I originally bought the Chefman 12-Quart 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with Digital Timer because my old air fryer started reaching that dangerous phase where every meal smelled slightly like electrical regret.
And honestly, I expected this to be just another kitchen appliance I’d use for fries, nuggets, and occasional “healthy” meals I pretend I enjoy more than takeout.
Instead, this thing somehow became one of the most-used appliances in my kitchen within weeks.
What is the Chefman 12-Quart Air Fryer Oven?
The Chefman 12-Quart Air Fryer Oven is a multifunction countertop cooking appliance designed to air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, and rotisserie food in one unit.
Unlike smaller basket-style air fryers, this one has more of an oven setup with:
- multiple racks
- a glass viewing window
- larger cooking capacity
- and digital controls
It’s mainly designed for people who want:
- more cooking space
- better meal versatility
- and something that can handle larger portions without constantly cooking in tiny batches.
Why I Tried It
Honestly, I reached a point where my smaller air fryer was starting to annoy me. Everything had to be cooked in multiple rounds, and anytime I wanted to make food for more than one person, the process became weirdly exhausting.
I also liked the idea of having something that could:
- air fry
- bake
- and roast
without turning my kitchen into a full oven-level heat disaster every single time. The larger capacity was honestly what sold me most. Because once you’ve experienced the pain of cooking fries in three separate batches, you start making emotional appliance decisions.
My Experience Using It
The first thing I noticed was, honestly, the size. This thing is big. Not industrial kitchen big. But definitely “clear some counter space immediately” big.
Once I got past that though, I actually started appreciating the extra room almost immediately.
Being able to cook larger portions at once genuinely made cooking feel less annoying. I could finally make enough food in one round instead of standing there constantly shaking tiny baskets every ten minutes.
And honestly, the window ended up being one of my favourite parts. I didn’t realise how much I hated repeatedly opening air fryers to check food until I could finally just… look through the glass.
The controls also felt surprisingly straightforward after the initial setup. I expected one of those overly complicated appliances with fifty confusing buttons nobody actually uses, but this was easier to figure out than I expected.
Food-wise, the results were honestly pretty solid. Fries came out crispy. Chicken cooked evenly. Frozen food tasted noticeably better than standard oven cooking. And vegetables actually became something I voluntarily ate more often, which shocked me personally.
I also tried the rotisserie feature, mostly out of curiosity because it looked intimidating at first. And while there was definitely a small learning curve, it actually worked better than I expected once I figured it out.
Now, to be fair, it’s not perfect. The inside does require cleaning more often than I originally expected, especially if you cook greasy foods regularly. And because it’s larger than standard air fryers, cleaning can feel slightly more annoying afterwards.
It’s also not completely silent. There’s definitely fan noise while cooking, though honestly, I think that’s normal for most air fryers anyway.
But overall, this genuinely became one of those appliances I started reaching for constantly without even thinking about it.
And for me, that’s usually the biggest sign that something was worth buying.
Build & Feel
The appliance itself feels fairly sturdy and more premium than some cheaper plastic-heavy air fryers I’ve used before.
The digital display also looked clean and modern without feeling overly complicated.
The door opened smoothly, the racks felt decent quality overall, and nothing immediately gave me that “this will break in three months” feeling.
Product Claims vs. Reality
I actually think the Chefman performs pretty well for what it promises.
The larger cooking capacity genuinely helps. The air frying works well. And the multiple cooking functions make it feel more versatile than smaller basic air fryers.
That said, I do think some people online exaggerate air fryers in general, like they completely replace every kitchen appliance known to mankind. And realistically? It’s still an air fryer oven.
A very useful one. But not magic.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large cooking capacity
- Crispy and even cooking results
- Multiple cooking functions in one appliance
- Viewing window is genuinely useful
- Easier than using a full oven for many meals
- Great for larger portions
Cons
- Takes up noticeable counter space
- Cleaning can become annoying
- Fan noise is noticeable while cooking
- Rotisserie feature takes some learning
- Larger size may feel excessive for some people
Is It a Scam?
No, I definitely wouldn’t call the Chefman 12-Quart Air Fryer Oven a scam.
It performs like a real multifunction cooking appliance, and honestly, I ended up using it far more than I originally expected.
At the same time, I think people should realistically consider:
- counter space
- cleaning effort
- and actual cooking habits
before buying a larger air fryer oven like this. Because if someone barely cooks, this may honestly feel excessive.
But for regular home cooking? I can absolutely understand why people love these things.
How to Use
I personally ended up using it most for:
- fries
- chicken
- frozen foods
- roasted vegetables
- and quick weeknight meals
And honestly, once I got comfortable with cooking times, it became one of those appliances I used almost daily without planning to.
Alternatives to Consider
- Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
- COSORI Smart Air Fryer Toaster Oven .
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Conclusion — Would I Recommend It?
Honestly… yes, especially for people who cook regularly and are tired of tiny air fryer baskets. What surprised me most was how quickly this stopped feeling like a “special appliance” and just became part of my normal cooking routine.
And once an appliance reaches that point in my kitchen, it usually means it genuinely earned its place there.
It’s not perfect. It takes space. And cleaning definitely requires effort. But overall, I honestly think the convenience and versatility made it worth it for me.
Also read my similar review on the Cosori’s TurboBlaze Air Fryer