How We Test

Our Testing Philosophy

Busy households need predictable results, not marketing claims. We run standardized, repeatable tests that quantify crispness, airflow, throughput, noise, energy, and cleanup—then translate those findings into portion-based guidance and tools.

We prioritize real foods and real loads—wings, cutlets, fries, and mixed veg—using single-layer and stacked configurations to reflect everyday cooking.

Test Bench & Environment

• Ambient: 70±2°F (21±1°C), 35–50% RH, 36-inch counter height, 12-inch rear clearance unless manufacturer specifies otherwise.
• Power: Dedicated 120V circuit with inline energy meter (kWh, peak wattage, average draw). Warm-up and recovery times are recorded.
• Instruments: Type-K thermocouples, probe thermometer, anemometer for airflow mapping, sound level meter at 1 meter (dBA Slow), digital scale, and timer.

Capacity & Throughput

• Portion-Based Capacity: We measure usable tray area and basket depth, then translate to food-specific guidance (e.g., wings per layer, cutlets without overlap, cups of veg at target spread).
• Throughput: We report grams or portions per minute to a target doneness/crispness, including first and subsequent batches with reheat/hold guidance.

Crispness & Browning

• Standard Loads: Frozen fries, breaded cutlets, chicken wings, and mixed veg.
• Metrics: Surface temp at pull, moisture loss (%), visual browning index, and a snap/crunch assessment using a defined scale. Tests are repeated across rack positions when applicable.

Airflow & Evenness

• Airflow Mapping: Anemometer readings across the tray area to identify hot spots and edge effects.
• Evenness Test: White bread browning grid or parchment-dot test to visualize heat distribution.

Noise, Odor, and Smoke Management

• Noise: dBA at 1m counter height during preheat, steady-state, and max fan; we note pitch/tonality.
• Odor/Smoke: Qualitative assessments using fatty loads and drip management. We record whether design features (e.g., fat trays, filters) reduce smoke.

Energy & Time

• Energy Use: kWh per standardized cook and idle draw. We compare to oven baselines.
• Time: Preheat, recovery, and total cook time to endpoint for each load. We document auto-pause and alerts that affect real workflow.

Cleanup & Durability

• Cleanup: Post-cook soil score and time-to-clean with non-abrasive tools; dishwasher cycles when permitted.
• Durability: Coating wear after 50+ cycles, latch/hinge integrity checks, tray warp observations, and scratch resistance using standardized utensils.

Scoring & Weights

We weight results toward outcomes that matter at home—usable capacity, evenness, crispness, cleanup, and noise—then factor in reliability and accessory fit. Scores include confidence intervals when repeat tests vary.

Accessories & Fit

We verify accessory dimensions, stacking clearance, probe compatibility, and whether add-ons increase usable area without airflow penalties. If an accessory claims +50% capacity, we measure it.

Updates & Long-Term Testing

We revisit models after firmware changes, accessory releases, or when our long-term wear data shifts rankings. Corrections and updates are timestamped on-page.

Independence & Ethics

Manufacturers cannot pay for favorable coverage or preview scoring. Loaners do not guarantee inclusion or recommendation. See our Editorial Policy for sourcing and disclosures.

From Lab to Your Kitchen

All findings feed our calculators, conversion charts, and batch plans—with clear one-wave vs two-wave strategies and holding guidance—so your dinner lands on time, crisp, and consistent.