Short answer: the Princess 182020 Digital Aerofryer XL is a 3.2-litre, 1500-watt single-basket air fryer with eight automatic programs and a digital control panel. It is a sensible fit for smaller households that want simple controls, but it is not a 5.5-litre model and its removable parts are not listed as dishwasher-safe by Princess.
How this review was prepared: this is a specification-led assessment based on the manufacturer’s current product data and support information. We have not claimed hands-on testing. Because several similarly named Princess Aerofryers exist, check the rating label for model 182020 before using this guide.
Princess 182020 verdict
The 182020 is best understood as an older, compact digital air fryer rather than a large family machine. Its 3.2-litre basket, eight presets, adjustable thermostat and 200°C maximum cover the basics well. The digital panel is more convenient than twin dials, while automatic shut-off, overheat protection, a cool-touch handle and non-slip feet add useful safeguards.
Its limitations are equally clear. A 3.2-litre basket requires batch cooking for many family meals, there is no app or keep-warm function, and hand washing is the safe cleaning default. If you are comparing second-hand or remaining retail stock, condition, the exact item number and the presence of the grill rack matter more than a long feature list.
| Best for | Think twice if |
|---|---|
| One or two people; snacks and side dishes; buyers who prefer digital presets | You regularly cook full meals for four or more people in one batch |
| Fries, vegetables, small meat portions, reheating and simple baking | You require dishwasher-safe parts, Wi-Fi or a keep-warm mode |
| People considering a clean, complete used example at a sensible price | The model label is missing or a listing describes it as a 5.5-litre appliance |
Verified Princess 182020 specifications
Princess lists several plug variants under the 182020 model family, so the suffix on the full item number can differ by market. The core model data below comes from Princess’s page for item 01.182020.01.001. Confirm voltage and plug type on the label of the individual appliance.
| Specification | Princess 182020 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3.2 litres | Compact single-basket size; expect batches for larger portions |
| Power | 1500 W at 230 V | Typical output for this basket class; use a suitable wall socket |
| Controls | Digital panel with integrated timer | Manual time and temperature adjustment alongside presets |
| Automatic programs | 8 | Useful starting points, not a substitute for checking food |
| Maximum temperature | 200°C | Covers common air-frying, roasting and reheating tasks |
| Basket and coating | Removable basket; non-stick-coated drawer | Easier serving and cleaning, but avoid abrasive tools |
| Dishwasher-safe | No | Hand wash removable parts with mild detergent |
| Included accessory | Grill rack | Worth confirming when buying used |
| Safety features | Automatic shut-off, overheat protection, cool-touch handle, non-slip feet | Helpful safeguards; normal placement and supervision still apply |
| Other features | No Wi-Fi, no app, no keep-warm function | A straightforward appliance without connected extras |
The manufacturer describes the basket as enough for up to five portions of fries. Treat that as a serving claim rather than a promise that five complete meals fit at once: food needs space around it for circulating air. For crisp results, a loosely filled single layer generally performs better than a packed basket. Our air fryer capacity guide explains why litre figures do not translate directly into meal counts.
What the eight programs actually change
The presets are stored combinations of cooking time and temperature. They make a quick starting point for familiar foods, but they do not sense the weight, thickness or starting temperature of your ingredients. A frozen chip and a hand-cut fresh chip may need different treatment even when the fries icon is selected.
For more consistent results, check food early the first time you cook it, shake or turn pieces when needed, and add short increments rather than letting an unsuitable preset run to the end. Princess specifically notes that fresh potatoes can benefit from a tablespoon of oil for crispness. Patting wet ingredients dry and avoiding an overcrowded basket are just as important as the selected program.
How much food fits in 3.2 litres?
The 182020 works most naturally as a compact fryer for one or two people, or as a side-dish appliance in a larger household. Think fries for a meal, vegetables, chicken portions, meatballs, bread rolls or reheated leftovers. The usable cooking surface matters more than the headline volume, particularly for foods that should not overlap.
Princess markets the model for up to five portions of fries, but portion size and desired crispness make a large difference. If you want to cook a protein and a side simultaneously, or feed four adults without batches, a larger single drawer or dual-zone model will usually be less restrictive. See our capacity guide for a family of four before choosing by the word “XL” in the product name: XL was relative to the range when this model was introduced.
Cooking and first-use advice
- Confirm the model. Find 182020 on the information sticker, normally on the back or underside. Similar Princess model numbers can have different capacities and instructions.
- Give it airflow. Place the appliance on a stable, heat-resistant surface with unobstructed ventilation. Princess support advises at least 10 cm from obstacles when addressing airflow-related faults.
- Wash before use. Hand wash the removable basket and drawer with mild detergent, rinse and dry them fully. Do not put the main unit in water.
- Start conservatively. Use a preset or manual setting, then inspect food before the suggested finish. Turn or shake loose foods for more even exposure.
- Stop if something seems wrong. A persistent electrical smell, smoke unrelated to food residue, damaged cable or repeated error code warrants unplugging the appliance and consulting Princess support.
A faint manufacturing odour can occur with a new appliance, but it should not be masked with fragrance or aggressive cleaners. Follow our plastic or burning smell troubleshooting guide if the odour persists or smells electrical.
Cleaning the Princess 182020 correctly
This is where many listings and older reviews get the model wrong. Princess’s specification table marks both “dishwasher proof” and “dishwasher proof parts” as No. Let the appliance cool, unplug it, then hand wash the basket and drawer using warm water, mild detergent and a non-abrasive sponge. Wipe the main unit with a damp cloth.
Soak stubborn residue briefly rather than scraping the non-stick surface with metal tools. Dry every part before reassembly. For grease near the heater and other areas that should not be immersed, use the method in our air fryer cleaning guide. Damage to the coating, a basket that no longer locks correctly or a deformed drawer should be dealt with before further use.
Safety and error-code notes
The official specification includes automatic shut-off and overheat protection, but those features do not replace ordinary kitchen precautions. Keep the air inlet and outlet clear, do not run the appliance under a low cabinet, and avoid extension leads unless their rating and use are appropriate for a 1500-watt heating appliance.
Princess support lists E1 for model 182020 as a thermostat-sensor fault. Its support material also associates E2 with a thermostat-sensor fault or insufficient airflow on a group of models that includes 182020. If an error persists after the appliance has cooled and the vents are clear, do not keep restarting it; use the manufacturer’s repair or warranty route.
Buying a Princess 182020 used or old stock
The product remains documented by Princess, but listings may mix photos and specifications from other Aerofryer models. Before paying, ask for a clear photo of the rating label and verify:
- model number 182020 and the market-specific item-number suffix;
- 3.2-litre capacity, not an unverified 4.5- or 5.5-litre description;
- the correct plug, cable condition and undamaged housing;
- a basket and drawer with intact coating and a secure handle;
- the original grill rack if it matters to you;
- a working digital display, fan and heater, with no persistent error code.
We have intentionally not linked to a generic marketplace search. Availability and seller accuracy change, and an exact-model destination should be verified before it is presented as a buying route.
Princess 182020 alternatives: what to compare
If the 3.2-litre basket is too small, compare usable basket area rather than model names alone. A larger single drawer suits bigger batches; a dual-zone design suits two foods with separate settings. If easy clean-up is your priority, look for a current model whose manufacturer explicitly confirms dishwasher-safe parts. For day-to-day energy planning, our air fryer wattage guide explains what the 1500-watt rating does—and does not—say about electricity use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Princess 182020 a 5.5-litre air fryer?
No. Princess lists the 182020 Digital Aerofryer XL at 3.2 litres. A 5.5-litre claim likely belongs to another model or is a copied listing error.
Are the basket and drawer dishwasher-safe?
No according to Princess’s specification table. Hand wash the removable parts with mild detergent and non-abrasive tools.
How many programs does it have?
Eight preprogrammed settings, plus an adjustable thermostat and integrated timer. Treat presets as starting points and check food for safe doneness.
What is the maximum temperature?
Princess specifies a maximum of 200°C. The manufacturer page does not provide a minimum temperature in its published specification table, so verify the control range on the appliance or in the manual if a low setting is essential.
Does it include a grill rack?
The official package list includes the Aerofryer, grill rack and instruction manual. Used examples may be incomplete, so confirm the accessory with the seller.
Final recommendation
Choose the Princess 182020 if you want a simple 3.2-litre digital air fryer, understand that larger meals will need batches and can inspect the exact unit or listing carefully. The eight programs, removable basket and basic safety features remain practical. Skip it if you need dishwasher-safe parts, app control, a keep-warm mode or family-sized capacity in one batch.
Official sources checked 23 October 2026: Princess 182020 product page and downloads; Princess Aerofryer error-code guidance.