Expert rating
Benefits
- 3 in 1 device
- Several predefined programs
- Grills and oven tray
- 25 liter cavity
The inconvenients
- Much slower than a standalone air fryer
- Large work surface space
- Limited guidance for programs
Our verdict
The Drew & Cole Microwave Fryer Combo Oven has the potential to offer many things: convection oven cooking, a grill function, air frying and of course, a quick microwave. waves. This, along with plenty of handy presets and accessories, gives it more flexibility than your average mic. However, you will need patience to get the most out of it: despite some advice, we had unanswered questions about its features and capabilities.
Unless you live in a cupboard, you’ll know that air frying is the cooking feature du jour. It’s no surprise that it appears as an additional feature on combination ovens and microwaves, giving you the opportunity to save valuable counter space.
That’s certainly the goal of the Drew & Cole Microwave Air Fryer Oven, because not only does it bake, grill, microwave, and air fry, but its convenient presets can combine a few of these methods for faster, crispier results. Plus, there are plenty of presets, such as defrost and reheat, that are ideal for busy lifestyles.
Design and build
- Operation of Buttons and Dials
- Large size: 28 x 49 x 38 cm
- Comes with kitchen accessories
Although it may have multiple functions, from the outside, the microwave air fryer oven looks like any other microwave. Finished in glossy black, it is rather large (H28 x W49 x D38 cm), taking up so much of an average work surface that there isn’t much space in front to put dishes. And even if it can come up against a wall at the back, you will have to take into account 20 cm on each side and 30 cm above. Once positioned it is best to leave it there as it is also heavy at 16.1kg.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Inside there is a glass turntable that is dishwasher safe. It comes with three accessories, although it’s not clear whether any of them are dishwasher safe: a perforated non-stick aluminum baking tray, as well as a short rack and a tall rack for elevate food to the grill element located on the roof of the 25L cavity.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
There is a second element in the back for convection cooking and the microwave section on the right. The controls are fairly simple considering the number of presets available: seven named buttons combined with a dial that can be used to select both food weight and modes.
Performance and Features
- Low power of the air fryer (1000W) means slow cooking
- Capacity 25L
- Range of presets
Air frying may be the most eye-catching feature of this microwave fryer oven, but that’s not what it excels at. The reason for this is, as became clear in testing, that the air frying power is lower than that of stand-alone air fryers, at just 1000W.
Compared to the potential power consumption of a mid-sized 5-6L air fryer, which is typically at least 1500-1700W, and the 1000W equivalent of an air fryer compact (around 2 to 3 L), heating a 25 L cavity seems to slow down energy consumption. process down.
We tested it using chopped raw potatoes, washed and dried then tossed in a small amount of oil, using the corresponding air frying program for fries/wedges. The perforated baking tray lent itself well to this function, even if the instructions did not suggest using it for this purpose.
It was unclear whether this program was for pre-cooked chips, and there was no indication of what temperature the food was cooked to, or the appropriate amount, although there was a preset time of 22 minutes. There was no option to add extra minutes during cooking.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
After the time was up, the potato was soft and pale, so we started the program again after turning the pieces. This produced better results: crispier pieces around the edge of the pile and browner pieces in the middle. However, a total run time of 44 minutes for one batch is much longer than a standalone air fryer (20-30 minutes). If you cook a lot in the fryer, this appliance will cost you time.
There is, however, a good range of nine air fry presets, which include steak, burgers, vegetables and fish/shrimp. However, unlike standalone air fryers, there is no suggested air fry temperature for each one – or in its manual air fry mode (adjustable in 5 minute increments) – which means it’s harder to convert your favorite oven recipes, and there are more tests and tests. adjust the cooking involved.
Other features have more power: It includes a 900W microwave and a 2,100W convection oven and grill. We tested the grill by cooking frozen hash browns on the large grill. There was no choice between high or low grill and cooking took longer than expected, 35 minutes using the combination setting without microwave.
This was more time than would normally take under our regular grill, and the hash browns lacked crunch. However, the grill worked best with grilled items, and we appreciated that minutes could be added while cooking.
If you cook a lot in the fryer, this appliance will cost you time
We had the most success with cooking chicken on an auto preset, there are 10 including reheat, potatoes, cake, soup and pizza. These can vary by weight, but they are fairly narrowly defined: Chicken offers four weights of 500g, 750g, 1kg and 1.2kg, with little information in the instructions about how long each should last. program or the type of cooking it involves.
For example, the chicken program used microwave and convection heat, while reheat alone was microwave only. Since metal accessories can only be used on non-microwave programs, this type of information is important. The chicken thighs came out with bubbling, golden skin, and the meat was cooked to the seam.
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Rachel Ogden / Foundry
Pricing and availability
This microwave air fryer combo is available in the UK from Amazon, where it’s currently priced at £179.99, which is £20 off its RRP. Still, that puts it around the same price as many Ninja air fryers – which are widely considered among the best available. For our top picks from this brand, take a look at our roundup of the best Ninja air fryers and cookers.
But if counter space is limited and you want an air fryer and microwave combo, this Drew & Cole appliance might be worth it – it’s not too expensive for its excellent feature set. If you think an air fryer oven combo would serve you better, you can check out our best air fryer oven recommendations.
Should you buy the Drew & Cole’s Microwave Fryer Combination Oven?
If you’re primarily looking for air frying, the Drew & Cole Microwave Fryer Combination Oven probably isn’t the right fit: it costs more than mid-sized standalone air fryers and takes up more time. time to get the job done.
It works best as a combination microwave oven, with the microwave reducing cooking time while the ventilated hot air crisps foods. You might have some disappointing results until you get familiar with its processes, but if you’re willing to stick with it, this 3-in-1 could be a handy dinnertime helper.
Not the air fryer for you? Take a look at our top picks of the best air fryers we’ve tested.
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