The NuWave Pro Infrared Oven from Hearthware Home Products is a revolutionary concept in countertop cooking. This dome-shaped cooker uses infrared radiant heat, combined with conduction heat and a convection fan to cook foods up to 50 percent faster than conventional methods. Because this method requires no added oil or fat, foods are healthier too.

The oven consists of a 14-inch-diameter plastic base with removable shallow oven pan, reversible wire cooking rack, transparent dome cover and power head with side handles. When fully assembled, the unit stands approximately 14 inches tall.

The NuWave Pro offers the advantage of faster cooking, using a gentler heat method that generates no smoke. Foods can be prepared either fresh or frozen, using the supplied pan or your own cooking dish. This oven also works well with oven bags so there's virtually no cleanup.

This model has a digital control panel with smooth touchpad buttons to select the power level and cooking time. A digital screen displays the time remaining in the cooking cycle. There are additional buttons to start cooking, pause or clear the chosen settings, and set the timer to operate independent of cooking.

For the most part, we found the controls to be quite intuitive. Determining the required cook time takes a bit of practice since the NuWave is designed to complete cooking much faster than a traditional oven. The unit comes with a detailed recipe booklet that provides guidance on cooking a variety of foods. We loved the fact that no preheating was required. The unit starts to work immediately.

We found this oven to be quite efficient and loved the fact that it can cook frozen foods without having to first thaw them. A frozen roast, for instance, will cook at a rate of about 30 minutes per pound versus 20 minutes per pound for a fresh roast. The infrared heat penetrates the food from the inside out so foods cook evenly and retain their natural juices and flavor. Plus, we liked being able to watch as the foods cooked.

The initial setup was a bit more complicated than standard countertop ovens. You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the instructions and trying some sample recipes. We found that quick breads and other dense foods took about the same amount of time in the NuWave Oven, but turned out light and fluffy. Biscuits and similar foods turn out light and airy in about 30 percent less time than a standard oven.

Just about anything that can be cooked in a regular oven can be cooked in the NuWave Pro. Baked potatoes, casseroles, whole chickens, turkeys or Cornish game hens, burgers, steak, meatloaf and more. Its only limitation is size. Because of the round shape, traditional lasagna pans won't work; however, any round pan -- glass, metal or silicone -- and some square pans can be used, or you can simply place foods directly on the wire rack.

Another great benefit of the NuWave Pro is its energy-saving capability. This oven uses 1500 watts, as compared to 3500 watts of a conventional oven and since it cooks many foods faster, you can turn it off sooner as well. Plus, you don't have to heat your entire kitchen, as a full-size oven would.

The NuWave Pro Infrared Oven is not your average toaster oven. In fact, it is closer to a standard oven in terms of functionality. This oven is a fun and interesting addition to any countertop.


Pros: Cooks up to 40 percent faster than standard ovens, energy-savings
Cons: Bulky to store, complicated assembly

Warranty
1 year, limited