When looking at current cooking trends, you will likely notice that there is a big focus on unconventional cooking methods. This spans the spectrum from appliances to ingredients and everything in between. Two big players in this arena that are getting a lot of attention right now are standard Air Fryers and the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven. Today we will be exploring the truth behind these trends. Some are simply fads doomed to fade, while others are lifestyle changes with longevity.
Mindless or Mindful
Often, advertisements for standard Air Fryer’s feature frozen, processed foods. You would be hard pressed to find anything other than french fries, onion rings or pizza rolls being promoted alongside an Air Fryer. Unconsciously, we begin to associate this appliance with these unhealthy foods. This affects our decision-making process when the time comes to choose what we will be cooking. Consequently, it becomes increasingly easier to mindlessly justify poor eating habits.
While it is true that the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven can be used to reheat these same frozen, fried foods, it is designed for much greater versatility encourages cooking fresh ingredients for a much more mindful diet. The Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven is perfectly suited for cooking fresh veggies, broiling fish, roasting chicken, and building generous, mindful sheet pan meals. Whether you are flipping through the included cookbook or browsing our blog for new recipes, you will see how the Superheated Steam Countertop Oven supports your most creative mindful, recipes. (You can still make the bacon and hash browns on Sundays!)
Versatility is Value
When purchasing a standard Air Fryer, it is important to understand that you are buying the bare bone’s necessities. The standard Air fryer is a “Unitasker”, a term popularized by Food Network’s Alton Brown to describe a tool, particularly a kitchen utensil, which is useful only for performing a singular, specialized task. This is evident in the item’s handful of closely related cooking modes including air fry, reheat & bake. These limited options leave little room for creativity when choosing to cook with an Air Fryer.
Some would go as far to say that the option of cooking with superheated steam alone is enough to drive the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven to the top of the totem pole. For those who need a bit more convincing, it must be said that this oven sets you up for success. Sharps Superheated Steam Countertop Oven comes ready to roll with a 12.5” broiling pan and a 12.5” crisper tray. These leave you more than enough room to fit an entire 12” pizza or 9 slices of toast inside with no problem. Realistically, that is a lot of cooking area, but whether you are cooking for one, or a family of four, it’s nice to know that you can do it all without turning on the big oven. Also, this versatile multitasker of an appliance offers its user all sorts of different health-conscious cooking options including Broil, Grill, Bake, Reheat, Pizza, Warm and Toast. We are encouraged by the creative capabilities of this appliance to make healthier eating decisions.
Purpose & Practicality
There are certain situations where an Air Fryer can come in handy. It’s pretty easy to plop in a few tater tots, a handful of chicken nuggets, and flip a switch. Add a side of ketchup for a vegetable, and in less than 10 minutes, you will have yourself a meal. But is that your dinner? Is that your lifestyle? Do you want it to be? An air fryer sits right on the counter, tempting you to use it. But does it compel you to do better for yourself?
As I see it, the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven is simple to use, better than the competition and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Like an Air Fryer, the Superheated Steam Oven heats up very, very quickly. Not all Air Fryers can reach 485 degrees F, but perhaps some can. No preheating means your hungry family will thank you when they realize how quickly dinner gets to the table! Also, the included 6.8 oz water reservoir tank takes no effort to refill, while giving you up to an hour supply of superheated steam. Simply remove the tank from the front of your steam oven, fill it with water and pop it right back into place.
Finally, a countertop appliance must be actually helpful. When I entertain, even for small gatherings, I need to get serious in the kitchen. That Air Fryer isn’t going to do more than take up space. The first thing I would do is to get it off the counter! One way or another, I am going to need a big oven, but I still need to be productive while the main course is cooking! With the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven, I can alternate trays of hot hors d’oeuvres. I can heat up an entire lasagna pan and go from the countertop oven, right to the buffet table – just light the sternos and I’m ready to roll. When I am getting serious in the kitchen, I need serious help! The Superheated Steam Countertop oven is like an extra pair of hands in the kitchen!
The Lion and the Sheep
After this initial dissection of the differences between these two trending kitchen appliances, the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven and the standard Air Fryer, it is clear that there is no contest. The two are competitors, but not peers. When being matched up toe-to-toe, the Sharp Superheated Steam Countertop Oven is the clear winner!
