Wolf's Air Fryer: A New Kitchen Innovation?

Wolf Gourmet, a line of small appliances, cookware, and cutlery, was introduced in 2015 by Wolf, in collaboration with Hamilton Beach Brands. Wolf's countertop oven is an advanced, compact oven with features such as an integrated temperature probe, convection cooking, and multiple cooking modes. While it lacks an air fryer function, the Roast and Bake modes with Convection turned on can be used to achieve similar results. The Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop oven is a high-quality, durable, and versatile option for those seeking a compact oven with advanced features.

Wolf's Countertop Oven: Is It Just A Wolf Toaster Oven?

Wolf Gourmet's Elite Countertop Oven with Convection is a powerful and versatile appliance that offers the functionality of a full-size Wolf oven in a compact, countertop-friendly form. With its advanced features and intuitive controls, it promises to elevate your cooking experience. But is it just a glorified toaster oven, or does it bring something more to the table? Let's take a closer look.

Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven: An Overview

The Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven is a sleek and stylish addition to any kitchen countertop. With its signature red knobs, this appliance makes a statement even before you start using it. But it's more than just good looks—the Elite Countertop Oven is packed with features that make it a versatile workhorse in the kitchen.

This countertop oven offers multiple cooking modes, including Bake, Roast, Broil, Warm, Proof, Bagel, and Toast. It also boasts advanced convection technology, ensuring even roasting and baking with no hot spots. The unique perimeter convection system circulates heated air throughout the oven, reducing cooking time by up to 25%.

One of the standout features of this oven is its precision temperature probe, which allows you to cook meat to your desired internal temperature. You can cook an herb-crusted roast, balsamic-glazed chicken, or a perfectly baked sourdough loaf with precise temperature control.

The interior of the oven is spacious, accommodating most 9" x 13" stoneware dishes or even a 5½-pound chicken. It comes with two easy-glide oven racks that can be repositioned into three levels, giving you flexibility for broiling, baking, and toasting. The nonstick interior and removable side rack holders make cleaning a breeze.

Performance and Ease of Use

The Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven delivers impressive performance, with five heating elements that provide even and accurate cooking temperatures. The spring-loaded door with a seal prevents heat loss and ensures gentle opening and closing. The interior halogen light allows you to monitor your food without opening the door, and the advanced electronics make operating the oven a breeze.

So, Is It Just a Wolf Toaster Oven?

While the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven is often referred to as a "toaster oven," that moniker doesn't do it justice. Yes, it can toast bread, but its capabilities go far beyond that. This appliance is essentially a miniature version of a full-size Wolf oven, offering similar precision, quality, and performance in a compact form.

It provides the functionality of multiple appliances, including a toaster, an air fryer, and a regular oven. The convection feature, combined with the grill basket accessory, turns it into a powerful air fryer, delivering crispy and delicious results.

So, if you're debating whether the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven is worth the investment, think of it as a versatile second oven that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks, from toasting and baking to air frying and roasting. Its durability and performance will make it a trusted companion in your culinary adventures for years to come.

Wolf Countertop Oven Models

Wolf's line of countertop ovens includes the Wolf Gourmet countertop convection oven Elite, which was released in 2018, and the original Wolf Gourmet countertop convection oven. The Elite model is an updated version of the original, with the addition of an interior light and a Bagel mode. The Wolf Gourmet Elite countertop oven with convection has three versions: WGCO150S, WGCO160S, and WGCO170S. The main difference between these models is the colour of the knobs (red, black, and brushed stainless, respectively).

The Wolf Gourmet Elite countertop oven offers seven cooking modes: Warm, Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, and Proof. It features an integrated temperature probe, convection cooking, and precise temperature control. The oven has a spacious interior that can fit most 9" x 13" stoneware dishes or a 5.5-pound chicken. It also comes with a signature Wolf baking pan and broiling rack.

The Wolf Gourmet Elite countertop oven weighs 47 pounds, which is significantly heavier than competing countertop convection ovens. This extra weight is an indication of the quality of the materials and the build of the oven. The oven measures 16.6"D x 22.4"W x 12.6"H and has a 5-year limited warranty.

Main Cooking Modes and Features

Wolf's countertop oven has seven cooking modes: Warm, Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, and Proof. Each mode optimises the five heating elements and advanced electronics to produce the best result for each cooking mode.

The temperature probe, which is integrated into the Wolf countertop oven, can be used with the "PROBE" function. Insert the temperature probe jack into the oven wall and the end of the probe into your food, then set your desired temperature. The oven will alert you when it's ready.

The Wolf countertop oven also features a timer that can be set for up to four hours, or until your target oven temperature is reached. There is also a "STAY ON" feature that will keep the oven on at the same temperature for up to four hours before automatically turning off.

The Broil cooking mode allows you to broil at the same high setting of 550 degrees Fahrenheit as the standard-sized Wolf ovens, with a low broiler setting of 450 degrees.

The Roast cooking mode is designed for thicker meats, cooking them at temperatures between 170 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The default temperature is 350 F.

The Bake cooking mode is suitable for baking pies, cookies, cakes, soufflés, quiche, vegetables, casseroles, and bread. It has the same temperature range as the Roast mode, and a default temperature of 350 F. Both Roast and Bake cooking modes work with the convection cooking system.

The remaining cooking modes are Toast, Bagel, Proof, and Warm.

Cooking with Convection

Wolf does make a countertop convection oven, but it does not have an air fryer function. However, you can use the Roast or Bake modes with Convection turned on to achieve a similar effect to air frying, using hot air instead of oil.

Convection ovens use a fan to circulate hot air around your food, which is the same approach that air fryers take. The main difference is that air fryers circulate the air more rapidly inside a small chamber, which speeds up the cooking process. Air fryers also use a basket to more evenly circulate hot air around the bottom of your food.

Convection ovens are great for cooking thicker meats, like roasts, whole chickens, racks of lamb, and other large cuts, while also adding a crispy "browning" to the exterior. The convection setting can also be used for baking pies, cookies, cakes, soufflés, quiche, vegetables, casseroles, and bread, and is the best mode to use to reheat food.

When cooking with convection, the general rule of thumb is to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit (or 14 degrees Celsius) or reduce the cooking time by 25% compared to a non-convection recipe.

If you're looking to cook for more than one or two people, a convection oven may be a better option than an air fryer, as it can accommodate more servings. However, keep in mind that stacking food in a convection oven can impede the flow of hot air, so it's best to arrange food in a single layer for even cooking.

Convection ovens offer several advantages over air fryers, including:

• The ability to see inside to judge the doneness of your food
• Quieter operation
• More affordable price for a comparable size
• Easier cleanup

Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven vs. Other Countertop Convection Ovens

Wolf does not appear to make a dedicated air fryer, but it does make the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven, which has convection capabilities.

The Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven is a powerful and compact appliance that offers all the benefits of a Wolf oven. It has seven cooking modes: Bake, Roast, Broil, Warm, Proof, Bagel, and Toast. It also has advanced convection cooking, which thoroughly circulates heated air for even baking and faster cooking. This can be activated with the press of a button.

The Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven has a spacious interior that can fit most 9" x 13" stoneware dishes or a 5.5-pound chicken. It also comes with a removable oven rack system, an interior halogen light, a special "Bagel" setting, and an integrated temperature probe.

When compared to other countertop convection ovens, the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven stands out for its quality and performance. It is described as the "Mercedes Benz, BMW, or Porsche of countertop ovens" by one reviewer. The oven has a simple interface, making it easy to use, and it produces outstanding cooking results.

However, it is important to note that the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven lacks the smart tech features of some other premium ovens, such as a touchscreen interface or a camera that recognizes food and makes cooking recommendations. Additionally, it is more expensive than some other options, with a suggested retail price of $949.

Other countertop convection ovens, such as the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and the Cuisinart Chef's Convection Toaster Oven, offer similar functionality and may be worth considering. These ovens often have a larger capacity than dedicated air fryers and can cook more food at once.

Dedicated air fryers, on the other hand, tend to be more compact and faster, heating up quickly and cooking food in a fraction of the time. They are ideal for small households, single servings, or snacks. However, they may not be as versatile as countertop convection ovens and usually have a smaller capacity.

Ultimately, the decision between the Wolf Gourmet Elite Countertop Oven and other countertop convection ovens or dedicated air fryers depends on your specific needs, budget, and priorities.

Frequently asked questions