A speed oven or "mini oven" is a cooking appliance that works much in the same way as a conventional oven, but it is more compact in size. One of the biggest pluses of the speed oven is its ability to cook food faster along with as its advanced technology settings. The speed oven comes in a few models, colors, and cooking modes. Its high-speed capabilities also help chefs or anyone else who wants to cook meals in a matter of minutes. Features range from pre-programming controls to air-based technology.
The average size of the oven is approximately 30 inches (or 76 cm), but that also varies depending on the type. Most manufacturers sell the speed oven as "single-wall," or one solo oven, or "double-wall," i.e., two mini ovens that appear stacked on top of each other. Just like most ovens, the high-speed oven comes in colors such as stainless steel, white, and black depending on the brand. Consumers may even select colors to coordinate with their kitchen design and decor. The speed oven appears smaller than most types of conventional ovens, but it still fits into any kitchen wall space.
Cooking times for a speed oven vary compared to a regular oven. Some brands boast that their ovens cook food evenly but much faster. Speed ovens have the capability to cook meals 10 to 15 times faster. For example, one type of high-speed oven claims to cook a 12-lb. turkey in approximately 42 to 45 minutes, whereas the same turkey would cook for up to four hours in a conventional oven. The single- and double-wall design, as well as the quicker cooking times, allow for preparing multiple meals simultaneously.
This modern oven usually operates through a menu-based control panel. Other basic features included pre-programmed options, which come in handy for cooking food ahead of time, as well as temperature and time settings. A "favorites" feature allows the cook to save recipe settings according to time and temperature. Cooking functions include baking, broiling, toasting, roasting, crisping, or dehydrating.
The "smart" oven appliance is also designed with different cooking styles, unlike the conventional oven which usually comes with just one mode. Some mini ovens offer microwave, gas, and convection-style cooking, or a combination of the three. Again, pre-programmed controls allow cooks to change their oven settings accordingly. While most conventional ovens operate with electric or gas heating, the smart oven works by way of air-based technology. How it operates may vary by manufacturer; generally, heat circulates from the top to the bottom of the mini oven through a special heating element that cooks the food thoroughly and evenly.