Have you ever heard of microwave toasters, convection ovens, and microwave toaster ovens of 2022? Don’t worry; the market for these products is quite new with our top 5 best air fryer microwave combos of 2022, you are sure to choose from the best after reading this article.
But do they merit the publicity? Do these genuinely increase the value of your kitchen, or is this just another marketing gimmick to encourage us to buy more?
If you choose the proper model, air fryer microwaves are unquestionably worthwhile, in our opinion!
They provide the best of both worlds by allowing for speedy food heating using the microwave option as well as quick browning and crisping of food using the air fryer setting.
What are the top best air fryer microwave combos of 2022 then? The best models allow you to prepare the precise amount of food you require, provide you with a ton of ease with pre-set features or programmable power settings, and really perform just as well as their stand-alone counterparts.
Today, we’ll examine what what air fryer microwaves are, how they operate, their benefits and drawbacks, and provide some excellent buying advice.
Then, we’ll show you some of our top picks for air fryer microwaves online and explain why they are superior to the competition, but before then, let’s get to understand some facts about air fryer microwave combos. You might like to know how to ripen plantains, the perfect way
Air Fryers Vs. Microwaves: What’s the Difference?
So please bear with us as we outline the precise distinctions between an air fryer and a microwave for a variety of reasons. It will first assist you in deciding whether purchasing a combined appliance is worthwhile.
The next step is to comprehend the features so you can know what to search for when purchasing an air fryer microwave.
Finally, it will assist you in comprehending the operation of your air fryer microwave and when to employ each feature. So let’s get started right away!
Despite the fact that you have undoubtedly heard of air fryers and microwaves, very few people are genuinely aware of their distinctions. The primary distinction is in how they generate heat.
How They Work
Heating elements that are coils are used in air fryers. The coiled element is heated by electric currents, and a built-in fan helps the heat be distributed evenly across the cooking chamber.
It is a form of convection cooking that operates in a manner similar to convection ovens but on a much smaller size.
When compared to conventional ovens, air fryers can quickly reach extremely high temperatures, and the evenly dispersed heat allows food to cook quite evenly.
Additionally, it is a fantastic technique to caramelize or brown food without overcooking it.
Meal cooked in an air fryer has a crispy texture akin to that produced by deep-frying since it aids in dehydrating the food.
On the other hand, microwaves operate using electromagnetic radiation—fancy!
However, the way it actually happens is that the microwaves produced by the appliance cause the water molecules in the meal to vibrate. Your food is essentially heated by the heat produced by these vibrations.
Although they are undoubtedly the fastest heating device available, microwaves do not crisp up or even slightly brown your food.
This is because they don’t promote evaporation and instead employ moisture to help heat the food (drying).
Design
Each of these appliances has a really different design as well! While both come in a variety of sizes, microwaves are typically more space-efficient than air fryers (despite being bigger).
This is a contentious claim, but bear with us while we explain!
Many kitchens feature dedicated racks for microwaves because of their box design, saving you some counter space. To store stuff above the microwave, you may also get a stacking shelf for the counter.
On the other hand, air fryers are disproportionately large for the amount of food they can actually cook. They are not stackable, and no kitchen is built with an air fryer shelf.
Functions
Their functions are another notable distinction. The purpose of microwaves is to reheat, not necessarily to cook. On the other hand, air fryers are designed to cook rather than just reheat.
An air fryer microwave combo was unavoidable since, in general, what one appliance lacks, the other makes up for.
Food cannot be crisped in a microwave, but air fryers can. See where we’re going with this? Microwaves can defrost food well whereas air fryers cannot.
What Are Microwaves For Air Fryer?
Consider it a dream come true if an air fryer and a microwave had a child! This kitchen equipment combines the functions of an air fryer with a microwave.
As we briefly said earlier, the other appliance makes up for what the first one lacks.
Therefore, if you need to reheat your meal, use the microwave option. Then, if you want to add some color, just switch to the air fryer setting.
These gadgets, however, are much more astounding than that! They frequently also have pre-set functions.
In essence, this implies that you may program a function to defrost food in the microwave for 10 minutes, then switch to an air fryer for 7 minutes to assist cook and brown the meal.
The appliances frequently contain sensor technology that can calculate the precise time and power setting your microwave or air fryer needs to cook at. This is calculated based on the item’s weight.
A built-in convection oven is another fantastic feature that these appliances frequently have.
However, we shall note that air frying and convection cooking are nearly identical and typically only differ in the quantity of food they can cook.
You may set the convection setting to convection roasting or baking, something the air fryer does not enable you to do. On occasion, you can even set it to broil.
Only the baking heating element is used in convection baking and roasting to heat the air, which is then moved around by the fan.
Convection roasting creates extremely high circulating heat and crisp food from the top by utilizing both the baking and broiling heating elements (and occasionally even a third element at the back of the oven). This method is quite similar to air frying.
Benefits of Microwave Air Fryer
The fact that an air fryer microwave saves so much room is one of its main advantages! You essentially have two appliances (often three or four) crammed into one design. They can also be integrated into a cupboard or are available in countertop style.
Due to the air circulating technology in these appliances, especially when employing combination cooking, the food is also significantly healthier.
They are available in a huge variety of sizes, ranging from 0.6 cubic feet to 2 cubic feet! Due to its versatility, you can air fry more food with it than with most standalone air fryers.
Air fryer microwaves’ drawbacks
The price of these appliances is their largest drawback, especially given that the majority of families undoubtedly already own at least one of the two. Although rather expensive, we believe these are worthwhile.
One of the two air fryer microwaves occasionally (not usually, though!) doesn’t work as well, which is a drawback. The air fryer is typically used for this, but what good is having one if it can’t crisp food up well?
The Microwave Air Fryer Combo Buying Guide
There are a few factors to consider while searching for a high-quality microwave air fryer combination. What you want it to achieve ultimately depends on its technological capabilities, if you will.
Functionality
Okay, so it is clear that this is the appliance’s most crucial feature. The entire device is useless if the microwave, air fryer, or convection oven components aren’t functioning properly.
Read as many reviews as you can and confirm that the appliance has the proper heating elements. Without having to first purchase a certain model, this is the greatest method to find out how well they function.
Power Configurations and Use
In general, most people consider how much electricity an appliance needs while selecting any kind of device. The majority of microwave air fryer combinations use around 120 watts, however certain types may use more.
However, you can find some that have an eco-mode that will help you save energy while the appliance is in standby.
You also have to decide how high or low to place it, which is another power-related decision.
Most include 10 programmable power levels that, in essence, let you choose the heat output. Naturally, you’ll use less force when defrosting.
We strongly advise selecting a device that includes this programmable option or, at the very least, a ton of preset features with varying levels of power strength.
Size
Due to the wide range of sizes available for air fryer microwaves, this is particularly crucial. Ensure that the one you select will meet your demands.
You can use a 0.6 cubic feet model for single or double portions. However, you should pick a larger appliance if your household is larger or if you need to make more food. The largest model we’ve seen is 2 cubic feet.
Design
Durability is the most crucial consideration when it comes to design. The majority of microwave air fryers are composed of stainless steel.
After that, you can inspect the glass. We favor transparent, scratch-resistant glass. An added perk is an integrated LED light for meal monitoring.
In addition, you may browse the available countertop or built-in versions in a variety of colors and styles.
Top 5 Best Air Fryer Microwave Combos
We’ve gathered a list of our favorite microwave air fryer combinations below that are all easily accessible online. These range in size, usefulness, and price, so you may be sure to find a model you like!
1. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer
In essence, this model is four appliances in one. It has four different cooking modes: convection oven, broiler, air fryer, and microwave!
The fact that you may utilize any of these features separately or in combination with one another makes this appliance even better!
With the air fryer mode, you can cook food that is delectably crisp and juicy and even choose the precise temperature and cooking time you require. Additionally, similar to conventional air fryers, you don’t need to add any oil to the food, making this an extremely healthy cooking technique.
There are two settings in the convection oven, including roasting and baking. While the roasting convection setting will produce nicely browned or caramelized items, convection baking is perfect for recipes that require a lot of rise.
The microwave feature, which also has various pre-set capabilities, can reheat, defrost, cook, and warm food in a matter of minutes.
2. Cuisineart 3-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven
The ideal small microwave oven that won’t take up your entire kitchen is this 3-in-1 model.
It functions as a microwave for rapid heating, an air fryer, and a convection oven for larger pieces of food.
The microwave comes with 11 different power settings, an auto-cook feature, pre-set heating options, and a defrost mode that determines the amount of time needed to defrost an item based on its weight.
The size of this particular product is the only drawback we can think of, but that’s just us. Even though it just has a 0.6 cubic foot capacity, it is ideal for a single person or even a couple.
3. Galanz 3-in-1 Speedwave
Families will love this microwave air fryer!
It may be used as a convection oven, a microwave, and an air fryer, and it has a capacity of 1.2 cubic feet.
Additionally, it includes combi-speed cooking, which employs the rapid heating and browning of microwaves along with the airflow of a convection oven.
You may get a wonderful notion of what an air fryer microwave should perform from this combi-speed setting.
The appliance’s 360-degree rotating plate, which operates even when the convection option is selected, is another excellent feature. Additionally, it has an oven mode for baking and broiling.
Last but not least, it features a humidity sensor built in that will make sure your food is never overcooked or undercooked.
4. RCA Air Fryer Microwave
Another great appliance for families is this one.
With the convection oven option, it can easily reheat frozen items, air-fry some tasty chicken, and bake and roast.
This product’s simplicity in both design and use is what we admire about it. Its general appearance will lead you to believe that it is just a large microwave.
It boasts an extremely modern design, touch screen capabilities, and an integrated light to track the progress of your food.
Your life will be made more convenient because to its 5 built-in one-touch cooking options. Additionally, you can change the power level to suit your demands.
5. Sharp Microwave Oven with Convection Cooking
This enormous air fryer microwave can unquestionably take the place of your complete oven!
It naturally has all the capabilities a microwave has in addition to 10 power settings that may be adjusted to achieve the ideal result.
A sensor that calculates the precise length of time your food will need to cook or reheat is another excellent addition to this model. The power level is chosen, and the time is automatically established, based on the weight of the meal.
This glossy white stainless steel design includes very easy-to-clean glass doors and is made of scratch-resistant stainless steel.