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It’s been the undisputed idol of modern kitchens for years: the deep fryer revolutionized the preparation of crispy dishes, winning the hearts of those who dreamed of guilt-free frying. But now something new is making its way across kitchen countertops, almost on tiptoe and without making too much noise. And now it’s ready to outshine everyone else. It’s called a halogen oven.

I’m not here to write off the air fryer, but to suggest an alternative that in many cases is actually more practical and interesting. There’s something mesmerizing about this glass capped jar in which the cooking process happens right in front of your eyes, which doesn’t require many accessories, and which clearly shows you exactly how your ingredients are transformed into something delicious. In an age where everything is hidden behind doors and displays, the halogen oven brings cooking back to a visual and sensory experience.

And when your gaze wanders among the steam and golden crusts, you realize it works. It really works. It cooks well, quickly, and without complications. It seems almost unbelievable that something so simple can become so essential. But those who try it often never go back to it again.

What is a halogen oven and why is everyone talking about it?

Aesthetically, it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s not a classic appliance with a minimalist design: it has its own personality, with a transparent bell that looks like it came from an 80s kitchen and a lid that resembles a space helmet. But this is where the magic happens. Inside is a halogen lamp that generates heat, evenly distributed thanks to a fan. The result? Uniform, fast cooking, visible from start to finish.

The great thing is that you don’t need to preheat anything. No need to wait for long minutes that seem like hours while a traditional oven heats up. Turn it on, set the time and temperature, and in a few moments you can already feel the heat starting to take effect. It’s almost hypnotic to watch food change color, swell and transform. Yes, even cooking can be fun if done right.

And then there is the issue of space. Not so much the space it takes up in the kitchen, but the space inside. A halogen oven allows you to cook more food at once without having to alternate or put it in smaller containers. A whole chicken? No problem. Vegetables galore? Everything fits. And you don’t even have to shake the basket every ten minutes.

More than an alternative: a new way to experience the kitchen

What really strikes you once you start using it is its versatility. A halogen oven doesn’t just fry without oil. Grill, roast, toast, bake and even defrost. There’s no need to buy weird accessories or replacement parts separately. You use what you already have in your home and it works perfectly. It’s like a little gastronomic laboratory that always works.

Energy savings is another point that cannot be underestimated. It uses less energy than traditional ovens, and in many cases even less than a deep fryer. But above all, it optimizes time: it cooks faster and does it with quality. And when you’re done, cleanup is surprisingly easy. A little warm water, soap, a soft sponge and it’s as good as new. Glass doesn’t hold odors, and grease doesn’t seem to want to stick either.

And let’s face it: watching food cooking is soothing. There’s no need to open doors or lift lids, risking interrupting the cooking process. A halogen oven lets you control everything with a single glance, and it completely changes the way you approach cooking. More confidence, fewer mistakes. And a certain satisfaction of seeing something good being born before your eyes.

How about an air fryer?

No one wants to throw it away. The air fryer has served its purpose and continues to be useful in many situations. However, over time, those who use it every day begin to notice some limitations. Limited space, the need to stir frequently, not always even cooking, and possibly internal plastic that begins to discolor and retain odors after a few months.

The halogen oven becomes a quiet but concrete answer to these small frustrations. It doesn’t supplant with arrogance, but paves the way because it offers something more or maybe just something different. And often it is this “difference” that creates the difference.

There’s also the emotional factor. Cooking in a halogen oven is almost a ritual: you turn on the lights, choose your ingredients, arrange them on a rack, and then watch. Time slows down, but in a good way. There’s no need to rush around and check everything every five minutes. There’s just the curiosity to see what happens and allow yourself to be surprised. And in a world where everything moves so fast, even cooking can be a small moment of peace.

What can you cook with this “strange” appliance?

The list is long and constantly being updated. Potatoes? Crispy and golden, like they’ve actually been fried. Chicken? With a crispy crust that makes you drool just looking at it. Vegetables? Colorful, soft on the inside and roasted on the outside but not uncooked. Also bread, pizza, cookies. Yes, they can also be used to make desserts, and they’re delicious too.

The halogen oven is good for everything. You don’t need complicated recipes, just a little imagination and a few tries. You will soon find that some foods that you used to avoid (perhaps because of boredom or difficulty of preparation) are suddenly available. And the great thing is that you can use it every day without feeling guilty, because you won’t have to add liters of oil to get delicious results.

And if you need to reheat your food, it will do the job too. It doesn’t dry them out, burn them, or ruin them like some microwaves do. It revitalizes them, almost as if they were freshly cooked. A function that not all appliances can perform well, but here it is naturally realized.

A silent but effective ally.

There’s something underrated about the pleasure of using appliances that don’t make a fuss. No apps to download, no updates to install. Just a timer, a temperature knob, and lots of stuff. A halogen oven doesn’t need to impress because it delivers well on its promises.

It is also a “transparent” appliance in every sense. You see how it works, you understand how it works, and you’re not afraid to make mistakes. And when you get used to it, you start to wonder how you ever did without it before. It’s not glamorous, it’s not fashionable, but it’s reliable. And in the kitchen, reliability is the most important thing.

Perhaps this is its strength: it does not try to impress you, but conquers you day after day. That’s why more and more people who try it end up giving up their old fryer, or at least putting it aside.