The NuWave oven is a countertop convection oven that uses a combination of infrared heat, conduction, and convection to cook food quickly and evenly. It can cook foods at temperatures ranging from 100°F to 350°F, allowing you to prepare a variety of dishes from meats to casseroles to baked goods.
How the NuWave Oven Works
The NuWave oven has three main components that work together to cook food:
- Infrared heat from the top dome
- Conduction from the bottom cooking plate
- Convection from the fan and air vents
The dome on the top of the NuWave contains a 1500-watt heating element. When turned on, this element heats up and emits infrared heat that cooks the food from above similar to a broiler. The infrared heat helps brown and crisp the top of foods.
The main cooking chamber contains a removable cooking plate made of aluminum. When preheated, this plate gets hot and transfers heat to the bottom of the food through conduction. This helps brown and crisp the underside of foods.
Hot air circulates throughout the cooking chamber with the help of a fan and vents. The constant movement of hot air cooks the food evenly using convection heating.
By combining these three heating methods, the NuWave oven can cook foods very quickly, often 3-10 times faster than a conventional oven. The precise temperature control also helps prevent over or undercooking.
NuWave Oven Temperature Range
Here are the different temperature settings on the NuWave oven and what they are typically used for:
| Temperature | Use |
|---|---|
| 100°F | Proofing bread dough, warming food |
| 150°F | Dehydrating fruits and vegetables |
| 200°F | Drying herbs and spices |
| 250°F | Fermenting yogurt |
| 300°F | Slow cooking stews and braising meats |
| 325°F | Baking cakes and cookies |
| 350°F | Roasting vegetables, broiling fish |
As you can see, the NuWave oven can maintain temperatures as low as 100°F for food warming and proofing bread dough all the way up to 350°F for tasks like roasting vegetables and broiling. This range makes it extremely versatile.
How to Determine Cooking Temperature
Choosing the right cooking temperature depends on the type of food you are preparing. Here are some guidelines for common foods:
Meat
- Poultry – 325°F
- Pork chops – 300-325°F
- Beef roasts – 250-300°F
- Ground meats – 325-350°F
Seafood
- Fish fillets – 325°F
- Shrimp – 300°F
- Crab cakes – 350°F
Vegetables
- Roasted – 325-350°F
- Grilled – 300-325°F
Baked Goods
- Cookies – 325°F
- Cakes – 325°F
- Breads – 300-325°F
- Casseroles – 300°F
Keep in mind that cooking times will vary based on the amount of food you are cooking. Larger pieces of meat or denser vegetables may require longer cook times. Get to know your NuWave oven and adjust time and temperature as needed.
Tips for Best Results
Follow these tips when using your NuWave oven for top cooking performance:
- Preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
- Brush a thin layer of oil on meats and vegetables before cooking.
- Flip foods halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Let meat rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier results.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, especially for poultry and roasts.
- Adjust seasoning at the end since flavors concentrate when cooking quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum temperature of the NuWave oven?
The NuWave oven can reach temperatures up to 350°F at its highest setting.
How accurate is the temperature control?
The NuWave oven uses advanced digital temperature controls that accurately maintain set temperatures within +/- 5 degrees.
Can you use NuWave oven as a dehydrator?
Yes, the NuWave oven can be used to dehydrate foods like fruit, vegetables, and jerky at temperatures around 150°F.
What size NuWave oven should I get?
NuWave makes mini, standard, deluxe, and pro models. Choose based on your needs. The mini is great for RVs or 1-2 people. The larger models can accommodate whole chickens and roasts.
Can you cook frozen foods in NuWave?
Yes, you can cook frozen foods like pizza, French fries, nuggets etc. in a NuWave oven. The conduction plate helps crisp up the bottom too.
Conclusion
With precise temperature control from 100°F up to 350°F, the NuWave oven allows you to cook nearly any type of food quickly and evenly. Meats, vegetables, baked goods and more can all be made in the convenient countertop appliance. Just choose the right temperature based on what you are cooking and follow the recipe cooking times as a guide. With a little practice, you will be whipping up delicious meals in no time.