Electric mini-oven for the kitchen: rating of the best models 2020-2021. Which one to choose?

Additional equipment

The equipment of a miniature product is a very important factor when purchasing:

1. Telescopic guides will protect users from possible burns, allowing you to easily remove the baking sheet or grill.
2. The presence of a grill allows you to bake food in a special way, giving it an exceptional aroma and unforgettable taste.
3. The rotating spit allows you to roast large pieces of meat or whole poultry while preserving the juices.
4. Timer - such a device adds convenience, because it will notify you of the end of the process with a sound signal or automatically turn off the product.
5. The backlight allows you to visually observe the cooking process without opening the door, which sharply lowers the temperature inside the oven.
6. The type of door opening plays a big role: when the product is installed high, the best option is a side opening.

Many models support the standard method of cleaning the interior with steam: pour water onto a baking sheet, then turn on the maximum temperature for a few minutes. After this, the internal volume must be wiped with a napkin or a clean cloth.

Conclusion

The use of convection ovens is not limited to industrial food production and baking. A significant number of manufacturers of units for heat treatment of products have launched the production of small-sized models. The equipment is actively used in domestic conditions. The operating features and technical characteristics of convection ovens allow you to expand your home menu and simplify the process of preparing main types of dishes.

Depending on your budget, you can choose a convection oven for your home that suits the price, design and functionality. Many brands produce model lines for different price niches: from economical to luxury.

Advantages and disadvantages of mini-ovens

There are several characteristics that make a mini-oven more convenient than large ovens:

• Saving space in the kitchen;
• The device can be placed at hand level, which will allow housewives not to bend over the baking sheet;
• Modern models have many additional cooking modes;
• The ovens are also equipped with special functions that facilitate the cooking process and reduce the risk of spoiling the dish;
• Almost all mini-ovens distribute hot air evenly, due to which the dish is baked on all sides.

Despite all the advantages listed above, electric furnaces also have disadvantages, which are also important to pay attention to when making a purchase:

• Many appliances are not well insulated, so the door and sides can become very hot. This makes it difficult to install and operate the electric furnace;
• Over time, some models begin to heat up more slowly and hold the temperature worse;
• Also, after a while, the thermostat may not match the temperature inside the device, which can have a significant impact on the quality of the dish, since many recipes require baking at a certain temperature.

Advice! To avoid these shortcomings, you need to familiarize yourself with the ratings of models and manufacturers in advance, and also look for reviews about the long-term use of an electrical appliance.

Main settings

The volume of ovens is usually divided into three main types:

• 10-15 l is the normal size for a family that already has a stationary stove for the kitchen;
• 25 l is the average value;
• above is a professional oven.

Many users are mistaken, assuming that by choosing the maximum oven volume for their home, they will immediately solve all problems.

Firstly, the chosen option may not fit into the previously prepared place, since the dimensions will be much larger. Secondly, a large volume also means greater power, and this is a sure step towards high energy costs. Taking into account the dimensions of the oven, manufacturers install appropriate heating elements, for example, 10 l - 0.8 kW, and up to 25 l - no less than 1.5 kW.

Smooth temperature control, as well as turning the heating element on and off, will allow you to implement bold culinary decisions correctly and with high quality. Some manufacturers install an electronic panel, but such models are much more expensive, the accuracy of this type is excellent, but the reliability is average: all it takes is one controller to break down, and you will have to replace the entire system.

A package of additional options is considered an important characteristic, because it includes heating ready-made dishes, boiling milk, or the system automatically defrosts the necessary products, like a quick defrost option on a microwave. After the process is completed, the sound timer will notify you with a signal. Some models have two cast iron burners on top with a power of 0.6 and 0.8 kW - this allows you to cook several dishes at the same time: two on the burners and, for example, grilled chicken in the oven.

Convection oven

Convection equipment was born in Germany, having gone through many years of improvement. The latest models are controlled by electronics, microprocessor systems, which take care of the entire cooking cycle.

The principle of convection ovens is the implementation of thermal heating inside the chamber using a jet, equal-flow method using steam for heat treatment of the food product.

Hot air circulates, it is pumped in using a fan, and the generated steam sets a specific humidified atmosphere with the required temperature indicator.

The thermostat controls the set temperature by turning on/off the heating element through which air is drawn from the fan.

A steam convection oven provides high energy savings and is able to replace a whole range of kitchen appliances.

Undeniable advantages:

1. production speed;
2. preservation of vitamins and microelements of the product;
3. You can cook different dishes at different levels within one load;
4. high return on equipment due to low energy costs;
5. long service life.

Which is better: an oven or a mini-oven?

The advantage of a roaster over an oven is not only its compactness, but also its versatility.

For reference! The mini-oven copes not only with baking food, but also with defrosting and heating it.

And the presence of automatic programs in the device makes cooking as simple as possible, even for novice cooks.

The disadvantages of roasters mainly related to the design features of individual models.

In order not to encounter negative aspects during the operation of the device, you should choose products from well-known manufacturers.

Additional functions

For ease of use, the roster may provide a number of additional options:

1. Thermostat. Allows you to independently select the optimal temperature for cooking. Modern units have a fairly wide temperature range, which starts from 60 0C.
2. Timer. Designed to adjust the oven operating time.
3. Backlight. Used to control the cooking process. There is no need to open the unit door.
4. Auto power off. When the oven reaches the set temperature, the heating turns off. This feature ensures safe operation of the roaster.
5. Self-cleaning. This is done by heating water in a container. After treatment with hot steam, the oven walls can be easily cleaned of grease and carbon deposits.
6. Door lock. Especially useful if there are children in the house.
7. Memorizing programs. The user can independently create a cooking mode by setting the desired temperature and time.

How to choose

Every housewife understands perfectly well that a mini-oven is 3in1, or even more, so you need to choose according to your preferences. First, you need to decide for what specific purposes you want to purchase a new device: cook food constantly, reheat pre-prepared dishes, or use it for home baking or preparing grilled chicken.

Many experienced housewives choose mini-ovens with a slightly larger volume, because the space helps the dough rise better, and this improves the quality of the pies.

The internal coating is considered the second most important indicator of product quality, because the metal must be heat-resistant, resistant to mechanical stress and not susceptible to chemical detergents. The high quality coating is accompanied by the obligatory Durastone inscription.

To control the process, you need high-quality internal lighting that brightly illuminates the entire space.

Pay special attention to the fact that some manufacturers add a lot of unnecessary options that you may only use once, and you pay extra for each one. Design is of great importance, because a nice option looks great and does not overload the kitchen interior.

Convection ensures fast cooking: according to experts, the process is reduced by 30 and sometimes 50%, which has a positive effect on energy consumption. Baked crispy crust is not a fad, but a requirement of modern technologies for baking poultry carcasses, as well as hot sandwiches. Even toast looks more appetizing when it's well-done.

Which is better: microwave or mini-oven?

Need to know! A mini oven cooks food more efficiently than a microwave, which is primarily designed to heat food.

In addition, the roaster can save space in the kitchen by replacing several appliances at once .

Those concerned about safety should also consider a compact oven.

If it breaks, it will immediately stop working, while microwaves can enter the environment through minor damage to the housing.

Rating

Budget models

Inexpensive electric mini-ovens are the best option for a summer house, country house or small apartment. The key advantages of the mini-oven models presented in this category are their compactness and low cost.

Middle price segment

Mini-ovens in the mid-price segment include models that have an up-to-date set of functions, while at the same time demonstrating the affordable cost of goods.

Premium models

Premium mini-ovens have an expanded range of functions. These products are suitable for advanced cooks, as well as anyone who likes to experiment with cooking methods.