The NuWave Oven is a countertop convection oven that uses triple combo cooking power to cook foods quickly and evenly. With its unique airflow design and controlled temperature, many people find the NuWave Oven to be an excellent appliance for baking a variety of foods.
What is the NuWave Oven?
The NuWave Oven is a compact, lightweight countertop oven that uses convection, infrared, and conduction heat to cook foods faster than a traditional oven. It has a steel exterior and 3 cooking racks to prepare an entire meal at once. The NuWave Oven doesn’t use microwaves but instead relies on conduction from the heating element, infrared energy from the rings around the element, and convection heat from the fan to circulate hot air throughout the chamber. This allows it to cook foods more like a conventional oven.
Some key features of the NuWave Oven include:
- Preheat time of only 5 minutes
- Temperatures up to 350°F
- Triple combo cooking power
- Reversible cooking racks
- Digital controls with preset programs
- Extender ring for extra interior height
- Tempered glass door
- Stainless steel exterior and interior
The NuWave Oven is known for cooking foods very quickly compared to a full-size oven. Its efficient airflow design allows hot air to circulate around food for fast, even results. Many users praise it for frozen foods, reheating leftovers, roasts, and more.
Can You Bake in the NuWave Oven?
Yes, the NuWave Oven can be used for baking a variety of foods! Its convection heat and precise temperature control allow it to bake foods very nicely. Here are some of the foods you can bake in a NuWave Oven:
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Pies
- Breads
- Muffins
- Casseroles
- Pizza
- Chicken
- Fish
- Quiches
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Frozen foods
The NuWave Oven may cook baked goods slightly faster than a traditional oven. You’ll need to keep an eye on items and test them for doneness. But it can produce delicious cakes, cookies, pies, casseroles, roasted vegetables, and much more.
Tips for Baking in the NuWave Oven
Here are some helpful tips to get great baking results in your NuWave Oven:
- Preheat the oven fully before baking.
- Use oven-safe cookware like metal pans or ceramic.
- Use the extender ring for extra headroom.
- Adjust cook times and test for doneness.
- Rotate pans and racks midway through cooking.
- Cover dishes to retain moisture if needed.
- Reduce oven temperature by 25°F from recipe.
- Watch closely near end of cook time.
Baking Tips by Food
Here are some NuWave baking tips for specific foods:
Cakes
- Use round or square pans.
- Grease pans well.
- Bake single layer cakes.
- Reduce oven temp by 25°F.
- Watch closely at minimum cook time.
Cookies
- Use silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- Shape dough into thinner cookies.
- Bake one sheet at a time.
- Expect quicker bake times.
Pies
- Use glass or metal pie pans.
- Protect crust edges as needed.
- Check often near end of bake time.
- Let cool before slicing.
Breads
- Use metal loaf pans.
- Spray pans well before use.
- Check for doneness early.
- Cool completely before slicing.
FAQs About Baking in the NuWave Oven
What pans can be used in the NuWave Oven?
Metal baking pans, glass baking dishes, ceramic pans, and silicone molds all work well in the NuWave Oven. Avoid plastics as they can melt from the heat. Be sure pans fit within the interior dimensions.
How do you prevent the bottoms of baked goods from browning too much?
If baked good bottoms are overbrowning, try these fixes:
- Place food on higher racks.
- Use a double layer of foil on the rack below the pan.
- Reduce oven temperature 25°F.
- Bake for the minimum recommended time.
Should the NuWave Oven be preheated for baking?
Yes, fully preheating the NuWave Oven is recommended for best baking results. This allows the oven to reach the proper temperature before baking begins. Preheat for at least 5 minutes before putting food in.
How is baking done without oven vents in the NuWave Oven?
The NuWave Oven relies on an internal fan to circulate hot air around food rather than traditional lower and upper heating elements. This convection heat browns and cooks food evenly from all sides without the need for vents.
Can you bake a cake and cookies at the same time?
Yes, you can bake small batch cookies or rolls while also baking a cake in the NuWave Oven. Use different rack heights and rotate positions midway through. Monitor both closely and remove each when fully cooked.
Tips for NuWave Oven Baking Success
Here are some top tips for excellent results when baking in the NuWave Oven:
- Get to know your oven’s hot and cool spots for ideal food placement.
- Reduce recipe temperatures by 25°F as a general rule.
- Use metal pans and ceramic dishes for even heating.
- Avoid opening the oven door frequently.
- Preheat fully before baking.
- Start checking early for doneness.
- Rotate your pans and racks mid-bake.
- Let baked goods cool properly before removing from pans.
- Check manufacturer guidance for any recipe adjustments.
- Have an oven thermometer to check accuracy.
Common Baking Problems and Solutions
Here are some common issues that can occur when baking in the NuWave Oven and how to troubleshoot them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Overbrowning on bottom | Use foil on lower rack, elevate pan, reduce temp |
| Uneven browning | Rotate food midway, move to different rack height |
| Overcooking | Reduce temp, check early, use minimum cook times |
| Undercooking | Increase temp, use max cook times, check internal temps |
| Dryness or crumbly texture | Use tenting foil, reduce temp, check often |
Conclusion
With its fast, convection heat and precise temperature control, the NuWave Oven allows you to bake a variety of delicious foods like cakes, cookies, breads, pies and more. While you may need to adjust times, racks, pans and temperatures from your standard recipes, the results can be fantastic. With a few trials, you’ll get the hang of baking your favorite goodies in your NuWave Oven. Enjoy the speed and convenience of baking with countertop convection!