Smeg has just launched a countertop hot air oven that has all the retro charm you'd expect from the Italian appliance brand. But while the styling is classic '50s, its smart technology is some of the most advanced we've seen. The new Smeg countertop hot air oven with steam offers all the benefits of multi-functional cooking, with enough functions to leave your toaster oven, air fryer and even your oven itself out of commission.
While it offers 10 cooking functions, meaning you can banish other bulky cooking appliances from your countertop, it comes with a hefty price tag of $999. It’s definitely not a product you’d buy without giving it serious thought. We’re currently testing the Smeg Countertop Air Fryer with Steam and will report back on its overall performance, features, and ease of use.
At first glance, this is a well-designed countertop oven that ditches gimmicks in favor of genuinely useful cooking settings that will expand your cooking repertoire. Our favorite features include the three steam cooking settings and the My Smeg Assistant digital platform, which lets you unlock exclusive recipes and a host of tips and tricks via QR codes.
Multifunctional functions
The launch of the Smeg countertop hot air oven with steam is part of a growing trend towards offering multifunctional appliances. These products are not necessarily intended for use only in small spaces, but similar products, such as The perfect Power P of our placeNoare perfect for small apartments and dorm rooms.
But unlike the Perfect PowerPot, what's exceptional about the Smeg countertop oven is its 30.7-quart (30-litre) capacity, which gives you plenty of space to cook for a small family or friends. And with 10 cooking functions, it's much more powerful.
But while it's designed to be more compact, Smeg's air fryer oven is definitely not a budget buy. This countertop oven sells for $999 at Crate & Barrel, compared to Our Place's Wonder Oven, a 6-in-1 air fryer and countertop oven with steam infusion, which sells for $195 at Amazon.
It’s an investment, but the version comes with Smeg’s Italian design credentials. That means that as well as enjoying all the benefits of one of the best air fryers, with added features, your kitchen will be adorned with the iconic retro design we all associate with Smeg. Rather than trying to hide an unattractive appliance on your worktop, you’ll make it a focal point.
What is included?
The oven comes with an enamelled baking tray for traditional cooking, a perforated baking tray for steaming or air-frying and a grill rack which serves as a support for the oven containers.
Steam functions
What sets this appliance apart is that of the 10 cooking functions to choose from, three are dedicated to steam cooking. And while having a steam function in a countertop oven isn’t unusual, having three modes is, giving you the flexibility to steam a range of foods in the most appropriate way. In addition to offering bake, convection, bottom-base cook, grill, air fry, reheat, and defrost, the additional steam functions allow you to retain nutrients and moisture when cooking. And with three to choose from, there’s a mode that’s perfect for whatever you want to cook.
Pure steam allows you to use 100% steam to cook rice, vegetables, curries and stews for healthy and nutritious results. Convection steam is perfect for roasting meats with a caramelized exterior. Grill with steam is ideal for cooking pork chops and sausages, caramelizing the exterior while keeping the meat succulent and tender.
The steam tank has a capacity of 0.85 pints (0.8 litres) with a descaling function to ensure the appliance is not hampered by limescale.
Recipe Presets and Inspirations
Not sure what to cook? There are 33 built-in recipes available, including a range of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, desserts, bread and pizza. Simply enter the weight of what's in the oven and the time and temperature are automatically set. This means you can focus on other things, as you don't have to constantly monitor the food as it cooks.
The preset mode can be cancelled using the My Smeg Assistant. Here you can scan a QR code to access a collection of recipes, with additional tips on how to get the most out of your appliance and maintain it at its best.