How to Use a NuWave Oven: Step-by-Step Guide and Cooking Tips

A NuWave oven is a countertop dome oven. A power head on top heats food with infrared, conduction and convection heat at the same time.

It cooks fast, needs no preheating and can cook food straight from frozen. Here is how to set it up and get the best results.

The short version: Place the liner pan in the base, add the rack and put the food on it. Close the dome, attach the power head and set the time and temperature. Use the higher rack for browning and the lower rack for large items. Flip food halfway. The current model is the NuWave Pro Plus 2, but the method below works for most NuWave dome ovens.

How a NuWave Oven Works

The NuWave oven has three main parts: a base with a liner pan, a clear dome and a power head that sits on top. The power head holds the heating element and a fan.

The oven cooks with three kinds of heat at once:

• Infrared heat warms the surface and inside of the food directly.
• Conduction heat passes from the hot rack into the food.
• Convection heat comes from the fan blowing hot air around the dome.

Because the dome is small, it heats almost instantly. That is why you can skip preheating. For a full comparison with basket fryers, see our NuWave oven vs air fryer guide.

What Comes in the Box

Most NuWave dome ovens come with:

• A base that holds everything
• An enamel or nonstick liner pan to catch drips
• A reversible cooking rack with two heights
• A clear dome
• A power head with the controls
• A recipe or owner’s guide

Some kits add an extender ring, which raises the dome to fit taller foods such as a whole turkey. The NuWave Pro Plus owner’s manual describes a 1-inch and 3-inch reversible rack and a 3-inch extender ring. Rack heights may differ on other models, so check your own manual.

How to Set Up a NuWave Oven

1. Place it on a flat, heat-safe counter. Leave space around it, and keep it away from the edge and from walls.
2. Wash the parts. Wash the dome, liner pan and rack in warm soapy water before first use.
3. Put the liner pan in the base. It catches fat and juices.
4. Add the rack. Choose the height for your food.
5. Put the food on the rack. Leave space around each piece.
6. Place the dome on the base.
7. Set the power head on the dome. Make sure it sits level and secure.
8. Plug it in. The display should light up.

Choosing the Right Rack Height

The rack height decides how close food is to the heating element. This is the most important setting after time and temperature.

Rack Position	Best For
Higher rack	Browning, crisping, steaks, chops, chicken pieces, toast, reheating
Lower rack	Whole chickens, roasts, larger or thicker items
Extender ring	Very tall foods such as a turkey

As a rule, thin foods go higher, and thick foods go lower. If food browns before it cooks through, move it lower.

Setting Time and Temperature

Controls differ by model, but the steps are similar:

1. Press the button to set the cook time and enter it with the number pad.
2. Press the temperature or power button and choose your setting.
3. Press start.

Older NuWave ovens used power levels from 1 to 10, with high at the top. Newer models let you set a temperature directly. Many also have a delay start, a stage function for multi-step cooking, and a keep-warm setting.

When the timer ends, the oven beeps and stops. Lift the power head off by the handle and set it on its stand or a heat-safe surface.

Step-by-Step: Roasting a Whole Chicken

A whole chicken is one of the best uses for a NuWave oven. Here is a simple method:

1. Pat a 3 to 4 lb chicken dry and season it well.
2. Place it breast side down on the lower rack.
3. Cook for about half the total time, then flip it breast side up.
4. Finish cooking until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
5. Rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Use your manual’s chart for the exact time per pound. A meat thermometer is the best way to know when it is done. Keep it clean with our guide on how to clean a meat thermometer.

Step-by-Step: Cooking a Steak

Steaks cook quickly on the higher rack, and the fat drips away into the liner pan.

1. Take the steak out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Pat it dry and season it with salt and pepper.
3. Place it on the higher rack.
4. Cook for about half the time, then flip.
5. Check the inside temperature: about 130°F for medium-rare, 140°F for medium.
6. Rest the steak for 5 minutes before slicing.

A 1-inch steak usually cooks in well under 15 minutes. Thicker steaks do better on the lower rack, with a short finish on the higher rack for color.

Step-by-Step: Roasting Vegetables and Potatoes

Vegetables roast well on the higher rack, as long as they are not crowded.

1. Cut vegetables into even pieces, about 1 inch across.
2. Toss them in a tablespoon of oil, salt and pepper.
3. Spread them in a single layer on the rack or in a small pan.
4. Cook, stirring or turning once halfway.

Whole baked potatoes go on the lower rack. Pierce them a few times with a fork first so steam can escape. Medium potatoes usually take 40 to 50 minutes.

A vegetable chopper speeds up prep, and an electric potato peeler helps with big batches. Store spare potatoes well; here is how long potatoes last.

Tips for Better Results

• Pat food dry. Wet surfaces steam instead of browning.
• Use a little oil. A light coat of oil helps crisp skin and vegetables.
• Do not overcrowd. Hot air must reach every side.
• Flip halfway. The top of the food is closest to the heat, so turning it evens things out.
• Keep the dome closed. Every peek lets heat escape, though less than with a big oven.
• Empty the liner pan. Built-up fat can smoke during long cooks.
• Start with familiar dishes. Learn your oven’s timing with foods you cook often.

Cooking From Frozen

You can cook many foods from frozen in a NuWave oven. The infrared heat starts thawing the surface while the fan moves heat inside.

Tips for frozen food:

• Add extra time. Frozen food takes noticeably longer than fresh. Follow your manual’s frozen chart.
• Separate pieces. Break apart frozen chicken pieces or burgers once they thaw enough.
• Check the inside temperature. The outside can look done before the middle is.
• Season partway through. Seasoning sticks better once the surface has thawed.

For frozen fries and snacks, a basket air fryer is often crispier. See how to cook frozen French fries in an air fryer.

Converting Regular Oven Recipes

NuWave ovens usually cook faster than a regular oven because the food sits so close to the heat. A common starting point:

• Reduce the time. Start checking at about two-thirds of the regular oven time.
• Use the right rack. Higher for browning, lower for thick items.
• Flip halfway. Turning food helps it cook evenly.
• Use a thermometer. Doneness matters more than the clock.

Keep notes the first few times you cook a dish. After a few tries, you will know your oven’s timing.

What You Can Cook in a NuWave Oven

Food	Rack	Tip
Steaks and chops	Higher	Flip halfway for even browning
Chicken pieces	Higher	Pat dry for crispier skin
Whole chicken	Lower	Start breast side down
Salmon fillets	Higher	Cook skin side down; no need to flip
Baked potatoes	Lower	Pierce first
Vegetables	Higher	Toss in a little oil
Frozen pizza	Higher	Watch the crust
Bacon	Higher	Fat drips into the liner pan
Reheating leftovers	Higher	Short time, low temperature

For more ideas, see how to reheat pizza, how to reheat chicken wings and how to cook sausages in the oven.

Using Pans Inside the Dome

You can bake in a NuWave oven with small, oven-safe pans that fit under the dome. Metal, glass and silicone bakeware usually work.

Leave space around the pan for air to move. Use the lower rack for cakes and casseroles so the top does not burn. Our guide to compact baking sheet and pan sizes helps you find pans that fit.

How to Clean a NuWave Oven

Clean the oven after each use, once it has cooled.

1. Unplug it and let it cool.
2. Remove the power head. Wipe it with a damp cloth only. Never put it in water or the dishwasher.
3. Wash the dome, rack and liner pan. Use warm, soapy water or the dishwasher if your manual allows.
4. Soak stuck-on grease. Let the liner pan soak, then scrub gently with a non-scratch sponge.
5. Dry everything before putting it back together.

Some models have a self-clean or “wash” mode: add a little water and soap to the dome and run it briefly. Check your manual to see if yours does.

Replacement Parts and Accessories

Racks, liner pans, domes and extender rings can wear out or crack over time. NuWave and other sellers offer replacement parts for many models.

Before ordering, find your model number. It is usually printed on a label under the power head or on the base. Parts from one generation do not always fit another, so match the model carefully.

A cracked dome should be replaced rather than used, because it can break further when hot.

Safety Tips

• Do not touch the dome during cooking. It gets very hot.
• Lift the dome away from you. Steam escapes when you open it.
• Use oven mitts. The rack and liner pan are hot after cooking.
• Set the power head on its stand. Never on a cloth or plastic surface.
• Keep the cord clear. Do not let it hang over the counter edge.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem	Likely Cause	Fix
Food burnt on top, raw inside	Rack too high	Use the lower rack and lower heat
Food not browning	Rack too low or food too wet	Use the higher rack; pat food dry
Uneven cooking	Food crowded or not flipped	Leave space; flip halfway
Smoke	Fat hitting the heating element	Trim fat; empty the liner pan
Oven will not start	Power head not seated	Reseat it and check the plug
Dome cloudy	Grease film	Wash with warm soapy water

NuWave Oven vs Toaster Oven and Air Fryer

A NuWave dome oven is wide and shallow, so it suits large, flat foods. It is great for roasting and cooking from frozen.

A basket air fryer is better for crispy fries and wings. A toaster oven is better for toast, small bakes and sheet-pan meals.

If you are deciding, see the best small ovens and toaster ovens, the best air fryers under $100 and the best 2-slice toaster. For energy use, see the most energy-efficient small kitchen appliances.

Using a NuWave Oven in a Small Kitchen

A NuWave oven is a good main oven for a studio, dorm or RV. It cooks a full meal for one or two people without heating the whole kitchen.

The dome lifts off, so parts can be stored separately. See countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen and vertical storage ideas for space-saving tips.

Cooking for one? Try easy meal prep ideas for one person and how to stock a small kitchen for solo cooking.

Related Guides

• Coolest Kitchen Appliances to Buy
• NuWave Induction Cooktop Review
• How to Clean an Air Fryer Basket
• Best Oil for Air Fryer
• What Can You Cook in a Roaster Oven
• How Much Does a Chicken Breast Weigh
• Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Cooking for One

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to preheat a NuWave oven?

No. NuWave dome ovens heat up almost straight away, so you can put food in and start cooking. NuWave says the Pro Plus 2 needs no preheating.

Can you cook frozen food in a NuWave oven?

Yes. Cooking from frozen is one of its main selling points. Frozen food takes longer than fresh, so follow the frozen times in your manual and check the inside temperature.

Can you use aluminum foil in a NuWave oven?

Small pieces of foil can be used to shield thin parts of food, but they must be secured so the fan cannot lift them into the heating element. Check your manual first.

Is the NuWave oven dishwasher safe?

The dome, racks and liner pan are generally dishwasher safe. The power head is not. Never put it in water; wipe it with a damp cloth instead.

Why is my NuWave food not browning?

The food may be too far from the heating element, crowded, or wet on the surface. Use the higher rack, leave space around food and pat it dry before cooking.