A NuWave oven is a countertop convection oven that uses infrared heating technology to cook food quickly and efficiently. Some of the key benefits of the NuWave oven include fast preheating, even cooking, and energy savings compared to a traditional full-size oven. With a NuWave oven, you can cook an astonishing variety of dishes that rival conventional oven results. From baking cakes and roasting meats to broiling fish and sautéing veggies, the NuWave oven opens up many new possibilities for home cooks.
What types of food can you cook in a NuWave oven?
One of the best things about the NuWave oven is its versatility. Here is an overview of the many different types of food you can cook:
Meats
The NuWave oven excels at cooking meats thoroughly and evenly. Its convection heating gives meats a nice browned exterior while keeping the interior moist and juicy. You can cook meatloaf, chicken breasts, steaks, chops, roasts, and more. The infrared heat sears the surface of meats beautifully.
Seafood
The quick preheat function makes the NuWave perfect for delicate seafood like fish fillets or shrimp. You can achieve light, flaky fish and succulent shrimp without overcooking. The convection heat ensures even results, so seafood cooks through without drying out.
Vegetables
From roasted potatoes to glazed carrots, you can cook all kinds of veggies in the NuWave. The hot air circulation gives you crisp-tender vegetables through and through. You can roast veggies at high heat or use lower temperatures for sautéing.
Baked goods
While you can’t fit a dozen cookies on a sheet pan like in a big oven, the NuWave oven bakes small batches of cookies, cakes, muffins, rolls, and more with ease. You’ll be amazed at how moist cakes and breads turn out.
Frozen foods
The NuWave oven does a fantastic job of cooking frozen foods like nuggets, fries, snacks, appetizers, and prepared meals. The infrared heat and convection fans help frozen foods crisp up nicely.
Leftovers
You can easily reheat leftovers in the NuWave oven to restore them to just-cooked quality. Pizza, fried chicken, casseroles, and other leftovers come out tasting freshly prepared.
Dehydrating
With the optional dehydrating racks, you can use the NuWave as a dehydrator to make dried fruit, veggies, meat jerky, and more. It provides consistent low heat ideal for dehydrating.
Multi-level cooking
The layered racks allow you to cook different foods at once by arranging them on 2-3 levels. You might roast a chicken on top and vegetables below to get a whole meal cooked in one go.
What are the benefits of cooking with a NuWave oven?
Here are some of the biggest benefits you’ll enjoy when cooking with the NuWave oven:
Fast preheating
The NuWave oven preheats in just minutes, unlike a traditional oven which can take 15-20 minutes to reach cooking temperature. This allows you to start cooking sooner.
Even heating
The combination of infrared heat from the top and convection heat from the fan promotes very even heating. Foods cook uniformly, eliminating cold spots.
Moisture retention
Infrared heat helps lock in moisture when cooking so foods stay tender and juicy on the inside. Meats and baked goods especially benefit.
Nutrient retention
The shorter cooking times at higher temperatures retain more vitamins and nutrients compared to traditional oven cooking.
Browning and crisping
Whether you are cooking meats, French fries, or chicken nuggets, the NuWave browns and crisps foods beautifully on the exterior.
Energy efficiency
As a countertop unit, the NuWave oven preheats and cooks using up to 70% less energy than a big wall oven. It saves money while being eco-friendly.
Portability
The compact size makes it easy to move the NuWave oven around the kitchen or transport to other locations as needed since it plugs into a standard outlet.
What are the different NuWave oven models and sizes?
NuWave offers several different oven models in various sizes to suit differing cooking needs:
NuWave Bravo XL
The large 10 quart capacity accommodates a 5 lb chicken or 12 inch pizza. Ideal for larger families. Includes a temperature probe.
NuWave Brio
A mid-sized 6 quart model good for 3-4 portions. Can fit a 3 lb chicken or 9 inch pizza. Features digital controls.
NuWave Precision
The most compact 3 quart size for individuals or couples. Cooks up to 2 lb of food. Includes a cooking rack and drip pan.
NuWave Nutri-Pot
A 6 quart digital pressure cooker with presets and the ability to slow cook, steam, and sauté. Functions as both an oven and pot.
NuWave Oven Pro Plus
An enhanced version of the original with updated insulation, entry lights, and temperature probe. 9.5 inch cooking capacity.
What accessories are available for the NuWave oven?
NuWave offers a nice range of official accessories to expand the functionality of your oven:
Cooking racks
Special stainless steel racks provide optimal airflow for items like oven fries or small items that could fall through the grates.
Reversible grill/griddle plate
One side has a flat griddle surface, the other ribbed grill lines to get grill marks on meats or vegetables.
Pizza kit
Includes a baking pan and pizza pedestal for perfect pizza making results.
Vertical roasting rack
Allows you to roast large cuts of meat vertically for more even browning.
Baking pans and liners
Parchment paper or silicone liners prevent sticking when baking. Special cake, muffin, and loaf pans fit the NuWave interior.
Temperature probe
Inserted into foods to track internal temperature and indicate doneness for accurate cooking.
Cooking bags
Reusable non-stick bags to enclose foods while steaming or sous vide cooking in the oven.
Dehydrating kit
Includes stacking racks to make jerky, dried fruits, veggie chips, and more.
How does the NuWave oven work?
The NuWave oven uses a combination of infrared, conduction, and convection heat for fast, even cooking:
Infrared heat
The domed top interior has an infrared heating coil which directly heats the surface of foods below much like a broiler. This lets you brown and crisp foods beautifully.
Conduction heat
The metal interior and racks conduct ambient heat to surround food for thorough all-over cooking. Heat passes efficiently into foods.
Convection heat
Internal fans circulate hot air like a convection oven, ensuring there are no cool spots. Food cooks uniformly thanks to this airflow.
Together these three types of heat deliver the quick cooking power that sets the NuWave oven apart from standard ovens. The combination cooks foods up to 50% faster than a conventional oven.
What are some cooking tips and tricks for the NuWave oven?
Here are some handy tips and tricks for getting the most out of the NuWave oven:
Preheating
Always preheat for at least 5 minutes when possible to get the NuWave oven up to temperature for optimal cooking.
Flipping foods
Turn meats, poultry, and other foods midway through cooking for even browning as the infrared heat only cooks the topside.
Tenting with foil
Covering foods loosely with foil tents prevents overcooking and aids in natural moisture circulation.
Using cooking liners
Liners and pans prevent sticking, contain sauces, and make cleanup easier.
Layering
Cook different foods on separate rack levels at once. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Using the temperature probe
Probe large roasts or whole poultry to determine accurately when they are done internally.
Lowering temperatures
For long cook times, reduce the temp by 25 degrees F for optimal results.
Allowing standing time
Let foods rest 5-10 minutes before serving as they will continue cooking from residual heat.
What are the steps for cooking common foods in a NuWave oven?
Here are some pointers for cooking popular foods in the NuWave oven successfully:
Whole chicken
– Preheat oven at 350 degrees F
– Season chicken inside and out
– Place chicken breast side up on cooking rack
– Cook approximately 15 minutes per pound
– Baste with juices midway and tent with foil
– Let rest 10 minutes before serving
Pork chops
– Preheat to 400 degrees F
– Brush chops with oil and season as desired
– Cook 4 chops about 5 minutes per side
– Check internal temperature to confirm doneness
– Remove and tent with foil before serving
Frozen pizza
– Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
– Place pizza directly on cooking rack
– Cook 10-14 minutes watching to prevent burning
– Check frequently and remove when cheese is melted and crust is crisped
Baked potatoes
– Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
– Prick potatoes several times with fork
– Place directly on oven rack and cook 40-50 minutes
– Check for doneness and continue cooking until soft
– Halve potatoes and fluff insides before adding toppings
Cookies
– Line baking pan with parchment paper
– Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
– Scoop dough onto pan spacing apart
– Cook 7-10 minutes, watching not to burn
– Cookies will be soft but will firm up when cooling
– Let cool 5 minutes on pan before removing
What maintenance does the NuWave oven require?
To keep your NuWave performing its best, follow these maintenance tips:
Clean after each use
Wipe out the interior with a soft cloth or sponge. Wash racks, pans, and accessories as needed.
Avoid abrasives
Gentle dish soap and water is best for cleaning. Avoid scouring pads or abrasive cleaners.
Check door seals
Make sure the door is sealing tightly shut to maximize heat retention and efficiency.
Empty grease tray
Be sure to empty the grease collection tray in the bottom to prevent overflow.
Descale as needed
Use a commercial descaling product occasionally if you live in a hard water area to remove mineral deposits.
Avoid metal utensils
Use wood, plastic, or silicone utensils when cooking to protect the non-stick surfaces from scratching.
Check components
Inspect heating elements, hinges, latches, etc. to ensure all parts are in good working order.
What are the safety tips for using a NuWave oven?
Like any cooking appliance, proper safety is important when using your NuWave oven:
Use oven mitts
The metal interior and racks get very hot! Always use protective mitts when handling.
Unplug when not in use
Don’t leave the oven plugged in when not cooking to prevent accidental turning on.
Keep away from water
Never immerse the oven in water or wash under a direct stream. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Monitor children
Do not let young children operate the oven. Supervise older children closely.
Keep away from edges
Position the oven safely away from edges of counters to avoid accidentally being knocked off.
Attend oven while cooking
Don’t leave the oven cooking unattended to prevent fires or boiling over.
Allow cooling before storing
Always be sure the oven has cooled fully before stowing away in a cabinet to prevent a fire hazard.
Check for damage
Do not operate a NuWave oven with any damaged parts including power cords and plugs.
Troubleshooting common NuWave oven problems
Here are some tips for troubleshooting frequent issues with the NuWave oven:
Oven doesn’t heat up
– Check that the power cord is securely plugged in
– Ensure the outlet is working by plugging in a lamp or other appliance
– Reset the breaker if needed if on a tripped circuit
– Contact customer service if oven still doesn’t heat
Food burns or cooks unevenly
– Allow proper preheating time before cooking
– Use recommended temperature settings for specific foods
– Rotate or stir foods during cooking for even exposure to heat
– Adjust rack placement as needed for different foods
Interior light doesn’t work
– Verify the light bulb is screwed in completely
– Check bulb for burnout and replace if faulty
– Make sure power cord is fully plugged in
– Contact support if power cord and bulb are functional
Smoke coming from oven vent
– This is normal for the grease and vapors escaping the internal chamber
– Clean oven interior regularly to minimize excess grease buildup
– Be sure foods are not overcooking and generating extra smoke
Excess moisture in oven chamber
– Allow oven to fully preheat before placing foods inside to prevent steaming
– Use tenting foil method to shield foods and absorb extra moisture
– Prop oven door open slightly with wooden spoon after cooking
Conclusion
With its fast cook times, versatility, and convection heat, the NuWave oven opens up many possibilities beyond a traditional oven. From baking birthday cakes to roasting juicy turkeys to turning leftovers into tasty meals, the NuWave allows you to cook almost anything you can imagine right on the countertop. Following the guidance in this article, you will find the NuWave oven easy and enjoyable to use while turning out delicious results on a wide array of foods. So go ahead and take your cooking to the next level with all that a NuWave oven has to offer!