Countertop Cooking Appliances

For customers who don’t have a lot of time or space, appliances for countertop cooking can be a valuable solution. They can also come in handy during the holidays when large group meals need to be made in the most efficient manner. From machines dedicated to a single specialty, like Zojirushi’s new Fish Roaster, to those that take on multi-tasking duties, there is a countertop cooker to solve every cooking conundrum.

All-Clad Electric Grill/Griddle

The All-Clad Removable Plate Grill/Griddle features removable die-cast aluminum grill and griddle plates, so it can be used as a full grill or half grill/half griddle to prepare a wide range of meals. This 1700-watt grill/griddle and embedded heating elements provides efficient and even heating, while the wide temperature range and two independent thermostats allow you to control the heat for both sides of the cooking surface. Removable, dishwasher-safe parts cut down your cleanup time in the kitchen, and the stainless steel finish makes this grill/griddle an attractive addition to your countertop.

Suggested Retail Price: $299.99

Fish Roaster from Zojirushi

Enjoy the health benefits of cooking fish at home without “reeking” havoc! Zojirushi’s new Fish Roaster (EF-VPC40) is equipped with a platinum catalytic filter that eliminates up to 90 percent of smoke and odor components, making fish preparation a palatable experience. The Fish Roaster is a convenient countertop appliance that simplifies the task of roasting fish and other meats allowing for healthy and quick preparation of these high-protein staples. The Fish Roaster’s stainless steel roasting rack directs excess oils and fats away from food for healthy roasting. The Fish Roaster also disassembles for easy cleaning. Other product features include an adjustable timer up to 30 minutes, a flip open lid for easy operation and a food server for easy removal of foods.

Suggested Retail Price: $200.00

Cuisinart 4-Quart Cook Central

The 4-quart Cook Central (model no. MSC-400) from Cuisinart simplifies combination cooking, letting home cooks bypass the stovetop by browning ingredients right in the unit before switching to Slow Cook. Preset function buttons and time and temperature controls offer easy-to-use Brown/Sauté, Slow Cook and Steam options. A 24-hour timer and automatic Keep Warm setting promise a fresh-cooked meal, warm and ready at dinnertime.

Suggested Retail Price: $129.00

Jet Stream Oven 2

The Jet Stream 2 Oven is a six-in-one cooking system that allows consumers to roast, grill, bake, steam, broil and air fry. Its patented cyclonic cooking action cooks great-tasting foods fast: up to three times faster than a conventional oven, up to two times faster than a convection oven and as fast as a microwave oven, but with superior food quality, taste and appearance. Unlike a microwave oven, the new Jet Stream 2 Oven will produce fluffy baked goods, and brown, tender meats. Cooking is fast and tasty. There are nine presets for temperature ranging from 200 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit features a powerful halogen element and an efficient convection fan that combine for great cooking results.

Dualit Mini Oven

Dualit’s Mini Oven is perfect for small spaces or as an additional, eye-level oven in a busy kitchen. A generous internal capacity, double-glazed glass door, curved back to accommodate larger circular dishes, 3 minute heat-up time and versatile cooking functions, all make the Dualit Mini Oven an asset to any kitchen. There’s even an oven tray, rack and pizza pan, a removable crumb/drip tray, and a non-stick interior. With its defrost, grill, bake and convection cooking functions, the Dualit Mini Oven is the perfect all-arounder.

Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Connectables Slow Cooker

Hamilton Beach® pioneered travel-friendly, mess-free slow cooker design with the groundbreaking Stay or Go® line. But what happens when you’ve got more than one slow cooker at a party? The innovative Connectables Slow Cooker (model 33540) unclutters the potluck table by allowing up to seven slow cookers to connect together side by side and use a single power outlet. The Connectables Slow Cooker has an extra built-in power outlet to power multiple appliances from one wall outlet. It is cube-shaped and 20 percent narrower than standard 4-quart slow cookers. The handles fold down and the built-in lid rest lets you neatly arrange your table for clutter-free serving. Like other Stay or Go slow cookers, the Connectables Slow Cooker features a locking lid for easy, mess-free travel.

Suggested Retail Price: $59.99

Waring 1.5 Cubic Foot Convection Oven

The Waring Convection Oven (CO1600WR) allows users to bake, convection bake, roast, broil, and rotisserie all in one 1700-watt unit. This large stainless steel oven accommodates a half-sheet pan and includes all of the accessories you’ll need for your countertop culinary creations. Two wire racks, a stainless steel baking pan, rotisserie skewers, rotisserie spit, and handgrip are all included. The oven has a timer that can be set for up to 120 minutes and also features four different shelf positions.

Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker

Fagor’s LUX Multi-Cooker is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and yogurt maker all in one. Additional assist functions such as brown, sauté, simmer, steam and keep warm make this unit a one pot cooking vessel. The Pressure Cooking (high and low) functions reduce cooking time up to 70 percent compared to traditional cooking methods. The Slow Cook settings used to prepare classics have both high and low temperature settings. The Lux comes equipped with time delay that allows the user to delay cooking up to six hours. This unit comes with a blue ceramic nonstick removable cooking pot that is dishwasher safe and includes a user’s manual, recipe booklet and a free digital recipe book with more than 75 recipes. This unit is available in 4-quart, 6-quart and 8-quart capacities.

Suggested Retail Price: $99.95 – $159.95

This story was originally published in the August 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.