When it comes to air fryers, there’s not much that surprises me any more.
As ES Best’s unofficial air fryer correspondent, I’m on the frontline of new machine unveilings. I was there when Ninja Kitchen, widely acknowledged as the leading name in the UK’s air fryer scene, launched its very first multicooker that boasted the prized function, have been to air fryer restaurant pop-ups and watched the sector mushroom over the years.
From budget models and compact devices made for small households to family-feeding giants and everything in between, there’s not much I haven’t seen. If there’s an air fryer round in a pub quiz - and let’s face it, it’s only a matter of time until that happens - I’m the person you want on your team.
That said, every so often a new gizmo comes along that makes you sit up and pay attention. What’s turned my head this time? Our Place’s Wonder Oven.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen its cult Always Pan, available in a collection of cute colours to brighten up the kitchen.
Now the brand has launched a new kitchen appliance called the Wonder Oven - it sold out in just eight days when it launched in the US and now it’s available in the UK too.
It comes complete with - you guessed it - an air fryer function, plus a range of other useful features that will give your toaster and microwave cause for concern. Could this be the appliance to clear my countertops of clutter once and for all?
Our Place Wonder Oven key specs
- Exterior: 29.5 cm height, 26.9 cm depth, 29.2 cm width
- Interior: 19.3 cm height, 26.2 cm depth, 25.4 cm width
- Modes: air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil
- Weight: 5.3 kg
- Capacity: 12 L
- Preheat: under 2.5 minutes
- Heat range: 93° – 232°C
- Timer: 0 – 60 minutes
- Composition: Stainless steel
- Wire Rack: 25.1 x 22.5 x 1.8cm, chromed steel
- Bake Pan: 25.1 cm x 22.4 x 1.4cm, aluminium with toxin-free nonstick ceramic coating
- Air Fryer Basket: 25.1 x 22.65 x 3cm, chromed steel
- Crumb Tray: 25.1 x 22.75 x 1.8cm, stainless steel
Packaging
Usually wrapped in endless padding and plastic, Our Place’s Wonder Oven offers a refreshing change in that it was delivered in a compact box with minimal plastic. In fact, had I not been eagerly waiting for its delivery, I’d have no idea that an air fryer lay waiting inside.
The Wonder Oven comes with four roasting, grilling and frying trays, all of which can be housed inside the main compartment, so no need to rustle up storage space in overcrowded kitchen cupboards.
Design
My first thought? This must be a toy. The pale peach colour (a limited edition hue called Spice on Our Place’s website; grey, black and blue are also available) paired with the compact H29.5 x D26.9 x W29.2cm dimensions makes it look like something dreamed up by Fischer-Price - in a good way. The shade range makes it stand out from the air fryer crowd, injecting any space with colour and looking less ominous than other large black machines of its ilk.
Three large function, heat and timer knobs may look childlike, but they make adjusting for whatever you’re cooking a breeze. My favourite design feature is the pull-down lid, helpful if you’ve been cursed with too-low kitchen cabinets. I don’t have to wiggle out the Wonder Oven to the edge of my countertop to access the main compartment like I would with larger family-sized air fryers that often open from the top. Combined with a large viewing window, it makes popping in ingredients, watching them cook and retrieving them an absolute cinch.
The removable trays are a lot easier to clean too (frustratingly they are not dishwasher safe so you’ll have to hand wash), which is a flaw for many traditional air fryers that come with a cooking pot or basket.
Could it do anything better? An LCD screen instead of knobs and more colours to match the rest of Our Place’s cookware would make this machine even more wonderful.
Function
I’ve mentioned a few of the Wonder Oven’s functions, but here’s the full list.
This baby can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and even broil dishes thanks to steam infusion technology which works by pouring a small amount of water into a lid at the top of the machine. It means gorgeously crispy chicken wings, chips, bread, whatever, that’s still succulent, tender and moist inside.
The 6-in-1 design means you can roast a 2kg chicken, bake fresh bread and make sides too - sometimes at the same time if you arrange ingredients over different trays. Anything that gets dinner on the table after a long day is a win in my book.
The Wonder Oven preheats up to 75 per cent faster than conventional ovens and cooks up to 30 per cent quicker too, in line with many other air fryers. Its size, weight and good looks make it stand out - I cannot stop looking at mine, and everyone who has come over has complimented it too. The Wonder Oven is going to be hard to beat.
Where to buy
Our Place Wonder Oven
The six-in-one appliance from Our Place comes with an air frying function, but it can also bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil, making it an invaluable piece of kitchen tech. The compact dimensions make it ideal for small households or spaces - for instance, you could feasibly use it in a caravan as long as you have mains power. Steam infusion ensures food comes out crispy on the outside and juicy inside: the best combination for everything from fries and wings to cookies. Comes with a one-year warranty and a 100-day trial period.
Buy now £195.00, Our Place
Verdict
I love Our Place’s Wonder Oven, but I am mindful of the fact that it's only going to work for households that mirror mine - single or two-person occupancy max. That said, it could also work for families who need extra cooking options in addition to a traditional oven. It won’t take up much room on the countertop and as kitchen appliances go, it’s pretty cute to look at too.
The 100-day trial period is another big plus, allowing you to try it out for size commitment-free.
