We’ve often heard of one pot wonder meals that require nothing of you more than tossing your ingredients in an electric cooker and come back to a nicely cooked meal. Although this is nice, those cookers often limit you to certain meals or certain quantities. There’s also the multi-cookers that offer different ways to cook your meals, but none seem to offer the combination the Ninja Foodi offers (not as of the time of writing this post, at least).
The Foodi Multi Cooker is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer and AirFryer all in one. With the all new TenderCrisp technology that cooks your ingredients then crisps it to the perfect golden crispy finish by combining pressure cooking with air frying.
Features of Foodi TenderCrisp Pressure Cooker:
- Multi cooking functions include: pressure, slow cooker, steam, sear/saute, air crisp, bake/roast and broil. 1400 watts power.
- 5 quart cooking pot. 3 quart air frying basket.
- Cooking pot is ceramic coated.
- TenderCrisp technology uses pressure cooking and air frying combination for perfectly cooked and golden crisp food.
- No need to thaw frozen food.Your ingredients can go from frozen to cooked evenly and crisped using pressure cooking then crisping.
- Includes a crisping lid to use for air frying, baking/roasting, dehydrating and broiling.
- Select from 5 stovetop temperature settings.
- Easy to use touch control panel with pre-sets and customization options.
- Stay Warm option allows to keep food warm for up to 12 hours.
- Double your cooking capacity by using a layered that allows you to cook on bottom and top layers.
Click here to learn more about Ninja Foodi, read the customer reviews and buy it.
What Is TenderCrisp Technology?
When you cook tough meats and ingredients using pressure cooking, it turns into delicious and tender food. Air frying, on the other hand, creates that beautiful crispy crust that we all love. TenderCrisp Technology in the Ninja Foodi makes these two functions work together to create a juicy and tender meal that is also crispy on the outside. So the process starts with pressure cooking, then your choice of Airfrying level for your desired crispiness.
Watch How It Works:
Ninja Foodi vs. Ninja Foodi Kitchen Collection, What’s The Difference?
The Ninja Foodi is available in two versions, Foodi and Foodi Kitchen Collection, both are the same appliance but the difference is in the included accessories.
Ninja Foodi includes:
- Pressure and Crisping lids
- 4-qt Cook and Crisp basket
- Reversible rack, which can be used for steaming/pressure cooking vegetables and starches or can be flipped to use for broiling meat.
- 45+ recipe book
- 1 year VIP warranty.
Ninja Foodi Kitchen Collection includes:
- Pressure and Crisping lids
- 4-qt Cook and Crisp basket
- Reversible rack.
- 45+ recipe book
- Ninja Express Chop, used for Chopping, Mincing and Pureeing ingredients into soups, sauces, dressings, toppings, dips & more.
- Cook and Crisp layered insert
- Silicone mitts.
- Roasting lifters.
- 3 years VIP warranty
Foodi OP301 vs. OP401:
Ninja OP301 Pressure Cooker, Steamer & Air Fryer w/TenderCrisp Technology Pressure & Crisping Lid, 6.5-Quart, Black/Gray
Ninja OP401 Foodi 8-Quart Pressure, Steamer, Air Fryer All-in-One Multi-Cooker, Black/Gray
Capacity
6.5 quart cooking pot, 4 qrts basket
8 qrt cooking pot, 5.5 basket
Power
1400 watts
1700 watts
More Info
Ninja OP301 Pressure Cooker, Steamer & Air Fryer w/TenderCrisp Technology Pressure & Crisping Lid, 6.5-Quart, Black/Gray
Capacity
6.5 quart cooking pot, 4 qrts basket
Power
1400 watts
More Info
Ninja OP401 Foodi 8-Quart Pressure, Steamer, Air Fryer All-in-One Multi-Cooker, Black/Gray
Capacity
8 qrt cooking pot, 5.5 basket
Power
1700 watts
More Info
Ninja Foodi OP301 vs. 302 vs 305:
These are all actually the same cooker. The model number only refers to the type of included accessories or the size. For example; OP302 and OP305 all refer to the 6.5 quart version of the Foodi, but the 302 does NOT include the cook and crisp insert that the 305 comes with.
Ninja Foodi vs. Ninja Instant Cooker, What’s The Difference?
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Ninja Instant, 1000-Watt Pressure, Slow, Multi Cooker, and Steamer with 6-Quart Ceramic Coated Pot & Steam Rack (PC101), Black/Si, Silver
- Cooks food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods. * *versus slow-cooked, braised, or low-simmer recipes
- Digital, programmable control panel with 5 built-in cooking functions: pressure cook (High and low), slow cook, steam, sear/sauté, and keep Warm.
- 5 sear/sauté settings allow you to sauté and sear from low to high.
- This pressure cooker includes a 6 quart Ceramic-Coated nonstick pot and steam rack (both dishwasher safe).
- 11 levels of safety: passed rigorous testing to earn UL safety certification, giving you confidence and peace of mind while cooking.
Like the Foodi system, the Instant Cooker by Ninja combines a multi cooker with a pressure cooker. However, it has less functions and capabilities:
- The Instant Cooker does not feature TenderCrisp technology of Foodi which combines pressure cooking with air frying to crisp your ingredients.
- Foodi has Airfrying functions for crisping, baking/roasting, broiling and dehydrating. Instant Cooker does not have this feature.
- Frozen to Crisp feature which lets you cook food straight from the freezer without thawing is only available in Foodi.
- Manual programs of Foodi are 8. For instant Cooker it’s only 4 programs.
- Capacity wise, Foodi is available in either 8 or 6.5 quart capacity. Instant Cooker is available in 6 quart capacity.
- Inner pots of both Foodi and Instant Cooker are ceramic coated.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker vs. Ninja Cooking System, What’s The Difference?
Ninja Multi-Cooker with 4-in-1 Stove Top, Oven, Steam and Slow Cooker Options, 6-Quart Nonstick Pot, and Steaming/Roasting Rack (MC950Z), Black
- 1 pot with 4 cooking functions: Stove Top, Slow Cook, Oven, and Steam.
- Unique heating elements let you sear, sauté, and slow cook—all in one pot—for easy cleanup.
- Bake in oven mode. Dry Bake for chicken and roasts, and Steam Bake for delicious, moist cakes.
- Steam delicious and healthy vegetables, fish, and other delicate foods.
- Includes: 6 qt. nonstick cooking pot, glass lid, steaming/roasting rack, multipurpose pan, and cookbook.
Ninja Cooking System is also a multi-cooker that allows you to prepare a large variety of meals. The biggest difference between it and the Foodi is Pressure cooking.
- Ninja Foodi is a Pressure Cooker and Multi Cooker
- Ninja Cooking System is a Multi Cooker with no capability of Pressure cooking or air frying function.
Let’s look at the details…
Functions:
- Foodi: Pressure, slow cook, steam, saute, bake, broil, air fry/crisp. Frozen to Crisp which allows you to cook frozen food without thawing.
- Cooking System: Steam, slow cook, bake, sear/saute, bake.
Manual programs:
- Foodi has 8 manual programs in addition to the pre-sets.
- Cooking System has 4 manual programs.
Capacity:
- Foodi is available in two sizes, 6.5qt and 8 qt.
- Cooking System is available in one capacity, 6 qt.
Coating:
- Inner pot of the Foodi is ceramic coated. Ceramic is known to be more durable and doesn’t peel.
- Inner pot of the Ninja Cooking System has non-stick coating.
Wattage:
- Foodi is available in two models, one is 1400 watts and the other is 1700 watts.
- Ninja Cooking System is 1200 watts.
Ninja Foodi Compared To Other Brands:
Ninja Foodi vs. Instant Pot DUO60:
Sale
Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
- MOST POPULAR SIZE: Serves up to 6 people and perfect for everyday meals.
- REPLACES UP TO 7 APPLIANCES: Combines 7 kitchen appliances in 1 to save you space, including: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute, yogurt maker, and warmer.
- CONSISTENTLY GREAT RESULTS: monitors pressure, temperature, keeps time, and adjusts heating intensity and duration to achieve your desired results every time.
- BEST SELLING MODEL: Monitors pressure, temperature, keeps time, and adjusts heating intensity and duration to achieve your desired results every time. Prepare dishes up to 70% faster.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel lid and components and accessories that are dishwasher safe: inner pot with 3-ply bottom for even cooking, steam rack with handles, serving spoon, soup spoon, and measuring cup.
Instant Pot is about the most popular multi cooker with pressure function available right now. It’s an affordable option that does not lack in features. In fact, it has some impressive features for the price. So how does the Ninja Foodi compare to it?
- Instant Pot DUO60 has 7 functions: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute, steam, warm and yogurt maker.
- It is available in three capacities: 3 quart, 6 quart and 8 quart.
- Features 14 pre-set programs, dual pressure, and manual programs.
- Stainless steel inner pot.
- Timer with 24 hour delayed cooking.
So far, the Instant Pot looks like it might just have more functions and features than the Ninja Foodi, but it still lacks one of Foodi’s best features, the air fryer.
While the Instant Pot is a pressure and multi cooker, the Ninja Foodi is a pressure cooker, multi cooker and an air fryer. Air frying is important for a few things:
- It’s an integral part of the TenderCrisp Technology which combines pressure cooking with air frying to make sure your food is thoroughly cooked and perfectly golden crisped.
- When used alone, the air frying function is used for preparing usually fried meals but with 75% less fat. You can also use it for baking, roasting and broiling. Lastly, it can be used for dehydrating which is what you use for creating delicious fruit or vegetable snacks.
Which Cooker Do You Buy?
Making the right decision when it comes to a new appliance always comes down to breaking down your needs:
- Is pressure cooking something you need from your cooker?
- Are you trying to buy an appliance to replace multiple ones in your kitchen? What kind of meals are you trying to prepare?
The Ninja Foodi is a pressure cooker, multi-cooker and an Airfryer. It’s the only pressure and multi cooker with this capability (as of the time of writing), and this function is used on its own or in combination of pressure cooking, for tender yet crispy ingredients.
The Instant Pot, while it lacks the Air frying function, it still provides a whole lot of great features. It’s an excellent choice for the money, so if air frying is not a priority to you, it makes a great purchase.
If pressure cooking is not something you need, then you’re better off buying a multi-cooker.
A water cooler is a great appliance to have around in a kitchen or an office, but loading those heavy bottles has always been the worst chore. Those days are long gone thanks to bottleless water coolers. That’s one invention that I’m certainly thankful for!
What Is a Bottleless Water Cooler and How Does It Work?
Just like the name sounds, a bottleless water cooler is a water cooling machine that does not require any bottles, not top loading or bottom loading. Instead, it uses direct waterline to provide instantly cool or hot water. These machines also have a built-in filtration system that instantly purifies the water from any chemicals or impurities.
A bottleless water cooler usually has two water reservoirs on the inside, one for cool water and another for hot water. It keeps the water ready for use at those temperatures at all time so you get it instantly whenever you need it.
Why Choose a Bottleless Water Cooler Over a Traditional One?
- One of the best benefits of having one of those coolers is that there’s no need to load up those heavy gallons of water to the top of a cooler anymore.
- You’ll Save a lot of money on purchasing bottles.
- Storing those large bottles is not an issue anymore.
Best Bottleless Countertop Coolers:
Comfee Bottleless Water Cooler:
- Sleek and stylish design that fits on any countertop.
- Select from two temperature settings: Chilled water or room temperature.
- Offers two type of filtration: PP and Carbon filter to improve taste and eliminate odors.
- Touch screen controls for choosing serving size, temperature and dispensing water.
- Choose from three serving sizes: 4, 8 or 24 oz. All sizes can be reprogrammed to your liking.
- Filter reminder will notify you when it’s time to change the filters.
- Approximate filter lifetime: 6 months, 3000L.
Click here to learn more about Comfee Cooler, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Drinkpod Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser:
- Serves water in three temperatures: cool, hot or room temperature.
- Uses Ultra+3 filtration system to purify and disinfect water.
- Touch screen panel with glass illumination.
- Eco mode saves on power during downtime.
- Filter cartridge provides up to 6 months of use.
- Available in black or white design.
Review of Drinkpod Cooler:
Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Dispenser:
- Features paddle spouts for cold or hot water dispensing.
- Self cleaning feature sanitizes and purifies the dispenser to prevent accumulation of bacteria.
- Built-in nightlight makes the spouts visibly clear at night or dark areas.
- Uses two filters, one sediment filter and another carbon block filter. Each last about 6 months.
- Available in three colors.
Click here to learn more about Avalon Bottleless Water Cooler, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Which One To Choose?
- First thing to look into is that do you need your water cooler to provide hot water (for tea, coffee prep)? The Comfee dispenser is the only one out of the three that doesn’t provide hot water. On the other hand, the Avalon doesn’t provide room temperature water. The only cooler with all three temperature settings is the Drinkpod.
- Second is the design: the Comfee and Drinkpod coolers have a nice touchscreen panel and several settings to choose from. The Comfee has pre-set serving sizes that can be programmed, which is quite nice if you don’t want to keep holding on the dispense button to fill up a glass, bottle or jug. The Avalon cooler has a traditional paddle design, so it doesn’t offer much in that sense.
- All three coolers include filters that approximately last for 6 months.
Common Questions About Bottleless Water Coolers:
What Do I Need To Install a Bottleless Water Bottle?
An installation kit is included with your cooler, so most likely, you don’t need to buy any additional tools. You simply have to clear up some space near a pipeline to setup the cooler.
Can I Use a Bottleless Cooler in an Office?
Sure, I can’t see why not. The cooler is designed to deliver water on demand at anytime, as long as you have a water line available to connect at your office, you should be good to go.
Are There Any Ongoing Costs to a Bottleless Water?
When buying a bottleless cooler, you’ll certainly save hundreds of dollars per year on water bottle usage. The only ongoing cost to a bottleless cooler is the filters, which should replaced every 6 months or so.
Is There a Bottleless Water Cooler That Is Not a Countertop Design?
Yes, definitely! If you don’t have enough countertop space, you can still buy a standing water cooler that is also bottleless. Check out this model by Avalon:
This standing bottleless cooler has three temperature settings: cold, hot and room temperature. The dispensing buttons sit on top of the machine. Just like the countertop model, this machine has self cleaning feature and built-in light for spouts. Click here to learn more about it.
What Is a Variable Temperature Kettle And How Is It Different From a Regular Electric Kettle?
Variable temperature kettle works like any other electric kettle, it brings your water to boil whenever you need it. What makes it different though is that with a variable temperature kettle, you get to choose to which degree you want your water boiled. A variable temperature kettle, also referred to as temperature control kettle, allows you to pick from 160, 180, 195 and 200 Fahrenheit and so on. As with a traditional electric kettle, your water is boiled at 200F or so by default.
Why Do You Need To Choose The Water Temperature?
You might be wondering, do you really need your water boiled at different temperatures? Does it really make a difference or is it something that you need?
Variable temperature kettles are especially popular among manual brew coffee lovers because it allows them to make the variety of their coffee beans at different temperatures to get the best flavor out of it. Tea lovers use it too, as different type of teas require different temperatures for the best results. But choosing the temperature of your boiled water can be useful for a lot of things, one of them would be making baby formula, for example. You can boil the water at an exact temperature that wouldn’t be too hot for your baby without having to guess if the water is at the correct temperature.
What To Look For In a Variable Temperature Kettle?
- Available Settings: Different brands offer different settings. You’ll want to know before hand that the kettle you’re buying has a pre-set of the temperature you’ll want to use the most.
- Design: How the buttons are located, LCD display that will show you the temperature settings, and overall build of the kettle.
Best Variable Temperature Kettles To Consider:
Below, I’ll list my recommendations for best variable temperature kettles. These are mostly designed for any use including coffee, tea and more… however, they’re not the best for manual brew coffee (chemex, manual drippers and so on) as you’ll want a gooseneck kettle for that.
Secura Cool Touch Precise Temperature Control Kettle:
This kettle is the best choice for someone who is looking to get a variable temperature kettle at a reasonable price. It has a lot of great features:
- 8 temperature settings ranging from 100F to 212F. Click on the Temp button to set your desired temperature.
- Quick boil setting brings your water to full boil degree without going through all settings.
- Keep Warm setting holds the temperature of your water for up to 4 hours.
- Double walled design with stainless steel interior and plastic exterior (BPA-FREE).
- Kettle remains cool to touch even when boiling.
- Small LCD display shows you temperature settings.
- Safety lock and grip lid design keeps water inside even if accidentally knocked off.
The Secura kettle has almost everything you want in a kettle. My only problem is the plastic exterior, which I don’t like very much, but it’s an understandable design decision that is reflected on the price of the kettle. Another downside to the design is that is does not have an exterior window that shows you the level of water you’ve filled in, only markings on the interior.
Cuisinart CPK-17AMZ Perfect Temp Cordless Programmable Kettle:
The Cuisinart has a nice design that looks a lot like other stainless steel kettles, but of course,this one comes with variable temperature settings. The handle of the kettle features individual button for each of the temperature settings, which are labeled by temperature number and what it’s usually used for.
- It has 6 presets starting at 160F and up to 200F for variable temperatures. A ‘Boil’ setting for boiling water at over 200F.
- Keep Warm setting holds temperature for 30 minutes.
- Backlit window for water level indication.
- 1.7 Liter water capacity.
- Memory function allows you to lift the kettle off the base without it losing its boiling process.
- Stainless steel interior, exterior as well as lid.
In comparison to the Secura, the Cuisinart kettle has a better design. It’s a one-touch operation, fully stainless steel and has a water level indicator. However, it has different temperature settings and holds temperature for less time. And, it’s not a double-wall insulation design, so it is not cool to touch while boiling. Also, according to some customers, the labels on buttons tend to wear off after a while due to handling.
Breville BKE820XL Variable-Temperature 1.8-Liter Kettle:
Breville are always thoughtful with their appliance design, and this kettle has to be my favorite out of the three. Instead of Secura’s single setting button or Cuisinart’s buttons on the handle, Breville has placed its buttons on the base, which is the most comfortable design to use.
- It has 5 pre-set temperature settings, starts at 175F and up to 212F.
- Keep Warm settings holds water temperature for 20 minutes.
- Stainless steel interior and exterior. Clear plastic lid on top.
- Water level indicators on both sides.
This kettle is the most expensive out of the three, yet it has less temperature settings than previous two models (Cuisinart and Secura). The only reason you can justify its price is for the design. Although I don’t like the fact that it has a lid with a clear plastic window, the rest of it is made of solid brushed stainless steel. The base is nicely designed, too. The labels are written on top of the buttons and not directly on them, which means there’s little to no chance of labels getting wiped out after a while.
Which Of Kettles These Do You Choose?
As you can see, each of these kettles has its own pros and cons:
- The Secura kettle gets you the most value for your money. It has the most temperature settings, long Keep Warm time and a double walled design. On the downside it has a plastic exterior and no water level indication.
- The Cuisinart has a great quality and design. Only downside is that the labels are on the handle, which are bound to wipe out after a while.
- Last but not least is the Breville. It’s the most expensive, yet it has less temperature settings. But the price is reflected in its premium design for sure.
If you know exactly what you’ll want to use your kettle for (for tea brewing mostly, or just the usual tasks?) make sure the kettle has a pre-set for your most required task. That’s the most important aspect to keep in mind.
Ninja Kitchen has a range of blenders available on the market. Each blender comes with its own range of features, capacities and accessories to perform different tasks. Choosing the right Ninja blender for yourself will depend on what you need it for:
- Is it going to be for smoothies only? Will you use it for cooking?
- Do you need it to crush ice?
- Do you need a full size blender or a personal size?
Knowing exactly what you need out of a blender is the best start for choosing the right one and narrowing your options. In this post, I’ll be listing Ninja’s blenders, what each blender does and who is it best for. We’ll look at the difference between Ninja blenders, which blender is best for smoothies and more!
Ninja Blenders – The Models:
Starting with full size blenders:
- Ninja Intelli-Sense Series: a full system that allows you to change vessels to do more tasks. Available vessels include a blender, food processor, personal size blender and spiralizer.
- Ninja Chef: High-speed blender with manual or automatic modes for fine tuning your recipes.
- Nina Professional Blender: Powerful blender with Total Crushing technology that crushes ice and frozen fruit in seconds.
Personal Size, Single-Serve Blenders:
- Nutri Ninja: Made especially for creating delicious and nutrient smoothies directly into the cup. Can perform few other tasks, too.
Ninja Intelli-Sense Series:
Intelli-Sense is not just a blender. It’s an entire system that can perform almost all tasks using the same smart base and different attachments. It can run on up to 12 auto programs as well as some manual modes.
Features:
- Motor base with touchscreen control.
- 12 pre-set programs: smoothie, frozen drinks, ice cream, snow cone, puree, chop, dough, dips, extract, refresher, dressing, spiralizer.
- Automatic vessel recognition brings up the appropriate program for each vessel.
- Includes different accessories – read below for more information.
Click here to learn more about Ninja Intelli-Sense, read the customer reviews and buy it.
The systems consists of:
The smart base:
This is the base that does everything for you. It has a touchscreen display that allows you to select from pre-set programs like smoothie, extract, dressing, frozen drink, chop, puree and a lot more. The base is designed with Smart Vessel Recognition; a technology that allows the base to automatically recognize the vessel you’re using and bring up the correct programs on the display accordingly.
The Vessels:
Like I’ve already mentioned, the Intelli-Sense system has different vessels for variety of tasks. Available vessels are: Total Crushing blender, Food Processing, Single-serve blender cups and Spiralizer. Which vessels are included with your purchase will depend on your model choice.
Intelli-Sense Models:
Intelli-Sense Blender Duo (model number: CT641& CT640C) includes the 72 oz blender vessel and two 24 oz single-serve blender cups with spout lids. This model set unlocks 8 smart programs:
Smoothie Blender, Smoothie cup, Extract, Frozen Drink, Snow Cone, Refresher, Dressing, Dips.
Intelli-Sense Kitchen System unlocks all 12 smart programs: Smoothie-Pitcher, Smoothie-Cup, Extract, Frozen Drink, Snow Cone, Ice Cream, Refresher, Dressings, Chop, Dips, Puree, Dough.
The included accessories will depend on your model choice:
Model # CT680W: 72 oz blender pitcher, an 8-cup food processor, one 24 oz single serve cup with one spout lid, dough blade, precision processing blade, stacked blade, 75-recipe book.
Model # CT680SS: 72 oz blender pitcher, 8-cup food processor, one, 24 oz cup and one spout lid, stacked blade, dough blade, pro extractor blade, reversible slicing/shredding disc and disc spindle, precision processing blade, 35-recipe book.
Model #CT680A: 72 oz blender pitcher, 8-cup food processor, one, 24 oz cup and one spout lid, stacked blade, dough blade, pro extractor blade, 35-recipe cook book.
Model #CT680: 72 oz blender pitcher, 8-cup food processor, one, 24 oz cup and one spout lid, stacked blade, chopping and dough blade, pro extractor blade, 35-recipe book.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Ninja Intelli-Sense Kitchen System with Auto Spiralizer (model # CT682SP), it includes: 72 oz blender pitcher, 8-cup food processor, one, 24 oz cup and one spout lid, stacked blade, precision blade, chopping and dough blade, pro extractor blades, auto-spiralizer with two discs (spaghetti and Fettuccine), spiralizer cleaning brush and 35-recipe book.
What Is The Difference Between Ninja Intelli-Sense Models?
As you can see, there’s lots of model numbers and variations of the Intelli-Sense system. It can get quite confusing. But here’s the breakdown of these models:
- The Intelli-Sense Duo is the base model, which includes the pitcher and single-serve cups.
- After that comes the Intelli-Sense System, which has the most variations. All models include the pitcher, single serve cup and a food processor. The difference in each model comes in the included blade for the food processor. This is where you’ll have to pay attention because you’ll want the blade for the task you plan on performing with your processor.
- The last variation of models is the one that has it all, the Intelli-Sense system with the food spiralizer. This one has all the above PLUS the auto spiralizers.
Which Do You Choose?
- The Intelli-Sense Duo is the perfect choice for smoothies and small tasks like crushing ice, making a dressing or dips.
- If you’re looking for more than just blending, the Intelli-Sense kitchen system combines two appliances in one.
Can I Buy the Vessels Separately?
Yes, absolutely! Let’s say you bought the Intelli-Sense Duo but later decided you need a food processor too. All you have to do then is buy the food processor attachments and use it with the same motor base you have. Since it’s a smart system, it will automatically recognize the new attachment and unlock the additional programs.
You can also buy additional blades, single-serve cups and more accessories.
Video Review:
Ninja Chef Series:
The Ninja Chef is a high-speed blender with automatic programs as well as manual mode. It has a wide range of variable speeds, this is great for at home chefs who want to fine tune their recipes and get to very specific textures when blending.
Features of Ninja Chef Blender:
- 10 pre-set Auto iQ programs: Soup, nut butter, flour/mill, extract, dressing, puree, frozen drink, smoothie, dip/salsa and ice cream.
10 manual modes with variable speed control for full customization of your blending. - Self clean program allows for easy cleaning of your pitcher. Simply add hot water and dish soap and run the program.
- Powerful 1500 watts motor base.
- Smart vessel recognition automatically adapts between the pitcher and single-serve cup to bring up the right programs for each vessel.
- Includes a 72 oz pitcher, tamper, lid with vented cap and 50-recipe book.
Click here to learn more about Ninja Chef, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Ninja Chef Blender Models:
Chef Blender series is available in three model numbers, and same as the Intelli-Sense, the only difference is the included accessories:
Model # CT805: Includes the pitcher, tamper, vented lid with cap and recipe book.
Model # CT810: Includes pitcher, tamper, vented lid with cap, one 24 oz to-go double walled tumbler and one spout lid, as well as a 35-recipe book.
Model # CT815A: Includes pitcher, tamper, vented lid with cap, 24 oz single-serve blending cup, one spout lid and 35-recipe book.
Which One Do You Choose?
Simply select the model with the accessories you need. If you don’t plan on drinking your smoothies on the go, the CT805 model should be a good choice. The difference between models CT810 vs. CT815A is that the first one has a tumbler, so you’ll blend your ingredients in the pitcher than transfer it to the tumbler, where with the second model, you’ll blend directly in the single-serve cup.
Video Review:
Nutri Ninja Series:
This series is the perfect choice for smoothie lovers, although it’s not just what it does, it is one of its main purposes. This compact blender is made for blending in single-serve cups of different sizes. The base is set with programs that will do the work for you with a simple press of a button.
There are two models in this series:
Nutri Ninja Pro:
This blender is as simple as it gets. It includes two cups, an 18 oz cup and 24oz cup with two spout lids. It has no programs, so it works on one speed only. This is the quickest way to make your smoothie.
Click here to learn more about Nutri Ninja Pro, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Nutri Ninja with Auto-iQ:
This model feature’s Ninja’s Auto iQ, which is pre-set programs that take the guess work out of making anything from smoothies to chopping small ingredients or crushing ice.
Models numbers for the Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ:
BL480D: includes one 18 oz cup, one 24 oz cup, 2 spout lids
BL481: Includes one 18 oz cup, one 24 oz cup, one 32 oz cup and three spout lids.
BL490: Includes a 72 oz pitcher, one 24 oz cup, one 24 oz stainless steel cup, 2 spout lids.
Click here to learn more about Nutri Ninja with Auto iQ, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Video Review:
Are Ninja Blenders Good for Juicing?
Ninja blenders are not meant to juice. They blend ingredients together so they’re more for making smoothies than juices. Juice is made from extracting the juice out of fruit/vegetable and leaving the fiber or pulp out. That’s the work of a juice extractor rather than a blender. With a blender, you’re using every part of the fruit or vegetable, so the consistency of the drink is heavier.
Other Ninja Blend Posts to Read:
I first came across Breville’s stand mixers at a late night Netflix binge watching shows like Nailed It and Sugar Rush. The mixers looked easy to use for beginners and experienced bakers alike. That’s when I decided to dig deeper into the brand’s stand mixers. What I found is two models: The Scraper Mixer Pro (BEM800XL) and the Bakery Chef (BEM825BAL). In this post, I’ll look into the features of each of these models, and how a Breville mixer would compare to KitchenAid’s.
Breville BEM800XL The Scraper Mixer Pro:
- 12 speed electronic control – adjust the speed control to the action you want to perform (aerating, beating, light mixing…) for the best speed to match your recipe.
- Planetary mixing action.
- 5-quart stainless steel bowl with handles.
- Die-cast metal housing keeps the mixer stable, more secure and easier to clean and maintain.
- Count up and down timer with pause function.
- Load sensing technology will automatically detect heavy batters and will automatically adjust the power to maintain the selected speed.
- Included accessories:
- Wire whisk, Scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, spatula, splash guard and pouring shield.
- Dimensions: 7.9” x 15.8” x 13.8”
- Power: 550 Watts.
Click here to learn more about Breville BEM800XL, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Breville BEM825BAL The Bakery Chef Stand Mixer:
- 12 speed settings with dial control.
- Planetary mixing action.
- Includes two bowls: 5 quarts borosilicate glass bowl and a 4 quarts stainless steel bowl.
- Die-cast metal housing.
- LCD for count up or down timer with pause function.
- Load sensing technology for automatic heavy batter detection.
- Included accessories:
- Wire whisk, scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, splash guard, pouring shield, spatula.
- Power: 550 Watts.
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 15.8″ x 14″
Click here to learn more about Breville BEM825BAL, read the customer reviews and buy it.
What Is The Difference Between Breville BEM800XL vs. BEM825BAL?
- There’s not much difference between the two models except for the included bowls:
- The BEM800XL includes a 5-quart stainless steel bowl only.
- The BEM825BAL includes two bowls: a 5-quart glass bowl and a 4-quart stainless steel bowl.
- The Scraper Mixer Pro is available in three colors: brushed aluminum, cranberry red and black sesame.
- The Bakery Chef is available in brushed stainless steel only.
Breville vs. KitchenAid, Which Stand Mixer Is Right For You?
There’s no doubt that KitchenAid’s stand mixers are the champions of all mixers. For many years, KitchenAid has been preferred by lots of bakers around the world. But does that make it the right choice for you? Not necessarily. Let’s compare Breville and KitchenAid’s mixers features to find out which is the best choice for you. And for this comparison, I chose the KitchenAid KSM105 Artisan Series to the Breville BEM825BAL since they’re most comparable in features, capacity and price. You can also see a detailed review of KitchenAid vs. Breville BEM800XL mixer here.
Power:
KitchenAid: 325 Watts Breville: 550 Watts
Capacity:
KitchenAid: 5-quarts Breville: 5-quarts and 4-quarts
Speed:
KitchenAid: 10 speeds Breville: 12 speeds
Controls:
KitchenAid: number selector Breville: LED light selector with task selection
Included Accessories:
KitchenAid: four Breville: seven
As you can see, it looks like the Breville has more speed and includes more accessories than KitchenAid. It also has more power. But here are few more things to consider:
KitchenAid:
– KitchenAid’s stand mixers are actually multi-functional. It is famous for its detachable accessories that expand the use of the machine to do tasks like make fresh pasta, slice, dice, shred, meat grinder attachments and a lot more. Although it’s very handy in theory, those attachments can be quite expensive. Also, relying on your stand mixer for all your coffee tasks can be quite risky, if it break, then you’ll end up with no appliance to do any task with.
– When it comes to design, KtichenAid is known for its retro design and incredible colors. The appliance itself is quite sturdy and stable. But some of the attachments can be a hit or miss. For example, The flat beater and dough hook are coated aluminum, which is good until the coating starts to peel.
– The speed settings on the KitchenAid are as classic as any settings on any stand mixer. You’ll go through the numbers gradually until you find the perfect speed. This is something experienced bakers are used to, but can take sometime for a beginner to learn.
Breville:
– On the other hand, the Breville mixer isn’t as multi-functional as the KitchenAid. It doesn’t have a hub to accommodate attachments for doing things other than baking. And that’s totally okay, because it does everything its supposed to do baking wise and that’s what you need from a stand mixer.
– The Breville mixer is more powerful wattage wise, and it has more speeds. It’s a better choice for beginners, I believe, because its speed control is not numbered. Instead, it has an LED light with indications for each task. Do you want to knead or fold? Slide the light indicator to match the task. Tasks indicated are folding/kneading, Aerating/whipping, Creaming/beating and Light mixing. The timer (down or up count) is another great feature that makes your baking tasks easier.
– The die-cast housing of the Breville mixer makes it quite sturdy and secure, yet, it’s still less heavy than a KitchenAid mixer, which makes it easier to move around if needed. The attachments included are all stainless steel, so there’s no coating to worry about. Contrary to the KitchenAid mixer, the Breville design is quite sleek and modern.
The Breville has more accessories included, and two of the best are the splash guard and pouring shield. The fact that is has two bowls is also a major plus (the BEM825BAL model).
Watch The Mixers in Action:
Full Comparison Between Breville vs. KitchenAid Mixers:
What Is a Whole Slow Juicer and What Does It Do?
You’ve probably heard of a slow juicer and its benefits. Also known as a masticating juicer, a slow juicer uses a really slow rotation mechanism to produce juice. That way, you’re getting more juice our of your ingredients, less burn (which is caused by rapid rotation), and more nutrients. But what does it mean when it’s called a ‘Whole Slow Juicer? That simply refers to the fact that it’s a slow juicer with a wide chute that fits whole fruit or vegetable without the need for you to cut them before juicing.
One of the leading brands in making Whole Slow Juicers is Kuvings, whose juicers we will feature and compare in this post. In fact, Kuvings owns the patent for the wide chute, so when looking for a whole slow juicer, this is the brand to go for.
We will have a look at the features of the Kuvings C7000 Series, B6000 Series and how they compare to each other. We will also look at Hurom juicers and compare it to Kuvings.
Features of Kuvings C7000 Elite Whole Slow Juicer:
- Low-speed juicing at 60 Rotations Per Minute. The low speed preserves healthy enzymes and delays oxidation process.
- Extra wide 3” feeding chute fits whole produce. It reduces preparation time as many ingredients will not need cutting before juicing.
- Detachable hopper is included to make putting small ingredients easier, if needed.
- Use your juicer to prepare juice from fruit, vegetables and leafy greens. You can also use it to make nut milks and frozen desserts.
- No-mess Smart Cap that prevents dripping.
- Pulp Cup allows you to strain and adjust the amount of pulp in your juice.
- Includes an attachment for making Sorbet.
- Cleaning tool made specially for the strainer, and other brushes to make cleaning your juicer a breeze.
- Comes with a 10 years limited warranty.
- Made in Korea.
Features of Kuvings B6000 Whole Slow Juicer:
- Low Speed with 60 RPM speed.
- Extra wide 3” feeding chute.
- Can juice fruit, vegetables, leafy greens. Also makes nut milks and sorbet.
- Drip-free Smart Cap
- Includes a Sorbet attachment.
- Also includes a special tool and cleaning brush.
- Made in Korea.
Click here to learn more about the Kuvings B6000, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Kuvings C7000 vs B6000, What Is The Difference?
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Looking at the list of features above, it is hard to see that there is any difference between the two models. Yet, there are a few upgrades on the C7000 models that are worth mentioning:
- It includes more accessories: like the hopper for smaller ingredients and the straining for adjusting or removing pulp from your juice.
- There are also other improvements to the internal parts of the juicer:
- Slightly redesigned auger that works better.
- Juicing screen has been redesigned to be easier to clean and less pulp blocking.
- Redesigned juicing bowl.
- The base of the juicers have slight differences but only aesthetically. The motors are the same.
Watch this video or see the upgraded parts:
Should You Upgrade Your Kuvings B6000 To the C7000?
If you already own a Kuvings B6000, is it worth it to upgrade? If your juicer works perfectly, there’s no need for the upgrade. While the upgraded parts on the C7000 make the juicing process smoother, it’s not worth it to ditch your working juicer and buy a new one.
Kuvings vs. Hurom Slow Juicers, What’s The Difference?
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Hurom is a South Korean company that also has quite a popular range of slow juicers. Depending on the model you look at, you’ll find a variety of features and capabilities.
- The biggest difference though is that the Kuvings is a whole slow juicer with a wide chute, while the Hurom isn’t. So if a wide chute is something of importance to you, then you’ll want to go for the Kuvings.
Other than the wide chute, Hurom juicers come with nice features worth considering:
- Two juicing screens, one with a fine screen (strainer) and another with coarse screen.
- You can use a Hurom to juice fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and wheatgrass. It also processes nut milks and soybeans for making soy milk and tofu.
- It works at 43 RPM, so it’s slower than the Kuvings.
Both Hurom and Kuvings juicers are made in South Korea.
Read more about Hurom Juicers and its model comparisons here.
Which Brand Do You Choose?
- The biggest advantage to the Kuvings juicer is the wide chute. If you want as less prep time as possible, a Kuvings juicer would make your best choice.
- But if you want the lowest speed, Hurom has it. It works at 43 Rotations Per Minute, so there’s even less oxidization and possibly higher juice yield. It also includes more accessories allowing you to use your juicer to more than just juice (like soy milk and tofu).
Video Reviews:
Wide Chute Slow Juicers From Other Brands:
Like we previously mentioned in this post, Kuvings has a patented wide chute technology for its slow juicers, but it’s not the only brand with wide chutes.
SKG Wide Chute Slow Juicer:
- Low speed juicing at 60 rotations per minute.
- Wide 3″ chute allows to add most ingredients without the need to cut them.
- High juice yield (Orange 85-90%, Pear 78-83%, Apple 65-75%, Celery 65-70%, Carrot 42-47%)
- You can use it to juice fruit, vegetables, greens including wheatgrass.
- All plastic parts are BPA-free.
- Includes an attachment for making sorbet.
- Available in different colors.
- Made in China.
- Limited 10 years warranty.
Click here to learn more about SKG Slow Juicer, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Also Read: SKG vs. Omega Juicer Comparisons.
SKG vs. Kuvings, Which Do You Choose?
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How do you choose between SKG and Kuving? The SKG juicer is more comparable to the Kuvings B6000 model. It has the same speed and includes the same accessories. Although the Kuvings does have better cleaning tool, and for those who are interested in the origins of the appliance, the Kuvings juicer is made in Korea, while the SKG is made in China.
Otherwise, these two juicers seem quite comparable with not much difference in features.
Ninja Intelli-Sense is a full, multi purpose kitchen system with a smart base and a 4 high-performance attachments that allow you to create many great foods and recipes.
Features:
- 12 smart pre-set programs.
- Smart, touchscreen base.
- Includes 4 attachments: pitcher, processor, cup blender and spiralizer.
- Automatic vessel recognition: place one of the attachments and the base will automatically display the corresponding programs for it.
- Capacity: 72 oz pitcher, 24 oz single-serve cup blender, 8-cup processor.
- 1200-watts base.
- Attachments are dishwasher safe.
- Recipe book included.
Click here to learn more about Ninja Intelli-Sense, read the customer reviews and buy it.
What Is a Smart Base and How Does It Work?
So, the Ninja Intelli-Sense has a “Smart” base and “Smart” programs. But what does that mean exactly?
Each of the 4 attachments is made for specific tasks, nothing new there. But how programs are set is a innovative way. The base starts off with a blank touchscreen. As soon as you insert one of the attachments, it will automatically recognize which one you inserted and the display will show you the programs available for that attachment.
So let’s say you want to make a smoothie, so you insert the Total Crushing Pitcher, and automatically, the programs on the base display will show up as “Smoothie, Frozen Drink, Ice Cream or Snow Cone”, you’ll also see options for speed: Low, High and Pulse.
If you want to make a single serve smoothie, and use the cup blender attachment, that will bring up the corresponding programs for that attachment, which are: Smoothie, Extract, Refresher and Dressing.
The Smart Vessel Recognition feature gives you the unique set of programs for each vessel (attachment) and adjusts speed and power accordingly.
Uses For Each Intelli-Sense Attachment:
Here’s what you can do with each of the attachments included with the Ninja Intelli-Sense:
- Total Crushing Pitcher: Smoothie, Frozen Drinks, Ice Cream and Snow Cone.
- Precision 8-cup Processor: Chop, Dip, Puree, Dough.
- High-Speed Blender Cup: Smoothie, Refresher, Extract and Dressing.
- Auto-Spiralizer: Fettuccine blade and Spaghetti Blade.
Ninja Chef vs. Ninja Intelli-Sense, How Are They Different?
Ninja Chef is a high-speed blender with multiple programs to create different recipes. It has automatic programs as well as manual options to allow you to prepare your food just as you like.
Features:
- 1500-watts power base.
- 10 pre-set Auto IQ programs
- 10 manual mode speeds with variable control for additional control and customization.
- Dial control and buttons. Timer display.
- Clean program easily cleans your pitcher. Add hot water and dish soap to the pitcher and run the program for a thorough clean.
- 72 oz pitcher capacity.
- Includes: pitcher, tamper, lid with vented cap and recipe book.
Pre-set Programs:
- Soup, Smoothie, Extract, Frozen Drinks, Nut butter, Flour/Mill, Ice Cream, Salsa/Dip, Dressing, Puree.
Click here to learn more about Ninja Chef Blender, read the customer reviews and buy it.
The Difference Between Them Is:
Ninja Intelli-Sense Kitchen System is a multifunctional appliance that performs a lot of tasks using the 4 included attachments. While Ninja Chef is a high-speed blender with different pre-sets and manual programs. The two appliances can perform some similar functions, but are not entirely the same. The Ninja Chef blender is just that, a blender. While the Ninja Intelli-Sense combines a blender, processor, single-serve blender and auto spiralizer.
Ninja Intelli-Sense vs. Auto iQ, What’s The Difference?
It sounds like Intelli-Sense and Ninja Chef’s Auto iQ are pretty much the same with it comes with pre-sets.
Auto iQ is a feature in Ninja Chef (and other of their appliances) that takes all the guesswork out of your food prep. It is programmed to get you the best results every time with pre configured patterns of mixing, pulsing and pausing for a set of time. Pre-sets on the Intelli-Sense kitchen system work the same way, too.
Which Do You Choose? Ninja Intelli-Sense or Ninja Chef?
- Intelli-Sense is more that just a blender. It is a multi functional cooking system that includes not just one but 4 attachments. The Pitcher attachment will do everything that the Ninja Chef does, but other attachments instantly expand what you can do. The additional tasks that Intelli-Sense can perform and Ninja Chef doesn’t are Dough, Chop and Auto-Spiralizer.
- The base of the Intelli-Sense is entirely different than that with the Ninja Chef. The Auto Vessel Recognition feature is what makes it special and makes performing tasks easier.
- On the other hand, Intelli-Sense lacks the manual speeds and variable controls that Ninja Chef has, which allows for fine tuning the texture of some recipes.
So overall, whichever you choose will depend on what you need out of your appliance. The Ninja Intelli-Sense is great for multiple tasks automatically with quick tap of a button. For one price, you get many attachments and many functions done. But if you need more control over your recipes (more speed controls, manual settings), you can get the Ninja Chef blender, but you’ll lose some of the functionalities (spiralizer, dough, chopping).
Video Reviews:
Features of Breville Smart Grill:
- Three heat settings: Low, Panini and Sear (310 to 450F)
- Element IQ auto-adjustment detects the drop in temperature when you introduce cold ingredients to the pre-heated surface and automatically injects more heat to bring the Smart Grill back up to temperature and compensate for heat-loss.
- Adjustable timer.
- LCD display with light color indicator to show you which stage the grill is on (preheating or hot).
- Display also displays temperature and timer.
- 6 adjustable height. – lower settings reduce the weight on more delicate foods and also prevent toppings from being pressed out of sandwiches.
- Can be opened flat for BBQ mode.
- Removable plates for easy cleaning.
- Integrated removable drip tray.
- PFOA free non stick coating on the cast-aluminum plates.
- Brushed stainless steel housing.
- Includes one flat plate and one ribbed plate.
- Dimensions: 14″ x 14″ x 5 3/4″
Click here to learn more about the Breville Smart Grill, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Features of the Cuisinart GR300-WS Elite Grill:
- Cooking functions: contact grill, Panini press, full griddle, full grill, half grill/half griddle, top melt
- Removable and reversible plates for grill/griddle functions.
- Dual zone temperature: each side of the grill can operate at different temperatures.
- 6 adjustable height settings.
- Sear function heats up to 500F for 2 minutes at a time.
- LCD display shows you timer, temperature, function.
- Can be opened flat.
- Plates are dishwasher safe.
- Stainless steel housing.
- Dimensions: 14.7 x 16.2 x 8.1 inches
Click here to learn more about Cuisinart GR-300WS Elite Grill, read the customer reviews and buy it.
What Is The Difference Between Breville Smart Grill vs. Cuisinart Elite Grill?
Plates:
- Cuisinart Elite includes a set of reversible plates. One side is grill side, and the other side is a flat griddle.
- Breville Smart Grill includes a set of plate, but each plate is different. One is flat and another grill plate. Additional plates can be purchased separately.
- Neither the Breville or Cuisinart Grill have a compatible waffle plate.
Temperature:
- One of the best features on the Cuisinart Elite Grill is the dual zone temperature control. This means you can operate each side of the grill on a different temperature setting. Also, the highest temperature is 500F for searing.
- The Breville does not have dual temperature control. The highest setting is 450F. But it has Element IQ, which is a feature that detects cold ingredients and automatically adjusts the temperature to heat it up quickly after pre-heating.
Height Control:
- Height control is important in a contact grill. In this case, both the Breville and Cuisinart have 6 different height adjustments.
Size:
- The Cuisinart Elite is a bit larger than the Breville Smart Grill, so it gives you more space to work with.
Drip Tray:
- Cuisinart’s drip tray is located at the back and it is exposed, so it might cause some spilling.
- Breville’s drip tray design is more like a drawer and it’s fully covered, so it contains fats and drips in a better way.
Which Is Best To Buy?
Between the Breville Smart Grill and Cuisinart Grill Elite, we are leaning towards the Cuisinart for these reasons:
- The Dual Zone Temperature allows you to do more at the same time. Different food cooks at different temperatures, so having each side operate at a different temperature will allow you to cook a variety of food at the same time.
- Reversible plates are a great way to get more out of your grill without the need to have more plates.
- Larger size means more space to cook more food.
- Price wise, it is more affordable than the Breville.
Click here to learn more about Cuisinart GR-300WS Elite Grill, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Video Reviews:
Cooking with the Breville Smart Grill:
The Cuisinart TOA-60 is a premium, all-in-one unit that combines a convection toast oven and an airfryer, giving you more ways to cook your favorite meals in a healthy way. With so many functions, you can make a lot of variety of foods in different ways, all using the same appliance.
Features of the Cuisinart TOA-60 Toaster Oven with Built-in Airfryer:
- Choose from 7 functions: Air Fry, Convection Bake, Convection Broil, Bake, Broil, Warm, Toast
- Capacity: 0.6 Cubic Foot Interior With Light.
- Large enough to AirFry up to 3lbs, toast 6 slices of bread, bake a 4lb chicken or 12″ pizza
- Glass door allows you to monitor food as it cooks.
- 60 minute timer.
- Adjustable temperature.
- Toast shade selector.
- Included accessories: Oven Rack, Baking Pan, Air Fryer Basket
- Easy to clean, non-stick interior.
What Makes The Cuisinart TOA-60 Toaster Oven Different Than Other Models?
In a previous post, we compared many of Cuisinart’s toaster ovens. Models like TOB-40, TOB-60 and TOB-80, which you can read about here. While those models are different in size and functions, they all do the same work of a toaster oven. On the other hand, the Cuisinart TOA-60 has a rather big feature, and that is its built-in Airfryer, which is a completely different way to cook food than a toaster oven. So with the TOA-60, you’re getting two appliances in one.
Usually, when you’re baking, broiling, or toasting, your oven is using heat generated from coils, just like any other oven. Airfrying is a totally different thing. It uses ultra-hot air circulation to cook your food in a way similar to frying, using only a tiny bit of oil. So, using your Cuisinart TOA-60 oven, you will be able to bake, toast, broil and airfry… which none of the other Cuisinart models do.
Cuisinart TOA-60 vs. Breville Smart Oven Air BOV900BSS, What’s The Difference?
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Breville BOV900BSS Convection and Air Fry Smart Oven Air, Brushed Stainless Steel
- SUPER CONVECTION TECHNOLOGY: 2 speed convection fan (Super & regular) offers greater cooking control. Super convection provides a greater volume of air to ensure fast and even heat distribution, perfect for air frying, dehydration and roasting
- PRECISION COOKING & ELEMENT IQ: With Element IQ 6 Independent quartz heating elements move the power where it's needed most, above and below the food for perfect results
- AIR FRY & DEHYDRATE PRESETS: Why buy a stand alone air fryer or dehydrater when the Smart Oven Air can air fry french fries and other family favorites and dehydrate a range of foods; Dehydrate up to 4 trays of goodness
- SIZE MATTERS: The large, 1 cubic feet, interior makes room for toasting 9 slices of bread, roasting a 14 pounds turkey, air fry favorites like French fries, slow cook with a 5 quart Dutch oven and comfortably fit most 9 inch x 13 inch pans and 12 cup muffin trays
- SUPER VERSATILE: 13 cooking functions to guide you to perfection: Toast 9 slices, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Proof, Airfry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook, Dehydrate.Voltage:110 120 Volts
An oven we can compare the Cuisinart TOA-60 to comes from Breville, and it’s called Breville Smart Oven Air. Like the Cuisinart TOA-60, Breville’s Smart Oven Air has a built-in airfryer. But that’s not all it has, it actually packs way more features and functions than Cuisinart’s TOA-60:
The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air has:
- 13 preset functions: Toast 9 slices, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Proof, Airfry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook, Dehydrate.
- LCD display makes setting your programs quick and easy.
- It has a built-in airfryer and a dehydrator.
- It has a large 1 cu. ft capacity. It is large enough roast a 14lb turkey, fit 12-peice muffin pan, 13″ Pizza pan or 9 slices of toast.
- Included accessories: 13” Non-stick Pizza Pan, 2x Heavy Duty Oven Racks, Broil Rack and 13”x9” Enamel Roasting Pan, Air Fry/Dehydrating basket.
Which Is Better? Cuisinart or Breville?
Choosing between the Cuisinart TOA-60 and Breville Smart Oven Air depends on what you need and your budget. If all you need is a toaster oven with a built-in airfryer, both ovens make a great choice. However, if you want more specific features, you’ll find that the Breville wins as it gives you:
- More preset functions. This means that the oven is already programmed to the optimal temperatures of the best results. But of course, it also gives you the freedom to select your own settings.
- Not only it can airfry, but it also dehydrates and slow cooks. Slow cooking means that it can maintain the same low heat for up to 72 hours, which is quite impressive for an oven with so many functions.
- Proofing is also another great features not available other ovens. This feature provides extremely low and stable temperature down to 80F to create the perfect environment for fermentation process to take place.
Although these Breville functions are clean winning points, always make sure you actually need them. Otherwise, you’ll be paying for something that you don’t really need. And the Cuisinart would make a more economical choice. Or perhaps you can have a look at other Breville ovens here.
Video Reviews:
Fans of Vitamix blenders know that it offers quite a powerful and customized solution for blending almost anything, from smoothies, soups, nut butters and more. Vitamix popular series is named the Legacy Series, which includes models: 5200, 7500, 750 PRO and 780. Vitamix has also released a series called the Ascent Series which includes models: A2300, A2500, A3300, A3500.
The question always is, which of these blenders will make the best choice? And in this case, which Series do you go for? That’s what we’ll try to help you with in this post.
You can read our comparison between Vitamix 780 vs 750 here.
Vitamix Ascent Features and Comparisons:
- Easily adjust the texture of your dishes and drinks using the Variable Speed Control and Pulse.
- Variable Speed Control lets you fine tune the texture of the food or drink you’re preparing.
- 1 to 10 speed dial.
- Built-in Wireless Connectivity in the base of the blender will automatically adjust the maximum blending times depending on the container you choose.
- Different containers are available for purchase separately.
- Built-in digital timer helps you with processing your recipe manually and takes the guess work out of your tasks.
- Included jar is 64 0z capacity.
- 2.2 HP peak motor.
- Includes a 10-year full warranty.
Click here to learn more about Vitamix Ascent, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Compare Vitamix Ascent Models: A2300 vs. A2500 vs. A3300 vs. A3500, What’s The Difference?
Let’s start with the difference between A2300 vs. A2500:
- The Ascent A2300 has all the features mentioned above: 1 to 10 speed dial, pulse and variable control switches, digital timer and built-in wireless connectivity. On top of all that, the A2500 has 3 Pre-sets for Smoothies, Hot Soups and Frozen Desserts).
The A3300 and A3500 are a step up from the A2300 and A2500 as the feature a touch panel instead of switches:
- A3300 has 1 to 10 speed dial, Touch start/stop, touch pulse, touch programmable timer.
- A3500 has the speed dial, also 1 to 10, Touch start/stop, touch pulse, touch programmable timer and additionally, 5 presets for smoothies, hot soups, dips and spreads, frozen desserts and self-cleaning.
What About Other Specification and Power?
- All Ascent models come with the same powerful 2.2 HP motor, 64 oz container, tamper and cookbook.
- Color availability depends on the model. Some models have more color options that others.
- The base will be housed in either plastic or stainless steel, also depending on the model.
Available Accessories For Vitamix Ascent:
Ascent accessories have the label Self-Detect Technology on them. This means that they are compatible with the wirelessly connected based that will automatically adjust maximum blending time in accordance with the container you’re using.
As of the writing of this post (August 2017), there are only two additional containers you can get:
The Blending Cup Starter Kit:
Includes two 20-oz double-walled to-go cups with lids and a blade base. The cups are BPA-Free and dishwasher safe.
Click here to learn more about this accessory, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Blending Bowl Starter Kit:
Includes two 8-oz bowl containers with lids and a blade base. These too are also BPA-Free and dishwasher safe.
Click here to learn more about this accessory, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Which Vitamix Ascent Model Should You Choose?
- Decide whether or not the touch display makes a difference to you and if you’re willing to pay more for it. If that’s something you’d like, then your choice is between models A3300 and A3500. If the pre-sets are helpful for you, your choice should be A3500, if not, then A3300.
- If touch display is not for you, then you have A2300 and A2500 to choose from. And the only difference here is presets. If you don’t need the presets, then go for the A2300, if you want them, then A2500.
Vitamix Ascent vs. Legacy (Professional Series 750), What’s The Difference?
Now you know all about the features of Vitamix Ascent, let’s see how it’s different than the Legacy Series.
Design:
- There are some differences in the design between the Legacy and Ascent, whether in the base and container. The rubber handles on the container of the Legacy are now just plastic handles on the Ascent. Same goes for the lids. The Ascent has clear plastic lids unlike Legacy’s black rubber lids.
- As for the base, since the Ascent now has a digital timer display and touch screen, then naturally, the design will look slightly different than the Legacy’s.
Technology:
The Ascent features built-in wireless connectivity in its base. That’s something that the Legacy series doesn’t have. But what is this feature exactly and is it important?
The wireless connectivity on the Ascent is of two types: NFC (near field communication) and Bluetooth. The NFC tags on the containers and base communicate and the base will not run unless it recognizes the container and therefor adjusts the maximum blending time accordingly. This also means that old containers (Legacy compatible ones) will not work with the Ascent. So that’s certainly something to consider before you buy any Ascent model.
As for Bluetooth connectivity, Vitamix has not advertised a specific use for it, but it is there so your blender remains relevant and usable for future innovations. This is great news since it means that your blender is not something to be disposed of anytime soon, but will remain usable and up to date for years to come.
Dishwasher Safe:
- The new Ascent containers are dishwasher safe, unlike Legacy’s containers. However, Legacy blenders do have Self-cleaning feature.
Warranty:
- Legacy models had 7 years of full warranty.
- Ascent models all have a 10 years full warranty.
Which Do You Buy? Vitamix Ascent or Legacy?
We always like to recommend the latest design for a new purchase, and that would be the Ascent Series. When buying an Ascent Series blender you’re getting:
- New technology: wireless connectivity is the probably the biggest difference between the Ascent and Legacy. Although it might seem like a gimmick, but it’s actually quite useful. When your base is able to set the maximum speed for each container depending on the size, this means there’s no chance of overworking the motor by mistake. But that’s not all, it also means your blender will be up to date and compatible with whatever innovations Vitamix will come up with.
- New container design that is finally dishwasher safe. Because you’re not always using easy to clean ingredients, having a dishwasher safe container makes a difference.
- On the downside, as of now, the Ascent has only a 64oz full container, a to-go cup and bowl containers. So the Legacy series has more options at container sizes. But we’re pretty sure more containers will be available for the Ascent soon.
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