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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• OPENICE's biggest strength: a genuinely large footprint — an 18.6 x 12 inch basket over an 18.5 x 12.8 inch pan — plus 30 sheets of parchment paper included, so it's usable the moment it arrives.
• OPENICE's biggest trade-off: it's the heavier, bulkier option at 3 pounds, and the non-stick coating needs care since scratching it is called out as something to avoid.
• GWYXC's biggest strength: you get two pieces in the box, and the listed materials handle up to 480°F, which is more headroom than most home ovens will ever ask for.
• GWYXC's biggest trade-off: the working basket area is smaller (14.2 x 10.3 x 2 inches), and the manufacturer explicitly requires a 10-minute preheat at 300°F before first use or the steel may deform.
• Pick OPENICE if you cook in volume — big batches of fried chicken, vegetables, or sheet-pan style meals for a family.
• Pick GWYXC if you want a compact two-piece rack-and-tray setup and you're comfortable doing a one-time preheat ritual.
The OPENICE basket is built around one idea: fit more food on the rack at once. The basket measures 18.6 x 12 inches and the pan underneath runs 18.5 x 12.8 inches, so this is a piece designed for a full-size oven rather than a toaster oven or a countertop appliance. For air fryer fried chicken specifically, that footprint matters — you can lay out several pieces side by side instead of stacking them, which is the difference between crispy skin and steamed skin.
The design itself is straightforward and sensible. An elevated mesh basket sits above a solid pan, letting hot air circulate around the food in all directions while grease and crumbs drop through to the tray below. OPENICE frames this as 360-degree circulation that removes the need to flip your food mid-cook. It's made of 304 stainless steel with a non-stick coating, and the whole thing is dishwasher safe — or you can soak it in hot water and wipe it down by hand. The brand does warn against scratching the coating, so metal tongs and abrasive scrubbers are a bad idea here.
What I like about the package is that it's complete out of the box: the basket, the crisper tray, and 30 pieces of parchment paper. That parchment is genuinely useful for sticky or breaded foods and for anyone who hates scrubbing. Beyond frying, OPENICE pitches this for baking, roasting, and cooking en papillote, plus fries, hash browns, roasted vegetables and steaks.
Who should skip it: anyone with a small convection oven, a single person cooking one portion at a time, or someone who wants the lightest possible accessory. At 3 pounds, it's not dainty, and the size means storage takes some thought.
GWYXC Air Fryer Basket: Who It's For
The GWYXC set takes a different approach. You get two pieces — a mesh basket and a tray — with the basket itself listed at 14.2 x 10.3 x 2 inches and the overall size given as 15.5 x 11.6 inches. That's meaningfully smaller than the OPENICE, but it's still enough room for a solid batch of wings, mozzarella sticks, or a round of chicken tenders. GWYXC describes it as a large-capacity option for exactly that kind of food.
The material story is where GWYXC stands out on paper. It's alloy steel, listed as food-grade steel, non-toxic and BPA-free, with a maximum heat resistance of 480°F. That's a high ceiling. The catch is the preheating requirement: the manufacturer states plainly that you must place the basket in a preheated 300°F oven for 10 minutes before first use, otherwise it may deform, bend, or be damaged and end up with a shorter lifespan. That's not a suggestion — it's a condition of getting normal service life out of the product, and it's the single most important thing to know before you buy.
Once that's done, the design does what you'd expect. The mesh basket sits above the tray so heat surrounds the food, with the goal of even cooking and no flipping. GWYXC leans into the health angle — little or no added oil or butter — and positions the set as an alternative to buying a standalone air fryer, which saves counter space. It's dishwasher safe, and GWYXC also suggests it works as a simple bacon pan or general oven rack. Uses listed include pizza, fries, steak, chicken wings, vegetables, meat and barbecue.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants a two-piece setup, values the higher stated heat tolerance, and is willing to follow the preheat instruction carefully. It also suits cooks with slightly smaller ovens where the OPENICE would be a tight fit.
Who should skip it: anyone who won't reliably do the initial preheat, or who needs to cook for a crowd in one pass. The smaller basket area will force you into two batches for a big family meal.
• Best for large batches of fried chicken → OPENICE Air Fryer Basket. The 18.6 x 12 inch basket simply holds more pieces in a single layer.
• Best for smaller ovens → GWYXC Air Fryer Basket. Its 14.2 x 10.3 x 2 inch basket and 15.5 x 11.6 inch overall size fit tighter spaces.
• Best out-of-the-box convenience → OPENICE Air Fryer Basket. The included 30 parchment sheets mean less scrubbing from day one.
• Best for higher-heat cooking → GWYXC Air Fryer Basket. Its stated 480°F maximum heat resistance tops what OPENICE lists.
• Best for low-maintenance ownership → OPENICE Air Fryer Basket. No preheat ritual required before first use, and it's dishwasher safe.
• Best for a two-piece setup → GWYXC Air Fryer Basket. You get a count of two items in the box.
• Best for lighter weight → GWYXC Air Fryer Basket. It avoids the 3-pound heft of the OPENICE.
• Best for coating durability habits → it's a tie, with a caveat. OPENICE warns against scratching its non-stick surface; GWYXC's steel demands that initial preheat. Both reward careful handling.
In my opinion, the OPENICE Air Fryer Basket is the one I'd buy for air fryer fried chicken. The size is the deciding factor: more surface area means more pieces cooked properly in one layer, and that's the whole point of using an oven basket instead of a countertop air fryer. The included parchment paper and the absence of any preheat requirement make it easier to live with day to day.
The GWYXC is a legitimate alternative if your oven is smaller, you want two pieces, or you value that higher heat ceiling. Just go in knowing you must do the 300°F preheat before the first cook, or you risk warping the steel. Neither is a bad choice — they just fit different kitchens.
FAQ
how to air fryer fried chicken
how to air fryer fried chicken breast
Breasts are thick, so keep them in one layer and avoid crowding — this is where the OPENICE's larger basket helps most. The elevated mesh lets heat surround each piece, which is what gets you a crisp exterior without flipping. Use the tray below to catch any oil so the coating doesn't sit in grease.
how to make air fryer fried chicken without buttermilk
You don't need buttermilk for a crispy result — a simple seasoned coating works fine on a mesh basket. The key is airflow: the mesh design on both products lets hot air reach the underside of the food, so the coating crisps all over. Just don't stack pieces, and let the tray handle the mess.
how to make air fryer fried chicken tenders
Tenders cook fast and fit easily in either basket. Lay them flat with a little gap between each one, and remember the GWYXC needs its one-time 300°F preheat before you ever cook in it. Both sets are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup after a breaded batch much less painful. If you're price-conscious, check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding.
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See also: Cosori Air Fryer Basket vs GWYXC Air Fryer Accessories, GWYXC Air Fryer Basket vs Leonyo 11.8x9IN: Air Fryer Fried, GWYXC Air Fryer Basket vs LIAPDG 360°: Air Fryer Shrimp