16 best mini-ovens - ideal options for a summer house or small kitchen

Types of Convection Ovens

Household convection ovens have a number of important technical characteristics that are also characteristic of professional equipment, but differ in size, performance and some options.

• Steam function

Maintaining humidity in the oven ensures cooking without drying out. Ovens are available with or without a steam function. As a rule, water is injected through a special valve onto the heating elements and instantly evaporates, increasing the humidity level (injection method). Depending on the model, water can be supplied manually or automatically, and the stove itself can be connected to the water supply directly or draw water through a pump.

• Power type

Electricity or gas can be used. A more common power source is electricity. Household stoves are designed to be connected to a 220 V network. Gas models are large, require increased fire safety measures, but are more profitable to operate. Relevant for the private sector connected to the gas supply system. The rating of convection ovens for the home in 2021 includes a gas model made in Italy.

• Control

Based on the type of control, furnaces are divided into mechanical, combined and electronic. The former are practically never found in modern models. The latter are easy to operate, reliable, low-functional, require control using manual switches, but the cooking processes are automated. Still others ensure minimal human participation, adherence to precise cooking parameters, and are dependent on an uninterrupted power supply.

• Installation

The type of installation can be floor-standing (on a special stand) or tabletop (on legs). Household models are usually mounted on a table.

The best inexpensive mini ovens

GFgril GFO-26BR

Rating: 4.7

The leader among budget appliances is a mini-oven, which was recently introduced to the market, but has already received a lot of praise from customers. Its stylish design is combined with functionality and practicality. The internal volume of the chamber is 26 l. You can cook several dishes in it at the same time. The durable non-stick coating protects the walls from scratches and chips and makes hygienic cleaning easier. Modes include top, bottom, combined heat, grill, convection and rotisserie.

The lighting creates comfortable conditions for the housewife while cooking. The time can be set up to 1 hour in 5 minute increments. At the end, a sound is heard and an auto shutdown occurs. The case is made of stainless steel with black powder coating. Bright red details make the stove original. Wide rubberized feet provide stability on any surface. The clearance between the oven and the table makes it easy to keep the kitchen space clean.

The control panel with mechanical controls is equipped with graphical help images. Includes: baking tray, wire rack, spit. Buyers who chose the stove based on its beautiful design were satisfied with its characteristics. Many note that it is superior in quality to some more expensive models.

Advantages

• 7 product processing modes;
• reinforced protective coating for the camera;
• exclusive, memorable design;
• stability on glossy coatings;
• thermal insulation housing.

Flaws

• not identified.

CENTEK CT-1530-36 Convection

Rating: 4.6

In second place is a mini-oven, which will help even inexperienced housewives prepare delicious food. Chamber capacity – 36 liters. In addition to upper, lower and combined heating, there is a convection mode, which significantly expands the capabilities of the device. The settings are stepped using round knobs. Temperature can be set from 100° to 320°, time – up to 90 minutes. Heating occurs quickly. When connected to the network, the indicator light comes on.

The end of cooking is accompanied by a sound signal. Automatic shutdown allows the housewife to minimize control and save energy. All components are of high quality. The baking sheet is covered with a non-stick protective layer. The grille is made of stainless steel. For convenience and safety of moving prepared dishes, a tray holder is provided. The folding door is equipped with a comfortable handle that does not heat up during operation of the oven.

According to customer reviews, there are no complaints about the device. It cooks according to the set settings. The dishes are prepared according to the recipe without external defects and with the preservation of taste and aromatic properties. The convection oven distributes heat evenly and the food is completely cooked.

Advantages

• reinforced heating elements;
• 5 modes + air convection;
• chrome switches;
• Ready sound signal;
• auto shutdown at the end of the process.

Flaws

• not identified.

How to choose the perfect mini oven

What, first of all, should you pay attention to in a store when you are not sure about a purchase? Experts asked this question and identified the main parameters, without knowledge of which it is difficult to purchase a truly high-quality and useful item.

1. Chamber volume.
   Everything is simple here. The larger the chamber, the more portions you can cook in it at one time. Miniature devices up to 20 l are suitable for heating and preparing simple food for 2 people. For a standard family, choose models in the range of 20-30 liters. Furnaces with a chamber volume of more than 30 liters are a more functional device with expanded capabilities.
2. Power
   . The heating speed of the oven and the cooking time depend on this parameter. The power of household appliances varies from 650 to 2500 W. There are models with higher rates. But they cost an order of magnitude higher, and energy costs increase significantly.
3. Maximum heating temperature.
   The indicator can be different: from 200 to 350°. The higher it is, the more capabilities the oven has. Standard parameters for cooking most hot dishes are 200-250°. If the housewife regularly uses products that require, for example, heating up to 280°, then it is necessary to clarify the temperature capabilities of the model you like.
4. Modes
   . The more modes, the more varied the family diet will be. In addition to the main heat treatment programs, there are others: pizza, baking, frying, grilling, maintaining temperature, steamer, bread maker. Many people need the ability to defrost food, and manufacturers provide this option in their devices.
5. Control type.
   The mechanics are simple and understandable for beginners. Electronic control allows you to set more precise settings. Many devices have integrated programs. The presence of a display makes it easier to manage and monitor the process.
6. Equipment
   . Ovens are equipped with grates and baking trays. Additionally, the set may include a spit, a tray for collecting crumbs and oil, baking containers, a pizza stone, and skewers.
7. Additional options.
   The most multifunctional model is equipped with burners, and then the oven turns into a mini-stove. There are also appliances with a built-in coffee maker. In this case, the time spent on cooking is reduced several times.

We present a review of 20 models that were considered the best by both consumers and experts.

Features of a convection oven

What a convection oven can bake:

• quickly heat the chambers to operating temperature;
• bake until golden brown or stew meat (hams, stews, minced meat), fish (whole or steaks), poultry (whole carcasses or sliced), vegetables;
• bake a wide range of flour products from various types of dough;
• defrost foods without losing their beneficial properties;
• gently reheat already prepared food;
• make dried fruits, dry berries and vegetables;
• reduce cooking time by 25-30% compared to a conventional oven, which means saving energy consumption.

You can fry and bake in convection equipment without adding any oil or fat at all. Dishes are prepared quickly and without carcinogens, remain juicy inside, and have a crispy crust. For connoisseurs of healthy eating, this factor is one of the decisive ones when choosing kitchen appliances.

A convection unit will save space, as it occupies approximately the same area as a conventional stove and oven. The design of the oven provides several tiers on which you can simultaneously cook different dishes without fear of mixing their aromas or changing their taste. The only condition is the same cooking temperature for all these dishes.

You cannot cook soup or porridge using this technique, but a convection oven can handle other dishes perfectly. Functionally, the unit replaces an oven, frying pan, and microwave. And it doesn’t just replace, but greatly simplifies the cooking process. For example, when frying meat in a convection oven, there is no need to turn it over or check for doneness as in a frying pan. Defrosting or heating foods in delicate mode will not deprive them of their beneficial properties, as in the microwave.

For the production of various types of baked goods, convection equipment takes a leading position in professional kitchens, so its use in domestic conditions is all the more justified. In the convection mode, products from puff pastry, yeast dough, butter dough, cake layers, muffins, pies, pizza, lasagna and much more are baked. In this case, the blanks are placed on several tiers at once and are baked equally well. A conventional oven does not have this function: on the baking sheets located closer to the heating elements, the baked goods will burn, and on the baking sheets in the middle they will remain raw.