.5QT. It's built specifically for those 6.5QT models, right down to the adjustable feet.
• Best for dehydrating fruit, jerky or batches → VILLCASE Double Layer Grill. Its stated purpose is dehydration and multi-batch cooking.
• Best for replacing a worn or lost crisper tray → ALJ 6.5QT. It's a replacement part first and an upgrade second.
• Best for easy cleanup of sticky food → ALJ 6.5QT. The double-layer nonstick coating and dishwasher-safe build make it the friendlier option for messy cooks.
• Best for long-term durability with no coating to wear → VILLCASE Double Layer Grill. Stainless steel won't peel, though it also won't release food as easily.
• Best for gifting → VILLCASE Double Layer Grill. The maker explicitly frames it as a present for barbecue-loving friends and family.
• Best for a low-profile, thin tray → ALJ 6.5QT. It's a slim 0.11-inch plate, so it won't eat into your basket's vertical space.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: are you replacing a part or adding capacity? If you own a Ninja 6.5QT OL500 or OL501 and your crisper plate is scratched or missing, I'd buy the ALJ 6.5QT — the model-specific fit, nonstick coating and lift handle make it the more useful daily accessory for that machine. If you don't have that exact Ninja, or you want to cook two layers at once and dehydrate in batches, I'd go with the VILLCASE Double Layer Grill. Just check your basket's height clearance first — 2.75 inches of stacked rack needs room to breathe.
How to use multi layer rack in air fryer
Set the lower tier in the basket first, load it with food, then place the upper tier on top and load that. Keep pieces in a single layer on each tier so hot air can circulate, and shake or rotate the rack midway through cooking for even browning. The VILLCASE rack's stainless steel conducts heat quickly, which helps both levels cook at a similar rate.
Yes, provided your basket has the vertical clearance. The VILLCASE Double Layer Grill stands about 2.75 inches tall, so it needs a reasonably deep basket to sit without pressing against the heating element. If your air fryer is shallow, a single-layer tray like the ALJ 6.5QT is the safer choice.
Yes — racks and crisper trays are common air fryer accessories, and both products here are designed for that use. The ALJ 6.5QT is a coated carbon steel plate that fits Ninja 6.5QT OL500/OL501 units, while the VILLCASE is a stainless steel double-layer rack sized around 7.86 x 7.86 inches. Just confirm the dimensions suit your basket.
Yes. The rack is an accessory, not a requirement — you can cook directly in the basket. A rack mainly helps with airflow, lets grease drip away, and in the VILLCASE's case adds a second cooking level. If you're replacing a lost tray or want better crisping, the ALJ 6.5QT fills that role; if you want extra capacity, the VILLCASE does.
Both are solid accessories for different jobs, and the deciding factor is your air fryer model and whether you want a replacement or more space. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, and match the dimensions to your basket.
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See also: ALJ 5QT vs Yoclacr Air Fryer Dust, QLRGNE 5.5QT vs GWBSXM Air Fryer Basket: Air Fryer Grill Pan, oecue Replacement Parts vs ALJ Air Fryer Tray: Power XL Air