Panasonic 4-in-1 Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven NN-CD88 Review

Worth When Reviewed

Not at present obtainable within the US

For many who discover standalone air fryers on the small aspect, countertop ovens that air fry are a extra spacious various, however can have restricted use. Not content material with merely bolting on air frying to an oven grill, Panasonic has made the 4-in-1 Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven NN-CD88.

Its 4 capabilities – microwave, convection, grill and air frying – translate right into a countertop equipment that’s as versatile as they arrive. In addition to an air frying basket that can match as much as 900g of chips, it boasts a 34-litre cavity, enamel tray for roasting and 5 combi cooking presets that mix microwaving for velocity with standard warmth or grilling for crisp and crunch. Plus, there’s a built-in sensor so it received’t dry out a reheated dinner.

You may see how this mannequin stacks up in opposition to our prime suggestions in our round-up of the perfect air fryer ovens we’ve examined. We’ve additionally acquired suggestions for the perfect dual-drawer air fryers, the perfect Ninja air fryers and the perfect air fryers general.

Design and Construct

• Chrome steel construct
• The open door will overhang a normal countertop
• Dishwasher-safe equipment

Regardless of Panasonic designing the NN-CD88 to be apparently 15% smaller than standard combi ovens, there’s no getting away from the truth that it’s nonetheless moderately large (H34.3 x W56 x D45cm).

Positioned on a normal 60cm-deep worktop, when the door is open, it’ll overhang, and there’s restricted house in entrance to put dishes. It’s also heavy at 18kg, so it’s finest to choose a spot for it to reside and go away it there. On the plus aspect, in case you don’t have the countertop house to spare, it may be inbuilt to kitchen cabinetry.

It’s spacious inside, with a 34-litre cavity, 36cm turntable, and equally sized enamel tray, wire rack and air fry basket. The equipment are dishwasher-safe, though hand-washing is really helpful for the air fry basket.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Each the outside and inside are clad in stainless-steel – making it extra hygienic and simpler to maintain clear than comparable fashions. Unsurprisingly, packing in so many capabilities has led to a fairly complicated management panel that’s ill-explained by the short begin information and primary directions.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

An LED show goes some option to guiding the consumer, but it surely’s removed from complete. The principle dial, for instance, serves many functions, from altering settings to reheating, whereas the air fry button additionally gives mixture programmes as soon as it’s pressed a couple of occasions.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Efficiency and Options

• Lack of complete steerage for auto programmes
• Fast begin information helpful for fundamentals
• Solely three air frying temperatures

For testing, I concentrated totally on the NN-CD88’s combi and air frying capabilities, partly as a result of that’s what the short begin information focuses on, and likewise as a result of air frying is way of what units it other than a primary micro grill.

As an equipment with a number of capabilities and presets, I used to be stunned on the lack of steerage within the field – the short begin information, stickers on the machine and easy directions don’t cowl the auto programmes (there are 30) or learn how to use them, or appropriate weights for combi cooking. This implies there’s guesswork concerned in case you don’t obtain the complete directions, and you could not get probably the most use out of it with out them. As an alternative, you’ll be largely guided by the show.

The short begin information is useful for the fundamentals, overlaying which equipment can be utilized for which kind of cooking and really helpful temperatures for on a regular basis meals. I particularly preferred the one-button reheating choice, which makes use of humidity within the cooking zone to regulate the microwave energy and time, and used it a number of occasions in the course of the check interval.

Not like a standalone air fryer, the air fry settings solely supply three temperatures – 180°C, 200°C and 220°C – though you possibly can management the timer minute by minute. Whereas it’s cooking, you possibly can add and subtract minutes, which is helpful ought to it appear to be meals wants kind of time.

I began by cooking frozen hash browns utilizing air frying and the wire rack. As there was no suggestion of settings for air frying frozen meals – a typical use – I selected 200°C for quarter-hour. After the time had elapsed, they have been fairly delicate, so I gave them a further 5 minutes. This time, the browning was higher, they usually have been crisp on prime however nonetheless delicate beneath.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

Subsequent, I selected one of many mixture programmes (utilizing microwave energy and convection) that was really helpful for chips from scratch, utilizing the air fry basket raised on the rack. The time recommended 7-9 minutes, which felt too brief for this sort of dish, so I elevated it to 25 minutes at a temperature of 220°C.

There was no suggestion of turning the chips, however midway by means of I did. I preferred that the basket was deep sufficient to offer the contents a superb shake, which is extra sensible than turning with tongs, and that not one of the potato caught to it. Nevertheless, the completed chips have been a combined bag, with many pale items and most of them delicate. Some had browned and crisped correctly, however most would have benefitted from an extended time.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

I additionally cooked a roast hen utilizing one other of the combi programmes and the enamel tray. This used a decrease temperature of 200°C however the recommended timing ranged from 40-60 minutes with out an concept of the load of the chicken. I selected one hour for a 1.5kg hen, which fitted inside simply – the house might accommodate a bigger one.

There was lots of spitting and splashes in the course of the cooking, leaving the inside messy, and a good quantity of fats/juice run off within the tray afterwards. The hen had golden brown bubbly pores and skin, and was very properly cooked inside, with no pink remaining – however the wings and drumsticks have been overdone and dry. This might have benefitted from much less time.

Worth and Availability

This combi oven is obtainable within the UK from Amazon and Panasonic for £379.99. It’s not but obtainable within the US, however you should purchase the same, earlier NN-CD87 mannequin, which as the identical capability and performance however barely completely different options, once more from Amazon and Panasonic for $499.99.

If this isn’t the fitting mannequin for you, take a look at the competitors in our round-up of the perfect air fryer ovens.

Must you purchase the Panasonic Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven?

General, the Panasonic 4-in-1 Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven NN-CD88 is an efficient bundle: there are lots of cooking choices, a few of which shall be time-saving, and its equipment and inside have been straightforward to wash.

Nevertheless, it’s doubtless that you just’ll have to check and regulate your favorite recipes for the perfect outcomes, particularly in case you’re switching from a standalone air fryer – none of what we cooked got here out as anticipated.

On the plus aspect, there’s sufficient performance for the combi micro to complement or substitute a primary oven, work as an air fryer, and substitute a solo microwave, making it a good purchase for busy kitchens and eager cooks alike.