Since air fryers rose to fame, people have debated whether they're an all-around kitchen appliance or just another oven in a different form. Let's answer this debate once and for all by comparing a NuWave Air Fryer vs NuWave Oven.
Is there any difference between the two? Which of them should be part of your kitchen? Or maybe you should have both?
Let's answer all these questions today.
Overview of the Units
NuWave Air Fryer
Specifications
| Manufacturer | NuWave | |
| Capacity | 15.5 Quarts | |
| Size | 13 x 14 x 16 inches | |
| Weight | 26 lbs. | |
| Power | 1800 watts | |
| Temperature Range | 50°F to 425°F |
Overall Impression
One of the many features of the NuWave Air Fryer that caught my attention is its sleek stainless steel and black exterior. The unit's overall design adds a touch of modernity to any kitchen.
Its square-shaped design also makes it easier to set up along with other kitchen appliances, and a convenient pull-down oven-type door adds to its stylishness and provides easy access to the food.
Performance
This unit is slightly more powerful than your typical air fryers. Equipped with an 1800-watt powered engine, its efficient heating element guarantees quick and even cooking.
Combine this with the 5-inch powerful convection fan to help circulate hot air more effectively; the NuWave Air Fryer delivers perfectly cooked meals consistently.
Cooking this Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe in this unit will be a breeze.
Design and Functionality
Thanks to its four rack positions, you can conveniently air fry multiple layers of food at once (no more second batches!). You may also remove the racks and use the space for rotisserie to enjoy roasted meats and veggies.
It also has multiple accessories like mesh racks, trays, drip trays, a skewer kit, a griddle plate, and many more. It's the perfect kitchen partner to explore new recipes and cooking techniques.
Also read: The Best Air Fryer Basket for Oven Use
User-Friendly Features
One of the things that impressed me the most about this unit is its program. The NuWave Air Fryer includes 100 pre-programmed presets; all it takes is a button to cook your favorite meals.
The carryover function is another handy feature that prevents overcooking. It utilizes the built-in thermometer to monitor the food's temperature and stops the cooking process once your food reaches the appropriate internal temperature.
Efficiency and Results
Like any other air fryer, this unit provides a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying. It reduces the amount of oil, fat, and calories you get from cooking food in a deep fryer.
The best part is that it doesn't fall short on taste. Furthermore, its air frying capabilities can also cook frozen food without defrosting, saving you lots of time for other kitchen tasks.
Size and Capacity
Lastly, I particularly love its adjustable multi-layered cooking. Most air fryers have "misleading" capacities because the "quarts" refer to the overall volume that the basket can hold.
However, the NuWave Air Fryer ensures you get to maximize its 15.5-quart capacity by providing you with four layers to cook food.
What I Liked
- square-shaped design for easy setup
- powerful engine and fan
- multi-layered cooking
- includes rotisserie
- multiple accessories
- numerous pre-programmed presets
- built-in thermometer prevents overcooking
- reduces oil, fat, and calories
What I Didn't Like
- no nonstick coating
- oven-type door might make it harder to clean
NuWave Oven Bravo XL
Specifications
| Manufacturer | NuWave | |
| Capacity | 30 Quarts | |
| Size | 20 x 11 x 16.5 inches | |
| Weight | 10 lbs. | |
| Power | 1800 watts | |
| Temperature Range | 50°F to 500°F |
Overall Impression
NuWave ovens have always been impressive, and the NuWave Oven Bravo XL is no exception. Its stainless steel chrome exterior ensures it's durable and visually pleasing.
Performance
Most air fryers cook food using hot air circulating from the heating element above. On the other hand, a convection oven heats the cooking chamber from the bottom.
This NuWave oven cooks food using the heating elements of an air fryer and a conventional oven. The dual heat zones cook your food evenly from the top and from the bottom.
More impressively, these heating elements work independently, allowing you to modify the power output based on your cooking needs.
Design and Functionality
The NuWave Oven Bravo XL has 12 cooking functions. But like the NuWave Air Fryer, it also comes with 100 pre-programmed recipe presets, so you can use the perfect setting for any dish.
It also has four rack positions, allowing you to use it for multi-layer cooking. This means you don't have to wait to cook your second batch of food since they will most likely fit inside the chamber.
User-Friendly Features
One of the things I love the most about NuWave products is the built-in thermometer. It monitors the food's internal temperature and stops once it reaches the desired temperature (which also prevents overcooking).
Another user-friendly feature I commend is its ability to save up to 50 personal recipe presets. This means that the next time you wish to cook your favorite dish, you just need to press a button to set the right time and temperature.
Efficiency and Results
The built-in thermometer is equipped with NuWave's Linear T technology. It monitors the temperature of the chamber and makes adjustments every second.
Because of its dual heat zones, it can outperform the best air fryer in the market since it cooks your food faster and more efficiently.
Size and Capacity
Thanks to its multi-layered cooking capabilities, you can maximize the 30-quart capacity of this NuWave Oven and cook multiple foods for the entire family.
What I Liked
- dual heat zones
- heating elements work independently
- numerous pre-programmed presets
- multi-layered cooking
- built-in thermometer maintains the appropriate temperature
- saves up to 50 personal recipe presets
- multiple accessories
What I Didn't Like
- oven-type door might make it harder to clean
Buying Guide
Before we decide which kitchen appliance should be in your home, let me provide you with a quick guide on buying an air fryer or oven.
Capacity
Whether it's an air fryer or an oven, the cooking capacity is the most important aspect before buying a kitchen appliance.
How much food do you cook regularly? Will seven quarts suffice, or do you need a 15- or 30-quart unit? The number of people you live with should help you answer these questions.
Speed
More often than not, air fryers cook food faster than conventional ovens. However, a handful of exceptional ovens can outperform even some of the best air fryers in the market.
For instance, the Nuwave Oven Pro Plus includes a triple cooking feature that allows it to cook food 70% faster than traditional ovens and up to 30% faster than air fryers.
Additional Features
Lastly, consider the additional features that come with the unit. Does it have cooking functions or presets that make cooking easier? What other features enhance its user-friendliness?
FAQs
Similar to the debate between oven vs air fryer, the main difference between a NuWave oven and air fryer is the presence of a fan. The fan circulates hot air inside the chamber to cook food more quickly.
It depends on the specific model of NuWave oven you have. Some NuWave ovens have built-in fans that allow you to air fry, but others work just like a traditional oven.
Yes, putting aluminum foil in an air fryer will not damage it. It might even make cleanup easier. However, keep it a little further from the heating element to avoid burning the material.
Wrapping Up
The battle between NuWave Air Fryer vs NuWave Oven has ended. After careful consideration, I realized these two units are almost identical in functionality.
However, the deciding factor is the heating element. Since the NuWave Oven Bravo XL has dual heat zones, it cooks food more efficiently, thereby winning this round.
If you need more help maximizing your air fryer or oven, feel free to visit Also The Crumbs, Please.
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