My kitchen counter used to look like a battlefield of appliances. Juggling a separate air fryer, an indoor grill, and a toaster oven for a single weeknight meal was exhausting, not to mention the mountain of cleanup afterwards. This constant clutter and inefficiency were sucking the joy out of cooking. I knew I needed a consolidated, powerful solution, an all-in-one device that could reclaim my counter space and make delicious, healthy meals feel effortless again.
Before you invest in a multi-functional countertop oven, it’s important to understand what problem you’re trying to solve. These combination appliances are designed for those looking to save space, time, and effort in the kitchen by merging the capabilities of several gadgets into one. They offer incredible versatility, from air frying crispy appetizers with less oil to grilling juicy steaks with authentic sear marks, all without firing up your main oven.
The ideal customer for this category is the home cook who values efficiency and versatility. If you live in an apartment with a small kitchen, have a busy family and want to put healthier meals on the table quickly, or simply love experimenting with different cooking methods, an air fryer grill combo is a fantastic investment. However, if your culinary needs are limited to making toast and reheating leftovers, the advanced features might be overkill. In that case, a simpler, less expensive toaster oven would suffice. Key things to consider are the appliance’s footprint on your counter, its power and temperature range, the interior capacity, the variety of functions, and, crucially, how easy it is to clean.
- 150 EASY-COOK PRESETS: Nuwave Air Fryer Oven comes with 100 presets and functions for air frying, grilling, baking, broiling, toasting...
- PATENT PLUG-IN GRILL: This innovative thick, non-stick grill grate easily inserts for convenience and flexibility. Embedded sheath...
A Look at the Nuwave Pro-Smart Oven
The Nuwave Plug-In Grill Air Fryer Oven Combo presents itself as the ultimate countertop cooking station. It’s a robust, stainless steel unit that promises to deliver the authentic char-grilled flavor of an outdoor BBQ along with the rapid, healthy cooking of a high-end air fryer. When you open the box, you get the main oven unit, a heavy-duty non-stick plug-in grill grate, a baking and drip pan, an air fry basket, a wire cooking rack, an integrated digital smart probe, and a recipe book from renowned Chef Todd English to get you started. This specific product is for the culinary enthusiast who wants precision and power. It’s not for the person who will be intimidated by its vast array of options and just wants a simple “on” button.
Pros:
- Genuine plug-in grill plate with embedded heating coils for authentic searing.
- 100 presets and 50 programmable memory slots for customized cooking.
- An included smart temperature probe ensures perfect doneness.
- Superior thermal insulation keeps heat inside the unit.
- Most accessories are non-stick and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Cons:
- The numerous functions and settings can present a learning curve.
- Its size requires a dedicated spot on the countertop.
- The preheating process has a multi-step confirmation that can be confusing at first.
- 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 machine for months, I’ve explored its features inside and out. It has truly replaced several other appliances and earned its permanent spot on my counter. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so special.
The PATENT PLUG-IN GRILL: Authentic Char Flavor Realized
This is the star of the show and the feature that sets this Nuwave apart from the competition. Most “grill” functions on countertop ovens use intense top-down heat, which is more like broiling. The this innovative grill is a thick, heavy, non-stick grate that you physically plug into a port inside the oven. It has its own sheath heating coils embedded directly within it. This design provides powerful, direct heat from below, just like a traditional outdoor grill.
The result is undeniable. I’ve cooked ribeye steaks that came out with a perfect, deep-brown crust and beautiful grill marks. The flavor is genuinely char-grilled, a taste I thought was impossible to achieve indoors. The grill heats up to a blistering 550°F, allowing for a fantastic sear that locks in juices. Furthermore, the grate has small oil drain holes that channel excess fat away into the drip pan below, making for a healthier final product without sacrificing that rich, grilled taste.
Combo Cooking: The Best of Both Worlds
The true magic happens when you engage the combo cooking feature. This function activates the bottom plug-in grill and the top heating elements with the convection fan simultaneously. This dynamic approach allows you to achieve textures and flavors that a single-function appliance can’t. Imagine cooking chicken thighs; the bottom grill sears the skin to a crispy, flavorful finish while the circulating hot air from above cooks the meat through evenly and quickly.
I’ve used this mode to make “grilled” asparagus that had a slight char while being perfectly tender, and to cook salmon fillets that were flaky and moist with crispy skin. The air fryer grill combo function has completely changed my meal-prepping game, allowing me to cook a protein and a vegetable side dish at the same time, with each component getting the exact type of heat it needs. It lives up to its promise of healthier cooking, delivering that deep-fried crispiness with up to 95% less oil.
2024 Full-Improved Convection System: Precision and Evenness
An uneven oven is a frustrating oven. The 2024 convection system in this unit is a significant upgrade. Nuwave claims it provides twice the evenness, and my experience validates this. When air frying, a full basket of chicken wings comes out uniformly golden and crispy, with no need to stop and shake the basket halfway through. When baking, I’ve made batches of cookies where the ones in the back are just as perfectly baked as the ones in the front. This reliable consistency eliminates the guesswork and babysitting that other countertop ovens often require. It’s a quiet but powerful fan that circulates air efficiently, ensuring there are no dreaded hot or cold spots.
Unmatched Control with Presets and the Smarter Probe
This Convection Toaster Oven is built for precision. It comes loaded with 100 presets for everything from pizza and bagels to dehydrating fruit. While these are great starting points, the 50 empty memory slots are where it truly shines, allowing you to save your own multi-stage cooking recipes.
However, the single most valuable tool for ensuring perfect results is the integrated smarter probe. You simply insert the probe into your cut of meat, plug it into the oven, and set your desired final internal temperature. Whether it’s 135°F for a medium-rare steak or 165°F for a juicy chicken breast, the oven monitors the food’s temperature in real-time. Once the target is reached, it automatically shuts off the cooking process. This feature has completely eliminated the fear of overcooking expensive cuts of meat. Every single time, the results are flawless and cooked to perfection from edge to edge.
User-Friendly Design and Easy Cleanup
Despite its advanced capabilities, this multi-functional appliance is designed with the user in mind. The combination of a digital display, a selection knob, and touch controls is intuitive after a brief familiarization period. The heavy-duty stainless steel construction feels premium and durable, with no plastic odors even during the initial burn-off. The double-layer glass door is a standout feature, providing excellent insulation that keeps the exterior relatively cool to the touch and prevents your kitchen from heating up.
Best of all, cleanup is a breeze. The non-stick surfaces on the grill plate and pans are genuinely effective, and most food residue wipes away with minimal effort. The grill plate, air fry basket, wire rack, and drip pan are all dishwasher-safe, which is a huge convenience for busy weeknights.
What Others Are Saying
I spent some time looking through online reviews to see if my experience was unique, and it seems many others are just as impressed. Users consistently rave about the authentic grilling capability, noting how it produces perfect sear marks and flavor that other air fryers can’t replicate. Many highlight the even cooking performance and the convenience of the temperature probe. A common theme is how easy the unit is to clean compared to previous air fryers they’ve owned, with many calling it a “game-changer” for saving precious counter space by combining multiple appliances into one sleek unit.
The Final Verdict
The daily challenge of juggling multiple appliances and facing a sink full of dishes can make anyone dread cooking at home. The Nuwave Plug-In Grill Air Fryer Oven Combo directly solves this problem by offering a powerful, all-in-one solution without compromise. It excels because it doesn’t just add a “grill” button; it incorporates a dedicated, direct-heat grilling system that delivers authentic results. This, combined with its precise smart probe and highly efficient convection system, makes it a top-tier performer. If you’re ready to elevate your cooking, save space, and make delicious meals with ease, this is the appliance you’ve been waiting for. Click here to check it out and see for yourself.
Last update on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API