Westinghouse oven with air fryer functionality – is it worth the investment?
Westinghouse, a well-known brand in the appliance industry, has recently released a line of ovens equipped with an AirFry mode. In a series of tests, these ovens have shown promising results, particularly in cooking frozen chips and roast pork.
The Westinghouse WVEP6716DD, a 60cm wall oven, performed exceptionally well in AirFry mode, earning an overall performance score of 85%. It also received an impressive CHOICE Expert Rating of 83%. The WVEP6716DD produced excellent results for cooking chicken wings and crumbed chicken. However, it was found that the oven took significantly longer to roast pork compared to an average air fryer.
Another model, the Westinghouse WVE6516SD wall oven, also received a CHOICE Expert Rating of 83% and an Air fryer score of 75%. While it didn't perform as well as the WVEP6716DD, it still offered good results for most foods.
The AirFry mode in Westinghouse ovens operates by using the top heating element in combination with the fan-forced mode. This setup is similar to using the fan-grill setting on a regular oven. The capacity of the ovens with AirFry mode varies depending on the size, with some having a similar capacity to larger air fryer models.
In terms of electricity consumption, AirFry mode is comparable to an average benchtop air fryer. It's worth noting that AirFry mode can get a little hotter than most benchtop air fryers, with the freestanding oven reaching a maximum temperature of 230°C.
The Westinghouse WFEP9757DD, a large 90cm freestanding oven, has a larger capacity for air-frying. It received an overall performance score of 81% in AirFry mode, which is only considered OK.
One notable feature of the Westinghouse AirFryer is the mesh basket design, which claims to remove the need to turn food. However, during testing, it was found that this wasn't the case. Additionally, the controls of the Westinghouse WVEP6716DD oven got hot when using the AirFry mode.
Pricing for these Westinghouse ovens varies. The Westinghouse WVEP6716DD is priced at $1599, while the Westinghouse WVE6516SD is priced at $1199.
In conclusion, Westinghouse ovens with AirFry mode offer a convenient and energy-efficient way to cook a variety of foods. While they may not outperform traditional air fryers in every aspect, they provide a versatile cooking option for those looking to streamline their kitchen appliances.
