Customer Reviews

Jet Stream Oven

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have a love hate relationship with this appliance.

I love the results. It cooks like nothing else I own. Its incredibly flexible, easy and convenient. If only it would last. I've been using these units in its current and previous incarnations since the mid 90's. They HAVE gotten more reliable (and expensive). The current design is a lot better in that it has a more reliable drive system. I used to have the fans go out after a year.

But first lets go over the features

It's a clamshell design with 4 basic parts
The heating element which contains a fan an a control computer.
The lid which a temperature resistant semi opaque plastic. There is a hole in the top and it slides into the heating element and twists to lock.
The Pan which is Teflon coated metal. This insulates the bottom and catches all the stuff that falls.
The base. Probably the sturdiest part of the unit. It holds the pan. It has two tabs on it and those slide into a slot in the heating element which deactivates a safety (you cant run the oven without it being in a slot).

There is also a couple of wire racks for holding the food.

The heating element has a simple display and controls. You can vary the temp between 300-400 degrees and the fan speed either high or low. Then you have a time setting which counts down as it cooks. When your done it beeps and until you lift the lid up it keeps beeping periodically. There is an auto shutoff if you lift the lid.

I usually leave it at 400 degrees and adjust the fan speed depending on the item being cooked. Large things get high, small things get low. High speed on tater tots usually results in some destruction. They fling off into the pan or rise up into the fan and get chewed up (the fan is still ok)

The convection oven is good for a lot of things but I most common use it to "grill" meats, cook pizzas, fries and tots without the extra grease. Cooking the meat is nice because it keeps it moist and tender. Cooks on both sides and you don't have to worry flipping or burning. Just set it for 8-10 minutes, hit go and work on something else.

The pizzas and fries come out tasty and crisp vs soggy in the microwave.

I've done plenty of other things like corn, asparagus, carrots, fish and such.

The cooking time is great. For thinner items its 1/3 the time it takes in a regular oven. For thicker stuff ½.

I even got the expansion rings so I could cook a whole small turkey in the thing. Never did it though..

Cleanup is somewhat of a chore, though the fact the unit disassembles makes it much easier. The problem is all that high speed air flings grease all over the place. It builds up in a few places and from time to time you've got to really scrub the sucker down. The drip pan is the most sensitive. Stuff (like cheese) and end up down there and burn on it. Makes it hard to get off even though its non stick.

The key is to clean it while its still warm and don't let stuff collect. I'm too lazy for that. After a while the pan gets pits from burnt food if your not careful.

The reason I don't worry TOO much about that is because it's only a matter of time before it breaks.

I started buying these things back in 1995 when I lived in an apartment and a grill wasn't an option. It was great, except it lasted about 18 months. Back then they were cheaper so it wasn't a horrible loss. I went through maybe 4 of them. The fan drive belt kept breaking.

The last one I bought lasted a good while, probably 3 years of near weekly use. The Fan drive is still going but the plastic on the bottom that holds the heating element broke. So I've ordered another one. I'll keep some of the stuff form that one for "parts".

So to sum it up

Pros-
Cooks like nothing else out there.
Very convenient, easy to use and flexible.
Fast

Cons-
Messy, requires a fair amount of cleanup
Has durability issues

Conclusion
An indispensable appliance as long as you accept that fact it has to be replaced every few years. When I look at the cost/year for what it provides I don't find it unreasonable. Its just that good.

This product needs improved durability. The function is great before it breaks. The plastic ring cracks really fast and is expensive to replace and the hinge is made of plastic parts that break very easily. I have gone through two of them because I like how it cooks almost everything, but I won't get another until they improve its durability. Two years is about the limit of its durability, in spite of being very careful with it. That is not acceptable.

Loved all the things this oven can do especially the crispy critters that it makes. However, a major problem that makes it unusable after about 8 months,(if you use it a lot),is that the plastic lid begins to crack then falls apart with continued use. I have purchased new lids. Same result. They are very expensive, over $30.00. Wish they made a glass lid. I would give this oven a double ten stars if it were not for the lid problem. If you can afford to keep buying lids then get it, it is a great oven, but don't say I didn't warn you. I love this oven but just can't afford it anymore.

I consider the jet stream oven to be an indespensible cooking tool! I've owned this direct drive version for about a year now and use it daily for everything except for hot water for my tea!
If you'd like a couple of steaks in 15 minutes or chicken a short time longer, this is your machine! It's expandable enough to cook a turkey and bakes too! I love it.

I have been using this oven for over 10 years. This is the fourth model I have owned so far. It is the most used appliance in my home. Easy enought for the kids to use. I bake almost evenything which can fit in it. It bakes in about 1/3 the time as a regular convection oven.
The only thing I don't like about this new model is that you have to set the temperature each time you want to use it. The older models used to have 350 already preset as the default temperature and it has a quick bake button. Other than this, I would highly recommend this product for every household.

I've had my oven since the '80's when I bought it from an infomercial and when it was sold by American Harvest. Since then, I have used it for everything possible...vegetables, meats and baked goods. It makes oven fries that rival any potatoes done in a deep fryer. Just slice the potatoes, toss in a little oil, salt & pepper, then cook for a few minutes to a golden brown. Crispy, tender inside and much lower in fat that deep fried potatoes. Less messy, too.

Relaible? Every Thanksgiving turkey for the last 25 years has been cooked in the Jet Stream with absolutely perfect results...juicy and brown. You will never have a juicier piece of chicken than one cooked in this oven. And, you can't beat the speed of cooking an item.

The only thing that went wrong was having to replace two rings over the past 25 years...not a bad reliablility factor at all.

Have worn out 2 of these - took about 15 years of steady use - will always have one - easy to use, makes healthy preparation of food easy and quick - stores in upright position for small footprint when not in use

I love this oven it is our 3rd one. We ordered it from you and it was a bad oven however i returned it and you very promply sent me another. Will be doing business with you again'
thank you