Nuwave Combi Steam Oven Review
Revolutionary COMBO mode simultaneously steams and air fries for restaurant-quality results—crispy exteriors with juicy interiors, all in one appliance.
The Nuwave Combi Steam Oven revolutionizes home cooking by combining advanced steam technology with air frying capabilities in one powerful 16-quart appliance. This innovative multi-cooker features groundbreaking COMBO mode that simultaneously steams and air fries, delivering restaurant-quality dishes with crispy exteriors and juicy, tender interiors—something traditional ovens simply cannot achieve. With precision temperature control from 50°F to 450°F in 1°F increments, adjustable moisture levels from 10-90%, and 120 chef-designed presets, this stainless steel powerhouse takes the guesswork out of gourmet cooking. The revolutionary Air Sous Vide function eliminates the need for bags, water baths, or immersion circulators, making professional-grade cooking accessible to everyone. Whether you're steaming vegetables to perfection, air frying crispy fries with 95% less oil, toasting bakery-fresh bread with steam infusion, or creating complex multi-stage recipes, this family-sized oven handles it all. Complete with PFAS-free dishwasher-safe accessories, 51 recipes, and programmable memory functions, the Nuwave Combi transforms everyday ingredients into extraordinary meals.
Key Features
- Revolutionary COMBO Mode: Simultaneously steams and air fries for restaurant-quality results—crispy exteriors with perfectly juicy interiors
- Air Sous Vide Technology: No bags, machines, or water baths needed—control temperature with 1°F precision for tender, flavorful meals
- Advanced Steam Oven: Adjust steam infusion levels from 10-90% moisture for perfectly cooked meals every time
- Precision Temperature Range: 50°F to 450°F control with 1°F increments for everything from proofing dough to high-heat roasting
- 120 Chef-Designed Presets: One-touch cooking programs eliminate guesswork for perfect results with any recipe
- Family-Sized 16 QT Capacity: Cook 5 lbs of chicken, 3 lbs of fries, 5 lb roast, or toast 4 slices simultaneously
- Bakery-Quality Toast Function: Steam and heat combination creates artisan bread, pastries, and desserts like crème brûlée
- Healthier Air Frying: Achieve crispy perfection with no oil or up to 95% less oil than traditional frying
- Multi-Stage Cooking: Program complex recipes with multiple temperature and moisture stages for professional results
- Programmable Memory Functions: Save your favorite custom settings for one-touch consistency
- Quick Heat-Up Technology: LED display with simple controls gets you cooking faster
- Non-Toxic PFAS-Free Construction: Stainless steel interior and accessories ensure safe, healthy cooking
- Versatile Cooking Modes: Steam, Sous Vide, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, Proof, Reheat, and Dehydrate
- Dishwasher-Safe Accessories: Air Fry Basket, SS Tray, Heavy-Duty Rack, Detachable Drip Tray, and Water Tank with Lid
- 51 Chef-Created Recipes: Complete recipe book plus 120-preset guide for endless culinary inspiration
- Oven Interior Light: Monitor cooking progress without opening the door
What We Like
- COMBO mode is revolutionary—simultaneously steam and air fry for crispy outside, juicy inside perfection
- Air Sous Vide eliminates bags and water baths while delivering professional gourmet results
- Precision 1°F temperature control from 50-450°F covers every cooking style imaginable
- 10-90% adjustable moisture control ensures perfect texture for any dish
- 120 chef-designed presets make gourmet cooking accessible to everyone
- Steam-infused toasting creates bakery-quality bread and pastries at home
- Multi-stage cooking programs complex recipes automatically like a professional chef
- Family-sized 16 QT capacity handles complete meals for crowds effortlessly
- PFAS-free stainless steel construction prioritizes health and safety
- Healthier cooking with up to 95% less oil than traditional frying
- All accessories are dishwasher-safe for effortless cleanup
- Programmable memory saves custom settings for consistent one-touch results
- 51 recipes plus 120-preset guide provide endless inspiration
- Quick heat-up with LED display makes operation simple and intuitive
- Replaces multiple appliances—air fryer, toaster, steamer, and sous vide machine
What Could Be Better
- Learning curve to master advanced features like multi-stage cooking and moisture control
- Requires counter space for 16-quart capacity footprint
- Water tank needs periodic refilling for steam functions
- Premium price compared to basic toaster ovens without steam capability
- Some users may need to adjust preset times for personal preferences
Verdict
The Nuwave Combi Steam Oven represents a genuine breakthrough in home cooking technology, combining professional-grade steam capabilities with modern air frying in ways that fundamentally transform how food cooks. The revolutionary COMBO mode is the standout feature—simultaneously steaming and air frying to create dishes with crispy, golden exteriors and perfectly juicy, tender interiors that traditional ovens simply cannot achieve. This isn't just marketing; it's a genuine culinary advantage that elevates everything from roasted meats to vegetables to bakery-quality breads. The Air Sous Vide technology is equally impressive, eliminating the need for bags, water baths, and complicated immersion circulators while delivering restaurant-quality precision with 1°F temperature control and 10-90% adjustable moisture levels. The ability to cook at temperatures as low as 50°F opens up possibilities like proofing bread dough perfectly, while the 450°F maximum handles high-heat roasting and crisping with ease. The 120 chef-designed presets aren't just convenient—they're educational, teaching you optimal settings for different foods while providing one-touch simplicity. The multi-stage cooking capability lets you program complex recipes that automatically adjust temperature and moisture through multiple phases, bringing professional chef techniques to your countertop. The steam-infused toasting function creates bakery-quality artisan bread and pastries that taste like they came from a professional oven, while the air frying delivers crispy perfection with up to 95% less oil than traditional frying. The family-sized 16-quart capacity easily feeds crowds—5 lbs of chicken, 3 lbs of fries, or a 5 lb roast—making it ideal for meal prep, gatherings, and busy households. The PFAS-free stainless steel construction prioritizes health and safety, while all accessories being dishwasher-safe makes cleanup genuinely effortless. Yes, there's a learning curve to master all the advanced features, and it requires adequate counter space, but this single appliance effectively replaces an air fryer, toaster oven, steamer, and sous vide machine while delivering results superior to any of them individually. For home cooks who want to elevate their cooking from good to genuinely gourmet—whether you're a beginner seeking guidance through presets or an experienced cook wanting professional control—the Nuwave Combi Steam Oven delivers restaurant-quality versatility and precision that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals.
FAQ
What makes COMBO mode so special?
COMBO mode is revolutionary because it simultaneously uses steam and air fry technology at the same time. The steam keeps the interior of your food incredibly juicy and tender, while the air frying creates a perfectly crispy, golden exterior. This combination is impossible with traditional ovens and creates restaurant-quality results—think perfectly roasted chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat, or vegetables that are tender inside with caramelized exteriors. It's the best of both worlds in every bite.
How does Air Sous Vide work without bags or water baths?
The Nuwave Combi's Air Sous Vide is an innovative approach to precision cooking that eliminates traditional sous vide equipment. Instead of submerging bagged food in water, the oven creates a precisely controlled environment using 1°F temperature increments and adjustable moisture levels from 10-90%. This delivers the same tender, evenly cooked results as traditional sous vide but without the bags, immersion circulators, or water baths—making it more convenient, eco-friendly, and accessible for everyday cooking.
What temperature range and precision does it offer?
The Nuwave Combi provides an exceptional temperature range from 50°F to 450°F with precise 1°F incremental control. The low 50°F setting is perfect for proofing bread dough, while the high 450°F handles intense roasting and crisping. This wide range with pinpoint accuracy means you can handle everything from delicate custards requiring low gentle heat to high-temperature searing for perfect crusts—all in one appliance with professional-level precision.
How do the 120 presets work?
The 120 chef-designed presets are one-touch programs that automatically set optimal temperature, moisture level, and cooking time for specific foods. Simply select your preset—whether it's chicken, fish, vegetables, bread, or one of dozens of other options—and the oven handles all the complex settings for perfect results. You can also program and save your own custom settings in memory for one-touch access to your favorite recipes. It's like having a professional chef's knowledge built right into the oven.
What is multi-stage cooking?
Multi-stage cooking allows you to program complex recipes with multiple temperature and moisture phases that execute automatically. For example, you might start with low-temperature steaming to tenderize, then increase heat for roasting, and finish with high-temperature crisping—all programmed in advance. The oven automatically transitions between stages at the right times, bringing professional cooking techniques to your home kitchen without requiring constant monitoring or manual adjustments.
How does steam-infused toasting create bakery-quality bread?
Professional bakeries use steam ovens to create artisan bread with crispy crusts and tender interiors. The Nuwave Combi replicates this by combining heat with precisely controlled steam during toasting. The steam keeps the interior moist and tender while the heat creates a perfectly crispy, golden crust—just like bread fresh from a baker's oven. This technique works beautifully for artisan loaves, pastries, sandwich bread, and even desserts like crème brûlée.
What capacity does the 16 QT oven provide?
The family-sized 16-quart capacity is generous enough to toast 4 slices of bread, cook a 5 lb whole chicken, air fry 3 lbs of french fries, or roast a 5 lb roast—all in a single cooking session. This makes it perfect for cooking complete family meals, meal prepping for the week, or entertaining guests. Despite the large capacity, it's designed to fit comfortably on standard countertops while replacing multiple appliances.
What accessories are included?
The complete package includes a stainless steel Air Fry Basket for crispy favorites, SS Tray for versatile cooking, Heavy-Duty Cooking Rack for multi-level cooking, detachable Drip Tray that catches excess water and crumbs, and Water Tank with Lid for the steam functions. All accessories are PFAS-free stainless steel and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. You also receive a comprehensive recipe book with 51 chef-created recipes plus a detailed 120-preset guide.
Is the oven PFAS-free and safe?
Yes! The Nuwave Combi prioritizes health and safety with non-toxic, PFAS-free stainless steel construction throughout the interior and all accessories. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are harmful chemicals found in many non-stick coatings, and this oven completely avoids them. Combined with the ability to cook with up to 95% less oil than traditional frying, the Nuwave Combi supports genuinely healthier cooking for your entire family.