Smeg Air Fryer: Should You Buy It?

Smeg has launched a new countertop oven that can replace your built-in oven and air fryer. The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam is a 10-in-1 multifunction oven that can steam, bake, air fry, roast, and more. With a retro design and modern functionality, this oven is sure to be a game-changer for those looking to upgrade their kitchen appliances.

Smeg's new countertop oven air fryer

Smeg has launched a new countertop oven air fryer that promises to replace your built-in oven and air fryer. The appliance is designed to be a sleek and stylish addition to your kitchen countertop, combining retro beauty with modern functionality. With its iconic retro design, the Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven is sure to add style to any kitchen. But does it deliver on performance? Let's take a closer look.

Design and Features

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven boasts a retro 50s design with all the charm you'd expect from the Italian brand. It is available in a range of colours, including white, black, cream, and a high-gloss finish. The curved build and glossy finish will undoubtedly make it a standout piece on your kitchen countertop.

But it's not just about looks; this appliance is also packed with features. It offers 10 cooking functions, including static cooking, fan-assisted cooking, grilling, fan with base cooking, air frying, defrosting, and more. One of its standout features is its steam cooking capabilities, with three dedicated steam modes: pure steam, convection steam, and grill steam. The steam tank has a capacity of 0.85 quarts (0.8 litres) and includes a descale function to keep the appliance in top condition.

The oven also comes with an enameled tray for traditional cooking, a perforated baking tray for steaming or air frying, and a grill rack that provides support for oven containers.

Performance

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven delivers on performance, offering a spacious 30.7-quart (30-litre) capacity. This means you'll have plenty of room to cook for a small family or a group of friends. The oven preheats quickly, taking just 4 minutes to reach the desired temperature.

The air frying function performs well, although it may be slower than some of the market leaders. The steam functions are particularly impressive, allowing you to cook a variety of dishes while locking in nutrients and moisture. The three steam modes give you the flexibility to choose the best option for your meal, whether you're cooking rice, vegetables, meat, or dumplings.

The oven also includes 33 built-in recipes, taking the guesswork out of cooking. Simply input the weight of your food, and the oven will automatically set the time and temperature.

Ease of Use and Maintenance

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven is easy to use, with a dial that allows you to switch between cooking modes effortlessly. The My Smeg Assistant digital platform provides additional recipe inspiration and maintenance tips through QR codes.

When it comes to cleaning, the oven is relatively low-maintenance. Smeg recommends using the steam function to loosen any grease or stuck-on food. While the removable trays are too large for the dishwasher, they can be easily washed by hand. The sleek exterior also makes wiping down a quick and simple task.

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven is a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen. With its retro design and advanced features, it combines form and function seamlessly. While it may be a premium purchase at $999, it offers a range of cooking functions that will elevate your culinary creations. If you're looking for an appliance that delivers on both performance and aesthetics, the Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven is an excellent choice.

Design and aesthetics

Smeg is known for its retro-style appliances, and its air fryer oven is no exception. The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam combines the brand's iconic retro design with modern functionality, adding style to any kitchen.

The air fryer oven is available in cream, black, and white, with a high-gloss finish and a curved build. Its retro design is reminiscent of the 1950s, with a glossy finish that brings instant character to any kitchen. The appliance is crafted from stainless steel, aluminium, enamelled metal, tempered glass, and durable plastic, ensuring a sleek and stylish exterior.

The Smeg air fryer oven is a sizeable appliance, measuring 50 x 50 x 40cm, and it needs to be placed on a countertop due to its weight. While its large capacity is ideal for cooking for a small family or a group of friends, it does require ample counter space.

The oven's design is well-thought-out and user-friendly. It features a dial that allows for easy switching between cooking modes and a digital platform called "My Smeg Assistant," which provides access to exclusive recipes and tips via QR codes. The oven also comes with various trays, including an enamel tray, a perforated baking tray, and a grill rack, adding to the overall functionality and aesthetic of the appliance.

Overall, the Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam blends retro beauty with modern functionality, offering a stylish and unique addition to any kitchen. Its design sets it apart from typical air fryers, making it a central feature rather than an eyesore.

Performance and functionality

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam is a powerful and versatile appliance that delivers impressive performance and functionality. With 10 cooking functions, including air frying, baking, roasting, and steaming, it offers a wide range of culinary options to explore.

One of its standout features is its steam-baking function, which produces light, fluffy, and moist sponges. The steam function also comes with three dedicated modes: Pure Steam, Convection Steam, and Grill Steam. Pure Steam is ideal for cooking rice, vegetables, curries, and casseroles, while Convection Steam is perfect for roasting meats with a caramelized exterior. Grill Steam, on the other hand, is designed for cooking meats like pork chops and sausages, ensuring a succulent and tender interior while caramelizing the outside.

The air frying function performs well, although it may be slower than some other air fryers on the market. It can crisp up frozen French fries and cook Padron peppers to a tender and flavorful finish. However, it may not achieve the same level of crispness or charring as more powerful models.

The oven also comes with 33 built-in recipes, including meat, fish, vegetable dishes, desserts, bread, and pizza. By inputting the weight of the food, the oven intelligently adjusts the cooking time and temperature, ensuring perfect results. The My Smeg Assistant digital platform further enhances this feature, providing access to additional recipes, tips, and maintenance advice via QR codes.

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven is easy to use, with a dial to switch between cooking modes. While the QR code provides visual setup instructions, some users may find the lack of a polished user interface or a bespoke recipe booklet underwhelming.

In terms of design, the Smeg oven boasts a retro 1950s aesthetic, adding instant character to any kitchen. It is crafted with a mix of stainless steel, aluminum, enameled metal, tempered glass, and durable plastic. However, its substantial weight may require assistance for lifting, and the short power cord could limit placement options.

Overall, the Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam delivers an impressive combination of performance and functionality. While it may not be the fastest option for air frying, its versatility, ease of use, and stylish design make it a strong contender in the market.

Pros and cons

Smeg has launched a countertop air fryer oven that combines the brand's iconic retro design with modern functionality. The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam is a 10-in-1 appliance that can steam, bake, air fry, and more.

Pros:

• Retro design: The appliance has a '50s-style retro design, with a curved build and high-gloss finish, adding instant character to any kitchen.
• Multifunctional: With 10 cooking functions, including three steam settings, the air fryer oven offers a wide range of cooking options, from baking and air frying to steaming and grilling.
• Large capacity: The 30.7-quart (30-liter) capacity is larger than most air fryer ovens, making it suitable for cooking for a small family or group of friends.
• Built-in recipes: The air fryer oven comes with 33 built-in recipes, including meat, fish, vegetable dishes, desserts, bread, and pizza. The time and temperature are automatically set after inputting the weight of the food.
• Easy to use: Despite its many functions, the appliance is straightforward to use, with a dial to switch between cooking modes.
• Easy to clean: Smeg recommends using the steam function to loosen grease and stuck-on food, and the sleek exterior is easy to wipe down.

Cons:

• Price: With a price tag of $999 or £849.95, it is a significant investment and not an impulse purchase.
• Size: The large capacity means it requires ample counter space, and it is also quite heavy.
• Slow preheating: Some reviews note that the preheating time for air frying is slower than other air fryers, taking about five minutes.
• Short power cord: The power cord is relatively short, which may limit placement options.
• Underwhelming instructions: The QR code instructions are less helpful than expected, lacking chef instruction videos or a bespoke recipe booklet.

Cost and value for money

The Smeg Countertop Air Fry Oven with Steam is an expensive appliance, retailing at $999 in the US and £849.95 in the UK. It is not a product you would buy on a whim, but its premium price tag is justified by its functionality and design.

The Smeg air fryer oven is a 10-in-1 appliance, offering a range of cooking functions, including air frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, and baking. It has a large 30-litre capacity, making it a good option for cooking for a small family or group of friends. Its retro design, inspired by the 1950s, is iconic and will add style to any kitchen.

Compared to other air fryers on the market, the Smeg model is more expensive. For example, the Our Place's Wonder Oven, a 6-in-1 air fryer, costs $195 on Amazon. Similarly, the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Multifunction Oven Air Fryer, which is similar in size and cooking ability, is only a third of the price of the Smeg oven.

However, the Smeg air fryer oven stands out from its competitors due to its unique design and high-quality performance. It is a well-made, useful appliance that will enhance the aesthetic of your kitchen. Its large capacity and multiple cooking functions make it a versatile and efficient addition to your cooking repertoire.

While the Smeg air fryer oven is pricier than some other options, its combination of form and function makes it a valuable investment for those seeking a stylish and multifunctional appliance.

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