Dwelling in Florida means I’m at all times in search of excuses to not activate my full-size oven. Between the warmth, the lengthy preheat occasions and the best way it immediately makes the kitchen really feel 10 levels hotter, I normally keep away from it until I completely must. That is why countertop ovens have slowly turn into my go-to, despite the fact that I will be trustworthy… loads of good ovens promise the world and sometimes fall flat.
However the iQ MiniOven is completely different. It is at present on sale, and extra importantly, I’ve found it really works the best way a sensible oven ought to. No gimmicks, no frustration and no questioning why I paid further for options I by no means use.
A sensible oven that does not overcomplicate issues
The iQ MiniOven manages to hit a candy spot between highly effective and sensible. It gives 11 completely different cooking modes, together with baking, roasting, air frying, broiling, dehydrating, gradual cooking, reheating and even proofing dough — one thing I’ve discovered myself utilizing lots as I am decided to nail down a sourdough recipe in 2026. It may attain temperatures as much as 500 levels and makes use of a high-powered inner motor to maintain airflow constant, which makes an actual distinction while you need crispy outcomes with out babysitting your meals.
Regardless of being compact sufficient for the counter, the inside is surprisingly roomy. It may match a 13-inch pizza or a normal 9 by 13 baking pan, which is greater than sufficient for weeknight dinners or small batch cooking.
The design is nice, too. It is glossy and trendy, whereas the touchscreen is shiny and responsive. The inside mild really lets me see what is going on on inside (one thing my earlier toaster oven did not do) and the soft-close door feels extra premium than I anticipated.
It additionally connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and works with the Chef iQ app. And in contrast to some good home equipment, the app is genuinely helpful. I can monitor cooking progress, get guided cooking assist and modify settings with out hovering within the kitchen. On scorching days, that alone looks like a win.
Why the worth is smart long run
At full value, the iQ MiniOven sits firmly in funding territory. Even with the present sale bringing it right down to $499.99 from $599.99, this isn’t an impulse purchase. However good ovens are the type of equipment that may quietly pay for themselves over time.
When one machine replaces a toaster oven, an air fryer and a superb chunk of your full-size oven use, the worth provides up shortly. You save time, vitality and loads of pointless warmth. For me, it has turn into the default choice for on a regular basis meals, which suggests my massive oven stays off much more typically than it used to.
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The underside line
If you happen to reside someplace scorching, hate turning in your massive oven and need a countertop choice that really delivers, the iQ MiniOven is value a critical look, particularly whereas it is on sale.
It is quick, versatile and genuinely helpful, which is greater than I can say for lots of good ovens on the market. That is a kind of kitchen upgrades that earns its spot on the counter after which retains incomes it each time you cook dinner.