There are countless toaster ovens and countertop convection ovens on the market that claim to do it all. Whether it’s cooking cakes to perfection, crisping up chicken wings, or putting out consistently crispy French fries, there’s no shortage of claims to fame. Nevertheless, you’ll find few that live up to expectations. Let alone exceed them with every use.
Precisely where the Breville BOV900BSS enters the conversation - considered by many a home cook and professional chef to be the ultimate smart oven. The Breville BOV900BSS is a convection air fry smart oven with more smart features and functionalities than a dozen other air fryers and toaster oven models combined.
In this condensed smart oven air review, I’ll be going over just a handful of the most useful features the Breville BOV900BSS brings to the table. For the simple reason that to go through each and every one of them would take hours - it really is THAT versatile.
Breville BOV900BSS Review (Convection & Air Fry Smart Oven)
The Breville BOV900BSS is one of the most capable and powerful precision cooking devices of its kind on the market. It has the kind of raw power and reliability that rivals even the most advanced convection ovens of conventional size.
But what’s even more remarkable about this Breville air fryer and convection oven is the way in which it has already been around for quite some time.
Nevertheless, it is still wiping the floor with basic toaster ovens and it's giving the competition in its price range a serious run for its money.
Long story short - this compact toaster oven is capable of replacing several other kitchen appliances, including your convection oven, dehydrator, and air fryer.
From a technical standpoint, the Breville BOV900BSS gets the job done by combining 6 quartz elements with IQ technology and a powerful convection fan. Cooking cycle times are reduced by as much as 30%, and even temperature distribution is guaranteed. From slow cooking to flash air frying to dehydrating fruits and vegetables, it simplifies the cooking process like nothing else out there.
Precision cooking at the touch of a button, irrespective of what you plan on preparing.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Design
The folks at Breville have taken a minimalist approach with the design of their countertop oven, and it's a welcomed feature. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer boasts a sleek and sophisticated appearance that complements both traditional and modern kitchens.
It has a brushed stainless steel exterior and features a large LCD display, under which you will find several dials to control its various features. One standout feature is the color-changing display that provides visual feedback on the oven's operation.
Additionally, the ability to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit adds a touch of convenience. While it may not be a "Smart" oven in the sense of integrating with a smart home system, this oven is undeniably solid and exceptional.
It has proven itself capable of handling entire meals, excelling in air frying, toasting bread and bagels, reheating food, and even baking cookies in just five minutes with the convection setting.
The oven's auto-eject middle rack is a handy feature that allows you to inspect the progress of your cooking without fully pulling out the rack. However, keep in mind that heavy items may prevent the rack from fully ejecting.
Overall, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer delivers impressive performance and convenient features for a reliable cooking experience.
Super Convection Technology
Arguably the most popular feature of the Breville smart oven air fryer, the twin-speed convection fan, being able to adjust the speed of the convection fan provides much greater control when preparing meals and can seriously reduce the overall cooking time.
This feature sets the Breville BOV900BSS smart air fryer apart from comparable devices. While it excels at air frying, it does not fully replace a dedicated air fryer, limiting its use for certain foods that may drip.
However, the oven's advanced technology and preset options make it easy to navigate through the elaborate selection screen and numerous dials and buttons.
With just a few minutes of experimentation, users can quickly grasp the basics and adjust heating temperatures and cooking times as needed, resulting in great cooking performance.
Precise Cooking and Element IQ
The combination of Smart Element IQ technology and 6 quartz heating elements results in exceptional heat distribution, optimal cooking, and a temperature range that rivals any conventional convection oven. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer boasts various functions, all overseen by its precision heating technology, ensuring that food is never undercooked, overcooked, or unevenly cooked.
Although the product is impressive, there are a few minor areas that could be improved, such as toasting, pre-heating, and cleaning. The bars at the bottom, which protect the heating elements, are difficult to clean, causing drips to turn brown over time. Despite this, I would still consider purchasing it again.
When I upgraded to this model to gain extra trays and access to the air fryer mode, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is compared to my old model. I'm unsure if the manufacturer added a second speed to the fan that operates silently, or if this model simply functions differently than its predecessor. Nevertheless, I'm currently exploring all the different options available and enjoying the versatility it offers.
Air Fry and Dehydrate
You'll probably find yourself using the air frying function on a regular basis, which uses hot air to 'fry' foods with minimal oil. Air frying is an excellent method for preparing healthier meals without compromising the flavor and crunch of your beloved deep-fried dishes.
Additionally, the dehydrated and air fryer settings can effectively remove moisture from a wide range of foods, allowing for indefinite preservation.
With the capacity to load up to four trays of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, or meats, the intelligent mesh basket rack ensures uniform dehydration.
I decided to put the air frying function to the test by trying Nathans's French fries and Orida Tater Tots. The French fries turned out remarkably well—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
However, they lacked the distinct "fried" flavor I was expecting. At best, the results were marginally better than baking them in the oven. The appliance itself is sizable but visually appealing, blending seamlessly with your kitchen. While it may take a bit longer to toast due to its size, its overall performance more than compensates for the minor inconvenience.
Cooking Functions
Getting to grips with the 13 cooking functions of this oven may initially seem challenging, but it quickly becomes second nature. The array of options available, such as Toast Mode, Roast, Warm, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Proof, Air fry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cooking, and Dehydrate, are self-explanatory. All you need to do is select the function that suits your cooking needs, and the intelligent technology of the cooker takes care of the rest.
To put the oven's capabilities to the ultimate test, I recently roasted a large 6-pound chicken. The outcome was superb, with the chicken turning out perfectly cooked and evenly browned on all sides, including the bottom. It remained juicy throughout, without any undercooked spots. Furthermore, the imported European bread that I usually buy partially baked and finish off in the oven emerged from the cooking process with an inviting fragrance, a crispy and chewy crust, and a soft and moist center—truly ideal.
Overall, this oven has proven to be the best in my experience. With functions like proofing, it enhances my ability to efficiently produce various items such as pizza, bread, and raised waffles. Additionally, I use the proof function to expedite the defrosting process. It excels at baking pies, cakes, and cookies to perfection. Moreover, it effortlessly produces a perfect pizza and evenly air fries a multitude of items in the spacious basket.
Integrated Oven Light and Tray
The interior oven light automatically turns on at the end of the cycle or when you open the door. The cooker comes complete with a high-quality enamel roasting pan to make the most of its large cooking capacity, with a useful magnetic auto-eject rack feature for added convenience. Placing ingredients into the cavity and removing them - even at high temperatures - really couldn’t be easier.
LCD Display
The oversized LCD display provides a rundown of all the different functions available while making it easy for you to keep an eye on cooking temperatures, the cooking time as it counts down, and so on/ No touchscreen, but frankly, you don’t really need one.
Easy Cleaning
The interior of the device features a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning, while the stainless steel exterior needs little more than a quick wipe on occasion with a damp cloth. The entire interior cavity is coated in a nonstick material, making it a seriously simple smart oven to keep clean and hygienic. It's advisable to perform a brief cleaning routine after each use, preventing any buildup that may become stubborn over time.
This smart oven is a remarkable product that offers hassle-free cleaning. Personally, I've found it so efficient that I rarely use my larger kitchen oven unless I'm cooking something like a large turkey. I've successfully used this versatile appliance for cooking, reheating, toasting, air-frying, and baking brownies. It may be worth noting that I might not be using it to its full potential, but it definitely seems to require less time compared to traditional methods.
To keep it in pristine condition, I recommend wiping it down with a soft cloth and using a Dawn power shot spray after every use, once it has cooled down. This simple maintenance routine ensures that the appliance stays sparkling clean and ready for its next culinary adventure.
Key Specifications:
Specifications | Breville Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer) |
Dimensions | 18.5″ x 26″ x 17″ |
Weight | 38.9 pounds |
Model | BOV900BSS |
Pre-set functions | 13 cooking functions, i.e. toast 9 slices, Roast, Warm, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Proof, Air fry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook and Dehydrate |
Element IQ | Yes |
Super Convection Oven | Yes |
Digital Display Oven Thermometer Display | Yes |
Heating Elements | 6 quartz |
PID Temperature Control | Reduces overshoot for precise and stable temperatures |
Non-Stick Cavity Coating | Yes |
Capacity | 9-Slice Toaster, 12-cup muffin tray, 14-lb turkey, 13″ pizza, and 9″x 13″ baking pan |
Construction Materials | Brushed Stainless Steel |
Power | 1800 Watts |
Voltage | 110–120 Volts |
Temperature range | 120-500 |
Accessories | Broil Rack, 13″ Pizza Pan, Roasting Pan, Oven Racks, Mesh basket for dehydrating and air frying |
What’s Great About the Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer
Give yourself a week or so experimenting with the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, and its standout features become apparent in no time:
The general performance of this thing towers above that of most toaster ovens and conventional convection ovens in terms of power, versatility, and consistency.
It is by far one of the most convenient and versatile toaster ovens on the market, which can air fry, roast, bake, broil, slow cook, and even dehydrate at the touch of a button.
Top marks to Breville where the design of this device is concerned, which is both simple and sophisticated - perfect for all types of kitchens.
Super convection technology provides even greater control over all aspects of the cooking process from start to finish.
For a toaster oven that has such a long list of advanced features, it is surprisingly easy to use with a minimal learning curve to negotiate.
Given that it comes from one of the highest-rated brands in the business, you know you’re looking at a product of quality that’s built to last.
What’s Not Great About the Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer
As for the downsides, there are literally just one or two things that could stand to be improved:
- You could argue that the convection fan is a little on the loud side, but it’s a small price to pay for the performance it delivers.
- Some people may find that they do not use all of the advanced features and functionalities it offers, such as dehydrating.
- It’s larger in size than a standard toaster oven or microwave (see more large toaster ovens) so it needs allocating a slightly larger space on your kitchen counter.
Here's also how it compares to other oven types:
Low Wattage Toaster Ovens
These microwave ovens are budget-friendly, compact and boast a low power rating. Most of the low wattage toaster ovens are simple toaster oven that lack the versatility of Breville's smart toaster oven and air fryer combo, which can serve as a convection oven, dehydrator, or an air fryer.
4 Slice Toaster Ovens
The 4-slice toaster oven is an ideal oven for students, small apartments, and other tight living spaces, with room for four slices of bread or two pizza pies. Breville's BOV900BSS is safer and will stay much cooler thanks to its PID Temperature Control feature.
Toaster Ovens with 500 Degrees Fahrenheit
Most toaster ovens with 500 degrees have high wattage (1800 watts) just like Breville's combo oven. However, Breville BOV900BSS reduces cooking cycle times by as much as 30%, and guarantees even temperature distribution thanks to 6 quartz elements with IQ technology and a powerful convection fan.
Toaster Ovens for Camping
Smallest of the bunch are the toaster ovens for camping, and If you are moving or need to transport the oven, the weight won't be an issue. Breville's smart toaster oven is not actually meant for portability, though, due to its larger size, so any comparison with more compact camping ovens is off the mark.
In a Nutshell…
The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer could well be the most impressive and intelligent mini-oven within its category on the market right now. It may be priced slightly higher than some comparable toaster ovens, but you cannot fault the value for money it represents.
If looking for something to radically transform the way you cook pretty much everything at home, this really is it.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this smart oven provides a range of helpful features for versatile cooking. Its bagel setting is not limited to bagels, but works well for toasting hamburger buns or specialty bread. The oven puts you in control, with adjustable settings for toast darkness and the number of slices to be toasted.
It offers fast preheating and energy efficiency, making it a preferred choice over larger ovens for most cooking needs. While it excels in roasting vegetables and baking frozen foods, results with cookies can be mixed. The oven's diverse settings, including baking, roasting, and pizza-making, are complemented by the included accessories like oven racks and pans.
The convection setting reduces cooking time by approximately 25%. However, the oven's automatic shut-off when the timer reaches zero can be inconvenient for dishes requiring additional cooking time.
Overall, this smart oven is a versatile and convenient option for those seeking a compact alternative to a full-sized oven.