Review on KitchenAid KCO124: Cutting-Edge Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry by Trisha Griffin

Let me start by saying that I am a KitchenAid addict. I have a stand mixer, a hand mixer, an immersion blender, a food processor, and dozens of small tools/utensils. I was thrilled when I stumbled upon this oven as my old one needed to be replaced and with the addition of a fryer function I was sold! Unfortunately, there are some fairly fundamental flaws that almost make me wonder if KitchenAid put their name on someone's mediocre product. This is not an air fryer as advertised, it has a convection mode. Anyone who owns a "real" air fryer knows there's a big difference; both in terms of cooking time and the crispiness of the end products. I've tried a few dishes that I've cooked dozens of times in a Phillips air fryer and they took longer to cook, weren't as crispy or properly cooked. The speed of convection air cannot be compared to a real fryer.2. The display stinks. The dial - no touchpad - for setting the temperature and time doesn't work smoothly and you keep fiddling with it to get to the numbers you want.3. There are no hours. Who in their right mind is selling a device that connects directly to cooking time and doesn't include a clock?4. Shelves and trays are poorly designed. They are difficult to pull out or adjust. There's no ledge or handrail, so you're in constant danger of getting burned. The large frying pan and frying basket fit the size of the oven exactly, making it very difficult to grab to turn or check the food.5. The chart of recommended deep fryer cooking times is extremely limited at best and completely wrong at worst. If you cook exactly according to the recommendations, be prepared to throw it away, cook longer than the table suggests, or be disappointed. I will say that the stove is structurally well done. Smaller profile on the countertop with more internal space for cooking and very quiet. Ideal if you need a traditional toaster. Without air fryer. Or hours. A BIG disappointment for the price. It's a pity that I threw away the packaging immediately, otherwise I would have gone back. I never thought KitchenAid would miss so much.