Okay, confession time: as a food blogger, I’m a sucker for kitchen gadgets. Especially the ones that promise to make my life easier. I’d seen the NuWave Pro Infrared Oven kicking around for ages, so I finally decided to bite the bullet and give it a whirl. Was it worth the hype? Let’s dive in.
First Glance & What It Claims To Do:
Right out of the box, the NuWave Pro has this… unique look. I’m talking straight out of a 70s sci-fi flick. The white dome and those digital buttons? Definitely a statement piece. But hey, I’m all about function over form, and this thing promised a lot. Faster cooking, thanks to some fancy infrared, convection, and conduction tech, all while keeping your food nice and juicy. Sounds like a dream, right?
Putting It To The Test (aka, My Kitchen Adventures):
So, I threw a bunch of different dishes at this thing to see what it could handle.
- Chicken, Chicken, Chicken: I always struggle with chicken in my regular oven – either it’s dry, undercooked, or both. The NuWave Pro actually did a pretty decent job! Cooked all the way through, and the skin got reasonably crispy. I wouldn’t say it was perfectly browned, but hey, baby steps.
- Frozen Pizza – A Speed Demon? This is where the NuWave was supposed to shine, and it didn’t disappoint. Seriously, it cooked way faster than my regular oven, and the crust had this surprisingly nice crisp to it. Not bad for a frozen pizza shortcut!
- Veggies: A Bit of a Gamble: Roasting vegetables was a bit of a rollercoaster. Broccoli? Nailed it. Perfect, tender-crisp goodness. Potatoes? Not so much. They took forever and didn’t get that lovely, browned crust I crave.
- The Turkey Test (Sort Of): Okay, I wasn’t about to roast a whole turkey in September, but I did roast a big ol’ chicken using that extender ring. And let me tell you, it fit like a charm! Plenty of room to spare. The chicken cooked evenly, and that extender ring definitely made a difference in terms of how much I could cram in there.
The Good Stuff:
- Speedy Gonzales Cooking: Seriously, this thing is fast, especially with frozen food.
- Even Steven Results: For the most part, it cooks pretty evenly, which is a huge win.
- Big Appetite (Thanks, Extender Ring!): That extender ring is a lifesaver when you’re cooking for a crowd (or just really, really hungry).
- Cleanup? Not a Nightmare: The fact that some parts are dishwasher-safe is a definite bonus.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Gotta Learn the Ropes: There’s definitely a learning curve. Figuring out the right cooking times and temps for different foods takes some trial and error.
- Not a Total Oven Replacement: While it’s great for some things, it doesn’t quite replace my regular oven. It just doesn’t get that deep browning that I love.
- Counter Space Hog: Let’s be real, it’s not exactly compact.
- Looks That Kill (…or Maybe Just Slightly Annoy): The design is… well, let’s just say it’s not for everyone.
The Final Scoop:
So, what’s the verdict? The NuWave Pro Infrared Oven is a handy little appliance, no doubt. It’s perfect for those quick weeknight dinners, rescuing you from frozen food emergencies, and roasting a decent chicken. But it’s not a magic bullet. If you’re short on time and don’t mind sacrificing a little counter space (and maybe some style points), it’s worth a look. Just be prepared to experiment a bit to find its sweet spot.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s good, but not life-changing.