Earlier than I had the chance to check the Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven, I wasn’t so conversant in the Fotile Model, most recognized for his or her hood ranges, and had no thought what to anticipate.
I’ve been lucky sufficient to check a number of the very best toaster ovens, and I’m accustomed to fashions which have a laundry record of cooking capabilities. The ChefCubii solely has 4 – however that’s actually not a shortcoming for 2 causes. First, a type of 4 capabilities is a steamer, which is a fairly neat characteristic hardly ever discovered on a countertop oven. Steaming is without doubt one of the healthiest methods to prepare dinner meals because it doesn’t require any oil – solely water. Steaming additionally helps lock within the taste and texture of meals – whereas additionally sustaining vitamins.
Additionally, mixed with the opposite three capabilities – bake, air fry, and dehydrate – the ChefCubii can really carry out a complete of 10 capabilities: convection oven, steam oven, steam-bake mode, air fry, dehydrate, grill, reheat, toast, proof, and rice cooker.
Maybe the most effective half is that I didn’t have to determine methods to get the oven to do all of those capabilities, as a result of it has 40 presets. So, I merely wanted to show the dial to pick the corresponding quantity for the specified meal.
Hold studying to find what I appreciated – and didn’t like – concerning the ChefCubii.
Terri Williams
Terri hates cooking – however loves testing kitchen home equipment. She’s examined over a dozen countertop ovens, and has written shopping for guides on countertop ovens and different kitchen home equipment and residential items for a number of fashionable web sites.
Terri has had the Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven for nearly a yr, so she’s been capable of take a look at it long-term, and can work it again into rotation to supply updates on the equipment’s efficiency.
Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven specs
(Picture credit score: Fotile)
- Mannequin Quantity: HYZK26-E1
- Capability: 1 cubic foot
- Cooking modes: Convection Oven, Steam Oven, Steam-Bake, Air Fry, Dehydrate, Grill, Reheat, Toast, Proof, and Rice Cooker
- Temperature Vary: 86°F- 446°F
- Dimension: 17 13/16″ W x 18 7/8: D x 14″ H
- Weight: 35.28 kilos
- Energy: 1550W
- Equipment: Wire Rack, Baking Rack, Perforated Steaming Tray, Glove, Humidity-controlled Chip (for dehydration)
- Guarantee: 1 yr
Getting Began
I’ve had the ChefCubii since October 2021, so I don’t have the unique field and packing supplies (it’s simpler to retailer gadgets on the wire shelving in my storage with out the additional bulk). Nevertheless, I keep in mind that it arrived in pristine situation, and the equipment had been rigorously wrapped and saved within the oven. These equipment embody an oven mitt, grill rack, bake tray, steam tray, guide, and humidity-controlled chip to make use of with the dehydration perform.
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
The ChefCubii additionally has a novel and trendy design. The inside is product of chrome steel, and the management knobs are product of aluminum. The outside has a white end and a black glass entrance. The door is made of two layers of tempered glass and 1 layer of low E glass. I admire that the door must be tightly sealed, however for some purpose, I discovered it arduous to open. The truth is, I wanted to carry the highest of the oven with one hand (when the oven is on, I maintain the perimeters for security causes), and pull open the door with the opposite hand. This isn’t a difficulty that I’ve ever encountered with different ovens, so I reached out to the corporate to make sure that I didn’t have a faulty unit. I acquired the next response:
- “There are 4 rubber suction footers on the backside of the oven, it will possibly suck onto the granite or marble countertop to supply energy of steadiness while you open up the door. This may occasionally make the door a bit more durable to open, nevertheless it’s for security causes to maintain the oven steadily in place.
- The door could also be tough to open as a result of the ChefCubii is designed with a damping setup on the door (within the corners, metallic hinges) for added compression and to ensure the unit is seamlessly closed up.
- As with every oven, FOTILE recommends sporting an oven mitt when opening/closing the oven when it’s on and in use., If further help is required when opening, it’s beneficial to carry onto the facet of the unit (with oven mitts on) vs. the highest of the unit to keep away from direct contact with warmth releasing.”
Anyway, that was the one drawback I encountered with the oven, nevertheless it bothered me sufficient to deduct half of some extent from an in any other case 5-star assessment.
Cooking within the Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
The 1550W oven has a temperature vary of 86 levels to 446 levels. The ChefCubii has a steam perform (which I like), and in addition a big transportable water tank/drip tray that slides into the underside of the oven. The water tank additionally has a rubber lid to maintain water from spilling out whereas transporting it. When the tank will get low on water, the “water” signal will flash to point that it must be refilled.
The drip tray and water tank
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
As well as, the ChefCubii has a beneficiant see-through window for monitoring the meals, together with an easy-to-read LCD display and two management knobs on the entrance. It’s extremely simple to function the oven. The dial on the left is used to show the oven on and off and in addition choose capabilities, and the dial on the best is used to regulate the temperature and time. There’s additionally a “mild” icon, to show the inside mild on and off.
All 40 presets are conveniently printed on the within of the door
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
However what I like most (subsequent to the steam perform) is the oven’s 40 presets, and so they make it even simpler to function the oven. On the within of the oven is a cheat sheet with numbered recipes. So, for instance, if I need to bake cookies, I flip the left dial to pick “presets” after which flip the second dial to pick 16 – which is the preset for cookies – after which press begin. If I need to steam rice, I choose 08 – which is the corresponding preset quantity for this perform.
A few of the different 40 presets are for steaming scallops, buns, rice, hen, corn and broccoli; in addition to combi steam/convection for roasting a complete hen and baking tilapia filet; as additionally presets for baking pizza and salmon, and air frying hen wings.
I like the preset characteristic since I don’t have to fret about setting the temperature or time (though each may be adjusted if desired).
Cooking Pork Chops within the Fotile ChefCubii
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
My first take a look at was to prepare dinner pork chops within the countertop oven. I seasoned the pork chops and put them within the oven. Then I turned the facility dial to the pre-set menu and selected “P21 Roast Pork Chops,” and the countdown clock began.
One other benefit of utilizing presets is that I didn’t have to fret about preheating meals. I simply chosen the specified preset, put the meals within the oven, and it does the remainder. The oven beeps as soon as to let me know that the pre-heating phase is over, after which beeps a number of instances when the meals is completed.
The pork chops cooked evenly, and had been effectively executed when the timer began beeping. After tasting them, the chops had been additionally juicy and tender.
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
Baking Cookies within the Fotile ChefCubii
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
I like fresh-baked cookies, however solely bake them once I’m testing countertop ovens, so I used to be excited to have a purpose to bake a batch. For the following take a look at, I made Nestle chocolate chip cookies to see how effectively the baking characteristic labored. I turned the dial to preset P16 Cookies, after which positioned the cookies within the oven. The timer sounded when the cookies had been executed. They baked evenly and browned constantly. The cookies had been crispy on the skin, and gentle and chewy on the within.
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
Steaming Shrimp and Shrimp Scampi
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
The subsequent take a look at passed off over the course of two days. I used to be desperate to check out the steam perform, and on the primary day, I steamed some shrimp. I put the gadgets in a glass bowl, positioned them within the oven, after which chosen preset 05 Steam Shrimp. After a couple of minutes, the timer sounded, and I took the steamed shrimp out of the oven. They had been tender and juicy.
(Picture credit score: Terri Williams)
The subsequent day, I used the steam perform to make some shrimp scampi, since I had some leftover cooked angel hair pasta. I selected the preset for steam shrimp and watched it rigorously to see if I would wish to regulate the time or temperature. Nevertheless, I didn’t must make any changes, and the meal turned out high-quality. I’ll admit that I used to be involved that perhaps it might be sticky or lumpy, however the mixture meal was really scrumptious.
Cleansing the Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven
The oven is straightforward to keep up and clear. I used a gentle, soapy sponge (rung nearly dry) to scrub the outside, door, deal with, management panel, and door sealing rings. The racks had been washed within the sink in soapy water. The inside of the oven was cleaned by choosing the steam clear mode (which lasts round 10 minutes). This was adopted by the “dry-up” mode, which runs for about 20 minutes to take away water from the oven.
After 50 hours of use with the steam perform, the descale icon will flash to point that the oven must be descaled. That is completed by filling the water tray with vinegar and water and choosing the descaling perform, which runs for nearly half-hour. The buzzer sounds when it’s full.
How does it examine?
I’ve examined over a dozen countertop ovens, together with June, Wolf Gourmet, Breville, Tovala, De’Longhi Livenza, Ninja, and Calphalon. The Fotile ChefCubii is exclusive in that it has a steam characteristic – which gives a particular benefit if you happen to prefer to steam your meals (and steaming is actually a more healthy option to prepare dinner). The Tovala Gen 2 Sensible Oven is the one different countertop oven I’ve examined with a steam perform, and I prefer it, nevertheless it’s a a lot smaller (albeit cheaper) equipment.
The 40 presets are one other characteristic that makes this oven stand out. The June Oven is the closest competitor, nevertheless it’s extra superior because it really walks you thru the cooking steps and makes suggestions. June can be a wise oven that makes use of a digicam – and prices a number of hundred {dollars} extra.
When it comes to high quality, the Fotile ChefCubii is unquestionably on par with different high-end countertop ovens, and does a fantastic job of utilizing quite a lot of cooking strategies. My solely criticism is that the door was arduous to open.
Do you have to purchase the Fotile ChefCubii Countertop Oven?
(Picture credit score: Fotile)
When you like steamed meals, that is undoubtedly a countertop oven that needs to be in your record. And right here’s one thing else to think about: I like, love, love chrome steel/brushed chrome steel home equipment, however I notice that not everybody else does. When you’re in search of one thing distinctive, the Fotile ChefCubii’s trendy, white design is unquestionably a wonderful equipment and gives a change of tempo for people who find themselves over the chrome steel development. And except for its killer appears, the countertop oven is flexible and is straightforward to each use and clear.
