She’s ready…
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I think the Anova is a different type of machine than the Ninja you mentioned - the Anova’s selling point is the precise temperature control and use of steam, while the Ninja is just a nice combo convection/toaster/air frier.
With that said, we’ve got this, which seems pretty similar to the Ninja:
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/m/products/breville-smart-oven-air/?pkey=ctoasters-ovens
It’s my favorite kitchen addition of the past few years. The air fry and convection features really make a big difference, especially to leftovers. The fan definitely makes some noise, but it’s much quieter than our oven vent and I don’t find it disruptive. We’ve got an open floor plan in a small row home and it doesn’t bother me to sit 10 feet away while I’m cooking up some wings or fries in there.
The big difference between the Anova and Ninja ovens is that Anova has the means to create a combination cooking environment with an increased/controlled level of humidity.
I can’t speak for the performance of the Anova, but the Ninja is great because you can cook two levels of food at the same time. This means increased capacity, but also means a large cut of protein + a sheet pan of veggies. For a countertop oven, this is compelling because it doesn’t cause a decrease in performance - the air flow is such that you get the same cooking performance on both levels (or nearly). It also has IR heating elements on the top and bottom for good toast and bagel performance.
But this means that the Ninja oven is large. Depending on your family, that might suit your needs. The other option would be the smaller Ninja oven, which has great performance but also flips up and away to consolidate some counterspace. It kind of looks like a computer tower, tipped sideways.
As Catfacemeowmeow said, the Breville is also great. The design is sleek and looks good on any countertop. You’ll just pay a premium for that.
It’s not the size that concerns me, it’s the noise. I’ve got plenty of room for one. (That’s what she said…)
Thanks for the thoughts so far.
If I’m salting the beef now will I need to also salt tomorrow?
I have a convection steam toaster oven thing which is like one step down from the full blown Anova combi-oven. You shouldn’t have any noise concerns. Convection ovens of all sorts are very common and generally not loud at all.
As for whether or not you’ll use it, I’ve posted several times over the years that I like all the features of my steam oven, but if I’m being honest with myself I rarely use most of them enough to justify the purchase.
eta: I use it as a basic convection oven constantly. It’s the steam and associated whiz-bang features that see much less action.
I’d consider finishing salt after it’s cooked if you want to really taste salt when you eat it.
But the general, unhelpful advice I have is what’s listed in every recipe in the world: salt to taste.
I didn’t know anyone here had the Anova oven yet. Tempting because my oven temps suck at being accurate.
I’ve decided to go with some variation of the Serious Eats turkey porchetta recipe for my turkey breast.
I’m not going to deep-fry it and the skin already had some holes in it before I peeled it off. I’m letting the breast thaw for a few more hours before I cut it up. I’m not sure if I have a pan that’s large enough to finish it on the stove.
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Are everyone except NBZ too rich for BF deals or is it like an ideological thing or are there no good deals around? I thought we’d get tons of links here.
Ideology is too strong a word, but I definitely try to avoid sales and other marketing gimmicks that are meant to entice me to buy things I otherwise wouldn’t.
I also don’t really need anything for my kitchen right now.
That’s fair. I am too cheap/ascetic imo so try to loosen up and sales events are a good excuse.
I am on I-5 right now in a moving truck hauling entirely too much crap to my new home. I don’t think I will be buying anything but food until we get rid of a ton of this.
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I’m trying to buy less shit these days, haven’t looked at any BF stuff and like Z said I don’t need any kitchen stuff right now
these are all thinly veiled brags.
I actually do need a new dishwasher if that makes you feel any better. I’m practically a scullery maid these days. Was going to buy a new one a few months ago, but lol @ buying appliances during Covid and waiting 6+ months for delivery. I got a 3-pack of Scotchbrite scrubby wand things instead.
Never got into the whole Black Friday thing, but that cold press coffeemaker looks pretty sweet.
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There are specific things like digital storage that I wait for until Black Friday.
In the past, it’s been a good time to buy kitchen appliances, small electrics, and cookware, especially if you are someone who needs to buy an entire set of pots and pans rather than someone putting together a curated set of individual items to suit your needs. Anyone who wants to buy something like a Kitchenaid mixer should be thinking about doing it at this time of year.
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We moved here early Nov and had to buy literally everything. BF deals were def a huge help.
I was told that baking tofu before stir-frying is the best way to go. I was underwhelmed by the result, didn’t seem worth the extra effort.