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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 5 min read · Independent comparison
These two look similar at a glance — both are polished 304 stainless steel air fryer baskets — but they are not interchangeable. They fit different ovens, differ in footprint, and suit different cooking volumes. This is a fitment decision first and a material decision second.
• Univen's biggest strength: It's a purpose-built upgrade for Cuisinart TOA-26 and TOA-28 compact air fryer ovens, sized exactly to the TOA-26AFB basket position.
• Univen's biggest trade-off: It only fits Cuisinart small/compact models — there's no cross-brand flexibility here.
• Allstare's biggest strength: A larger 14.1" x 10" basket for KitchenAid KCO124/KCO124BM (and KCO224BM) ovens, with a welded, sharp-edge-free build.
• Allstare's biggest trade-off: It's a bigger footprint, so it won't drop into a compact oven — and you must match the model number carefully before ordering.
• Who Univen is for: Cuisinart TOA-26/TOA-28 owners who want to replace or upgrade the stock basket with a corrosion-resistant stainless part.
• Who Allstare is for: KitchenAid countertop air-fry oven owners who need a replacement or spare air fry basket for baking, roasting and air frying.
The Univen basket is a compatibility-first product. It's made of polished 304 stainless steel and is explicitly built as an upgrade to the basket that ships with the Cuisinart TOA-26, and it also fits the TOA-28. It's cross-listed against Cuisinart's own basket part number, TOA-26AFB, which is the number you'd normally look up when hunting a replacement. If your oven's basket has warped, stained, or lost its coating, this is the direct swap.
Who should buy it: anyone with a Cuisinart TOA-26 or TOA-28 who wants a stainless replacement that matches the original part's footprint. Who should skip it: anyone with a different brand or a full-size oven — this will not fit. If you own a KitchenAid KCO124 series, this is the wrong basket entirely. It's also worth noting Univen is described as a family-owned American business, which matters to some buyers shopping for replacement parts.
Allstare KCO124BM: Who It's For
The Allstare basket is the bigger, heavier-duty option of the two. It measures 14.1" x 10" with a 1.3" height, and it's built for the KitchenAid digital air fry countertop oven line — KCO124, KCO124BM and KCO224BM. That's a meaningfully larger cooking surface than the Univen, which makes sense given the ovens it serves. It's also listed as a single pack, so you're buying one basket, not a set.
The build story here is durability and airflow. Allstare emphasizes solid 304 stainless that's heavier than generic alternatives, welded with no sharp edges, and rated for high oven temperatures so it won't melt or bend. The open design is the functional part: it lets hot air circulate around the food so you get a crispy exterior on wings, turkey, bread, pizza, cookies and vegetables. It's listed as dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended — for regular cleaning, soaking in hot water with washing-up liquid and a wipe-down is enough, with a scouring pad for stubborn spots.
The catch is fitment. The listing itself warns buyers to compare their oven's original part size and model number before ordering. That's good advice, because a 14.1" x 10" basket is a specific size and won't fit just any countertop oven. Who should buy it: KitchenAid KCO124/KCO124BM/KCO224BM owners who need a replacement or a second basket for batch cooking. Who should skip it: Cuisinart compact owners, or anyone who hasn't confirmed their model number.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for Cuisinart TOA-26/TOA-28 owners → Univen Stainless Steel. It's the only one of the two that fits those ovens.
• Best for KitchenAid KCO124/KCO124BM owners → Allstare KCO124BM. Same logic in reverse.
• Best for larger cooking volume → Allstare KCO124BM. Its 14.1" x 10" surface is notably bigger than the Univen's 10.75" x 8.75".
• Best for a drop-in replacement matched to an existing part number → Univen Stainless Steel. It's cross-referenced to Cuisinart's TOA-26AFB.
• Best for a heavier, welded build with no sharp edges → Allstare KCO124BM. Allstare leans hard on the heavier stainless and welded construction.
• Best for multi-model KitchenAid coverage → Allstare KCO124BM. It lists three compatible KitchenAid models versus Univen's two Cuisinart models.
• Best for easy cleanup in either camp → tie. Both are 304 stainless; both are dishwasher safe.
In my opinion, you should buy the basket that matches your oven, full stop — there's no meaningful "better" here, only "correct." If I had a Cuisinart TOA-26 or TOA-28, I'd take the Univen Stainless Steel, because it's sized and cross-referenced specifically for that oven and its TOA-26AFB basket. If I had a KitchenAid KCO124, KCO124BM or KCO224BM, I'd take the Allstare KCO124BM for its larger surface and heavier welded build. Buying the wrong one means it simply won't fit.
FAQ
No. It's built for Cuisinart TOA-26 and TOA-28 compact models and cross-referenced to Cuisinart basket part TOA-26AFB. For a KitchenAid KCO124 series oven, the Allstare is the matching choice.
No. It's designed for KitchenAid KCO124, KCO124BM and KCO224BM countertop air fry ovens. Its 14.1" x 10" size is also larger than the compact Cuisinart basket, so it wouldn't seat properly anyway.
Both are made of 304 stainless steel and listed as dishwasher safe. Allstare recommends hand washing, but notes regular soaking in hot water and washing-up liquid is enough for most messes.
Check your oven's model number and, if you can, your original basket's part number. Univen fits Cuisinart TOA-26/TOA-28; Allstare fits KitchenAid KCO124/KCO124BM/KCO224BM. If you'd rather not guess, check the current price and listing details on Amazon before ordering.
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See also: mutvle Air Fryer Disposable vs CAXUSD Stainless Steel Rotisserie, Univen Stainless Steel Air vs Ssryxsnan Oven Rack Cleaning, QIANMOON 4.44 vs Generic Stainless Steel Air: Air Fryer