Like its cousins the microwave and the air fryer, the benchtop oven (also known by a slew of other names including countertop oven, toaster oven, compact oven, portable oven, and in some cases convection oven) packs a mighty punch for its size.
Unlike a conventional oven, the benchtop oven is designed to sit – you guessed it – on top of the bench, and is typically used for smaller cooking tasks such as toasting, reheating, broiling and small baking ventures.
Usually powered by convection, wherein a fan circulates hot air for more even cooking and improved browning, a benchtop oven significantly reduces cooking time and can therefore be more energy-efficient – making it an extremely versatile and valuable addition to the kitchen counter.
5 best convection and compact ovens to shop in Australia
Below, we round up five top-rated convection and benchtop ovens currently on the Aussie market that’ll take the sweat out of dinner prep.
Breville the Smart Oven in brushed stainless steel, $519, Myer
Bake the perfetto pizza and cookies or roast the most succulent meat in the Breville Smart Oven that reduces cooking time up to 30 per cent when used on the convection setting.
Key features:
- Element iQ with five independent quartz heating elements to move power where it’s needed
- 10 pre-set cooking functions
- Toasts six slices at once
- Slow cook function
- Non-stick cavity coating for easy cleaning
- 2400W
- Oven rack, enamel bake pan, enamel grill rack and non-stick pizza pan included
“The heat distribution is even and very versatile as you can toast, grill, roast, reheat warm and even slow cook!” wrote a five-star reviewer, “Size is good for toast or pastries but can also fit whole chicken and big enough for roast beef”.
Cuisinart stainless steel combo steam and convection oven, $449, Myer
A convection oven with full steaming capabilities, this Cuisinart benchtop oven can cut cooking time as much as 40 per cent when using steam.
Key features:
- Nine single and combination functions
- Specialised bread proofing technology
- 1.4L removable water reservoir
- Includes wire rack, baking pan, broiling rack, crumb tray and drip tray
“Excellent and versatile, compact multi-oven,” wrote a five-star reviewer, “also a great-looking device with useful self-cleaning. Have not used the main regular oven since purchase of the Cuisinart”.
Sunbeam convection bake & grill compact oven, $119, The Good Guys
Toast, bake and grill your dishes with this straightforward compact oven from Sunbeam.
Key features:
- Settings and modes include warm, grill, bake, toast, turbo convection, pizza, roast and reheat
- 60-minute timer
- Includes pizza tray, baking pan, reversible wire rack, crumb tray
- 1400W
- One-year warranty
“Great for a single guy (or girl) in a small kitchen,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars, “will do small roasts, pizzas or just about anything”.
Breville The Air Fry compact oven, $629, Myer
A hybrid air fryer-compact oven, this Breville model uses higher temperatures with super convection to deliver golden, crispy goodies with little to no oil.
Key features:
- 10 cooking functions including air fry and slow cook
- Two-speed super convection fan
- Element IQ System
- Interior light
- Toasts six slices at once
- Includes air fry basket, roasting pan and pizza pan
- 2400W
- Two-year warranty
“We love our Breville SmartOven Air Fryer. We can handle almost all of our meals with it – from air frying up some French fries, making toast in the morning, reheating food, and preparing casseroles. It handles it all,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
Ninja Foodi XL Pro oven, $449, The Good Guys
Whipping up small meals and hot snacks is made easy with a toaster oven like this Ninja model that offers a digital display handle and a 90-second preheat time.
Key features:
- 10 functions including air fry, air roast and dehydrate
- True surround convection
- 2400W
- One-year warranty
- Includes accessories
“Anything from pizza to a whole chicken has turned out perfectly and fast. Highly recommend this product,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
Can a countertop oven replace a regular oven?
Depending on your cooking habits and kitchen space, a benchtop oven could certainly substitute for a conventional oven. While a countertop oven is compact and handy for smaller tasks, it does have limited capacity compared to a regular-sized oven. However, if you cook mostly smaller meals or have limited space, a countertop oven is an excellent option. It’s just really a decision of preference.
Does a countertop oven need a special outlet?
The answer is no, it does not! This is what sets a benchtop oven apart from a regular wall-oven or standalone oven. Benchtop or countertop ovens use a standard outlet with an cord and plug. This means transportation and mobility of your oven is very simple! Better yet, no installation is required, meaning that an electrician doesn’t need to come around to install.
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