This versatile oven truly excels at crafting delightful pizza, crispy fries, and perfectly browned toast. However, a few design quirks should be noted.
Pros
User-friendly operation
Exceptional toast function
Creates delicious pizza
Perfectly fries food
Numerous cooking options
Clear display
Cons
Confusing instruction manual
Non-dishwasher safe components
Magnetic auto-eject rack can be inconvenient
High price when not discounted
This kitchen essential saves you from using the traditional oven for reheating or quickly preparing meals. It replaces many appliances, like toasters and air fryers, keeping counters tidy.
Breville's Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven claims to handle various cooking tasks, including air frying, baking, broiling, and toasting. It's no surprise this oven often draws attention during sales events, with eager home cooks looking for discounts.
But is it really worth the investment? Our expert evaluator tested it in the kitchen and found that while it's great for basic tasks, there are some quirks to be aware of.
Our reviewer spent a day in the kitchen with it. Having learned the ropes at a well-known testing institute, he has experience in assessing kitchen appliances.
Unboxing Experience
Opening the box was a bit challenging, which is typical for appliances of this size. Weighing in at 35lbs, it's best kept on the countertop. You may need assistance if you're mobility-challenged. The packaging wasn't environmentally friendly, arriving wrapped in plastic and polystyrene.
Specifications for Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Model Number: BOV860BSS1BUS1
- Capacity: 0.8 cu ft, 6-slice toaster, fits a 13'' pizza, can roast a whole chicken, or accommodate a 9-cup muffin tray
- Cooking Modes: Air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, toast
- Temperature Range: 80°F-450°F
- Size: 18.9" x 15.9" x 10.9"
- Weight: 35lbs
- Power: 1800 watts
- Cleaning: All accessories require hand washing
- Included Accessories: Heavy-duty wire rack, baking tray, 12-inch pizza pan, air fry/dehydrate basket, crumb tray
- Warranty: Two years; options for three years at $36.99 or four years at $45.99
It comes with an instruction manual and some recipes. Before first use, you'll need to hand-wash all parts and run the pizza function for a quick clean. This takes about 20 minutes, which could be frustrating if you want to use it immediately.
Note that in some regions, this oven may be labeled 'Sage'. The only differences are the brand name and plug type, with some settings named differently.
Using it is straightforward — just turn the dials to select your cooking function. Options include grill, toast, bake, roast, pizza, reheat, warm, air fry, and slow cook. You can adjust the temperature in 5-degree increments, choosing between °C and °F.
A bright light illuminates your food, and you can switch between convection modes for optimal cooking. There's also a defrost button, allowing for precise cooking adjustments.
However, I encountered a downside with the magnetic auto-eject rack. When it functions correctly, it's handy, pulling the rack out as the door opens. But if not careful, it can stick, making it tricky to retrieve hot food safely.
While I relied on the instructions, it was tedious to remember the different grill heights needed for each setting.
Cooking Performance
Test 1: Toasting
Toasting test in action
As a toaster oven, it can toast up to six slices at once, even from frozen. This is perfect for busy families. I tested it with six slices of frozen granary bread to see how well it could toast and defrost simultaneously.
I appreciated the precision of selecting the number of slices and toasting darkness. I aimed for a level 5, which promised a 'medium' toast. After 5 minutes and 30 seconds, I achieved six slices of nearly perfect toast. The undersides had slight grill marks, while the tops were evenly golden brown. There was minor burning on the back crusts, but overall, it performed well.
Final result of the toast test
The toast tasted great with raspberry jam — a delightful breakfast treat! While level 5 was slightly overdone for my taste, the feature allows for precise toasting. The only drawback was some misting on the display screen, which made it a bit blurry but still readable.
Test 2: Baking
To save time, I used frozen cookie dough for baking. The preset starts at 160°C, but I followed the packaging instructions, baking at 190°C/370°F for 12 minutes. I used cookies of varying thickness to see how it handled.
The instructions were somewhat unclear, suggesting the wire rack, which I doubted. Some cookies fell through and burned, but those I salvaged were nearly perfect. It's a convenient option for homemade cookies, but be cautious of the unclear manual.
Test 3: Pizza
For a late-night snack test, I used a store-bought pizza. The box recommended 220°C for 10-12 minutes, while the oven preset was 210°C for 15 minutes. I preheated for about 5 minutes.
This test highlighted the magnetic auto-eject rack's issues. If not careful, the rack can stick, causing the hot pizza to slide around. However, the pizza turned out great; it was ready in just 10 minutes, though thicker pizzas might take the full 15 minutes.
All ingredients cooked thoroughly, delivering a satisfying result.
Test 4: Air Frying Fries
I air-fried thick, English-style fries for 20-25 minutes at 410°F. Preheating took about 5 minutes. The fries emerged nearly perfect, crispy outside and fluffy inside. Timing was spot on. My only minor critique is that fries nearest the heating element were slightly overcooked, but not excessively.
Test 5: Air Frying Vegetables
I also tried air frying frozen vegetables for 20 minutes at 390°F. After preheating for 5 minutes, I suspected they wouldn't need the full time, and I was correct. They were thoroughly cooked, though the eggplant was almost dehydrated. Zucchini turned out crispy outside and juicy inside, while peppers verged on burnt.
Test 6: Air Frying Bacon
Bacon prepared for air frying test
For my final test, I cooked bacon at 390°F for 9 minutes. Our Head of Reviews noted that while it cooked evenly, it could have been crispier.
Cleaning
All removable parts are easy to clean, but they do get greasy quickly. While it would be nice if they were dishwasher safe, this isn't typical for toaster ovens.
A more significant challenge is cleaning the heating elements. Any food residue can burn on, creating a mess that's tough to remove.
How It Compares
Toaster ovens can vary widely in functions and capabilities. This model stands out as a complete machine, covering essential tasks. However, it lacks smart features found in some newer models. For instance, some ovens are app-controlled or can prepare entire meals at once.
While the Breville may not compete with smart models, it excels in versatility with ten preset functions for all basic needs. If you seek a reliable oven for quick meals or snacks, this model is a fantastic choice.
Should You Buy the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven?
Absolutely! If you're looking for a reliable toaster oven that handles the basics well, this one is worth considering. It's ideal for fast roasting, baking, toasting, and air frying, combining multiple appliances into one.
For small spaces without an oven, this appliance is a great alternative, perfect for dorms or first-time college students.
When hunting for a straightforward appliance that meets most cooking needs, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven is an excellent pick.
