My trusty old toaster oven finally gave up the ghost after years of faithful service, leaving a void on my kitchen counter. I was dreading having to fire up my large, conventional oven just to make a small batch of roasted vegetables or reheat leftovers, especially during warmer months. The idea of heating the entire kitchen for a single dish seemed so wasteful. A powerful, versatile, and compact replacement like the KitchenAid Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven would have solved my problem perfectly.
A quality countertop oven is designed to solve a few common kitchen problems: saving energy, saving time, and saving space. For anyone who doesn’t want to use a large, inefficient full-size oven for smaller meals, these appliances are a game-changer. They preheat faster, use less electricity, and can often deliver comparable, if not better, results for many cooking tasks.
The ideal customer for a countertop oven is someone living in an apartment, a couple, a small family, or even a home baker who needs a second oven for proofing dough or baking side dishes. They are perfect for those who value convenience and efficiency. However, if you have a large family and regularly cook multiple large-casserole meals at once, a countertop oven might feel restrictive. In that case, sticking with a full-size double oven might be your best bet.
Before you make a purchase, consider a few key factors. First, measure your counter space carefully. These ovens need adequate clearance for ventilation, and some are deeper than you might expect. Next, think about functionality. Do you just need a toaster, or would you benefit from features like air frying, convection baking, dehydrating, and proofing? Finally, consider ease of use and cleaning. Look for intuitive controls, a clear digital display, and features like a non-stick interior and a removable crumb tray.
- No flip, perfect air fry creations with the No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System for everything from fresh cut french fries,...
- Even-Heat Convection Technology - top and bottom heating element design and convection fan ensure the inside of the oven is heated to,...
Introducing the KitchenAid KCO124BM
The KitchenAid Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven, finished in a sleek Black Matte, is more than just a toaster oven; it’s a compact culinary powerhouse. It promises to deliver the performance and possibilities of a full-size oven right on your countertop. It’s designed for the home cook who values both aesthetics and functionality. When you open the box, you’ll find the oven itself, along with a suite of high-quality accessories: an air fry basket, a 9×13-inch baking pan with a grill rack, a removable metal drip and crumb tray, and a removable metal rack. This appliance is for someone who wants to upgrade from a basic toaster and explore new cooking methods like air frying and dehydrating without committing to multiple separate devices. It may not be for the extremely budget-conscious buyer, as its premium features come with a corresponding price tag.
Pros:
* Incredibly versatile with 9 different cooking functions.
* No-Flip Air Fry System provides even crisping without intervention.
* Even-Heat Convection Technology ensures consistent cooking results.
* Spacious interior fits standard 9×13-inch bakeware.
* Sleek, premium build quality and appearance.
Cons:
* The exterior surfaces get very hot during operation.
* Its deep profile takes up significant back-to-front counter space.
* The end-of-cycle alert beep is rather quiet.
- 𝘼𝙞𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology delivers a powerful 3600 rpm fan speed...
- AIR CRISP TECHNOLOGY: 400℉ superheated air surrounds food for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
- CAPACITY: 3-quart air fryer perfect for cooking meals for 2-4 people, featuring an elegant ROSE finish.
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After using this oven for an extended period, I’ve come to appreciate the thoughtful engineering behind its key features. It has truly become the workhorse of my kitchen, handling daily tasks with an efficiency my main oven could never match.
No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System
The headlining feature is undoubtedly its air frying capability. KitchenAid’s “No-Flip” Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System is a brilliant innovation. Many air fryers require you to pause the cooking cycle halfway through to shake or flip the food to ensure even crisping. With this system, that step is eliminated. The design of the mesh basket combined with the powerful, rear-mounted convection fan circulates hot air all around the food.
I’ve made everything from frozen french fries and tater tots to fresh-cut chicken wings and delicate salmon fillets. The results are consistently impressive. Fries come out perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside. Chicken wings develop a wonderfully crunchy skin, and the fat renders away beautifully. Even breaded fish cooks to a perfect crisp without becoming oily or soggy. This feature not only provides convenience but also delivers superior texture, mimicking deep-frying with a fraction of the oil.
Even-Heat Convection Technology
Beyond air frying, the core of this oven’s excellent performance lies in its Even-Heat Convection Technology. It utilizes heating elements on both the top and bottom, along with the convection fan, to maintain a precise and stable temperature throughout the cooking chamber. This eliminates the notorious hot spots that plague many lesser countertop ovens, which often lead to burnt edges and undercooked centers.
I’ve baked sheet cakes, roasted vegetables, and cooked one-pan dinners, and the evenness is remarkable. A 9×13-inch pan of brownies bakes with a consistent texture from corner to corner. Roasted broccoli and asparagus cook through evenly without any charred bits. This reliability gives you the confidence to tackle recipes you might normally reserve for your full-size oven, knowing that this versatile oven can handle the job with precision.
Impressive Large Capacity
For a countertop appliance, the capacity is surprisingly generous. The interior is intelligently designed to accommodate a standard 9×13-inch baking pan (which is included), a 12-inch pizza, or even up to two 3.4-pound chickens. This is a significant advantage, as it means you’re not limited to cooking tiny portions. It easily handles dinner for a small family.
One thing to note is that while there are two rack positions, they are placed quite close together. This makes it difficult to cook two thick items simultaneously. However, you can creatively use the space, for example, by placing the baking pan under the air fry basket to catch drips. It’s important to be aware of the unit’s physical footprint; at 16 inches deep, it requires a good amount of counter space, so be sure to measure before you buy.
9 Essential Cooking Settings
The true versatility of this machine is unlocked through its nine cooking presets, all easily selected with a simple turn of the dial. These aren’t just gimmicks; each function is well-calibrated for its intended purpose. The functions include:
* Air Fry: For crispy, fried-like results.
* Dehydrate: Perfect for making beef jerky or dried fruit snacks at a low, consistent temperature.
* Toast/Bagel: Allows you to select the number of slices and desired shade for perfect results every time. The bagel function correctly toasts the cut side while gently warming the back.
* Bake: Standard baking function for cakes, cookies, and casseroles.
* Broil: High, direct heat for melting cheese or searing meats.
* Reheat: A much better alternative to the microwave for reviving leftovers without making them soggy.
* Keep Warm: Holds food at a ready-to-serve temperature.
* Proof: A fantastic feature for bakers, providing a low, stable temperature environment to help bread dough rise effectively.
This range of functions means the this digital countertop oven can replace several other appliances, saving you valuable counter and storage space.
Design, Usability, and Cleanup
The build quality is what you’d expect from KitchenAid—solid and premium. The Black Matte finish is stylish and resists fingerprints well. The control knobs have a satisfying, sturdy feel, and the digital display is bright and easy to read. One of my favorite small features is the fast preheat, which brings the oven to baking temperature in under four minutes, a huge time-saver for weeknight meals.
The non-stick interior and removable crumb tray at the bottom make cleanup fairly straightforward. Most splatters wipe away easily. One minor concern noted by some users is the potential for the included baking pan to show wear or rust over time, so careful hand-washing is recommended. As with most powerful countertop ovens, the exterior casing, especially the top and sides, gets quite hot. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for clearance (at least 4 inches) around the unit for safety and proper ventilation.
What Other Users Are Saying
I wasn’t the only one impressed, so I scoured the internet for other user experiences. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Many owners report that this appliance has all but replaced their full-size oven for daily cooking, praising its quick preheating and excellent, even results. People love the solid build quality and attractive design. The most common minor critiques echo my own observations: the unit takes up a fair amount of counter depth and the exterior gets very hot to the touch during use, requiring caution.
The Final Verdict
If you’re struggling with the inefficiency and hassle of using a large oven for small-to-medium-sized meals, the problem needs a modern solution. A versatile countertop oven saves you time, energy, and keeps your kitchen cooler. The KitchenAid KCO124BM is an outstanding choice to solve that problem. Its combination of powerful Even-Heat Convection Technology, a convenient No-Flip Air Fry system, and nine useful functions makes it an incredibly capable kitchen workhorse. For a reliable, beautifully designed, and highly versatile appliance that will quickly earn its spot on your counter, Click here to check out the KitchenAid Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven.
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API