There's No Need For A Microwave When Wayfair's Steam Oven Is Over $100 Off

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The microwave is probably one of the most used kitchen appliances. Need to heat something? Microwave. Want to defrost fast? Microwave. But what if your kitchen counter is already crowded, or what if you want something that does more than just heat things? Well, Wayfair has a tempting alternative in the form of the FOTILE ChefCubii 4-in-1 Countertop Steam Oven.

If you don't know what a steam oven is, it is basically an appliance that cooks food using hot steam instead of, or alongside, dry heat. You can currently get this steam oven for $549, down from $699, saving $150. If, however, you want to save even more, choose an open-box option — which offers opened items in like-new condition — which starts at about $356.85. Just keep in mind, though, that open-box deals often come with limited availability. As for build, the steam oven is about 14.8 inches high, 18.69 inches wide, and 20.19 inches deep. It also weighs nearly 40 pounds. So, while it is compact enough to keep on a counter, it is still not something you can move around quite as easily.

A steam oven is more like a small countertop cooking station. This specific offering comes with eight cooking modes and 50 preset menus. But the biggest reason it feels like a microwave alternative is its steam function, which helps keep food moist when heating or reheating. Plus, it also has true convection cooking, which uses hot air to cook food.

Wayfair's reviews for this steam oven are still limited. At the time of writing, the product has only two reviews — although both are notably five-star ratings. One buyer called it "perfect," while another said it was great and easy to use. While encouraging, two reviews are not enough to get a full picture. For a broader look, the reviews of the same product on Amazon are more useful. There, the FOTILE ChefCubii steam oven has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating based on more than 30 global reviews.

Customers like its sleek look and deceptively compact design, with plenty of room on the inside for cooking. They also say it is easy to use and can handle a variety of tasks, from steaming buns to baking a cake. In fact, its cooking performance is one of its most repeated positives, with buyers saying it cooks evenly and gives food a better texture. One reviewer even said that the steam oven became one of their favorite kitchen appliances.

That said, the feedback is not perfect. For instance, its temperature control gets mixed comments. Some buyers say it is accurate, while others say it takes longer to reach the right temperature than an air fryer. A few reviewers also mention that the water tank feels small. Now, while these things are certainly not deal-breakers, they are still worth keeping in mind before you spend around $350 to $550 on a kitchen appliance. Also, if you don't want a steam oven, you might want to look into replacing your microwave with an air fryer instead. If you would still prefer a microwave, try to find one in resale stores — it is one of those kitchen appliances you can buy used.