Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer Review: A Versatile Countertop Oven for Family Cooking
An air fryer can be useful for more than making crispy fries. Larger countertop models can combine several cooking methods, reducing the need for separate appliances and giving households more flexibility when preparing everyday meals. The Nuwave Brio 15.5-Quart Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven is designed with that broader role in mind.
This model combines air frying, roasting, grilling, baking, broiling, dehydrating, reheating, defrosting, proofing, keeping food warm, and rotisserie cooking in one countertop appliance. It offers a 15.5-quart capacity, four rack positions, digital controls, 100 preset programs, and 50 memory slots for saved settings.
The Brio also includes a temperature probe and a selection of cooking accessories, making it suitable for users who want to experiment with different recipes without switching between multiple machines.
However, its larger footprint, 26-pound listed weight, and multiple controls mean that kitchen space and ease of operation are worth considering before buying. This review examines its features, specifications, accessories, and practical uses to help you decide whether it fits your cooking routine.
What Is the Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer?
The Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt is a countertop convection oven that combines air frying with several other cooking functions. Its top-mounted convection fan circulates hot air around the food, while the digital control system lets users adjust temperature and cooking time.
Unlike a compact basket-style air fryer, this model uses an oven-style design with four rack positions and a full glass front. That arrangement provides more flexibility when preparing different types of food, using the included racks, or cooking with the rotisserie accessories.
The appliance is designed for family-size cooking and can handle a range of tasks, from reheating leftovers and roasting vegetables to preparing rotisserie chicken and grilling sandwiches. Its programmable controls are intended to simplify repeated recipes, while the integrated temperature probe provides another way to monitor cooking progress.
The listed capacity is 15.5 quarts, although usable cooking space depends on the shape of the food, the accessory being used, and the clearance needed for air circulation. Capacity alone does not establish how many servings can be prepared in every cooking situation.
Key Features and Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nuwave |
| Model | 38020 |
| Product Type | Air fryer, convection oven, and rotisserie combination |
| Capacity | 15.5 quarts |
| Power | Up to 1800W |
| Listed Wattage Settings | 700W, 1500W, and 1800W |
| Voltage | 120V |
| Temperature Range | Advertised as 50°F–425°F |
| Temperature Adjustment | 5°F increments |
| Cooking Functions | 10 advertised functions |
| Preset Programs | 100 |
| Memory Slots | 50 |
| Rack Positions | 4 |
| Included Accessories | 7 listed cooking accessories |
| Controls | Digital touch controls with navigation arrows |
| Display | Digital display with blue backlight |
| Temperature Probe | Integrated digital probe |
| Fan | Top-mounted convection fan |
| Interior Light | Yes |
| Door Style | French door |
| Front Window | Full glass |
| Main Material | Stainless steel |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 14.25 × 13 × 16.25 inches |
| Listed Weight | 26 pounds |
| Cable Length | 32 inches |
| App Compatibility | Nuwave Cooking Club app; iOS and Android listed |
Some specifications in the supplied listing conflict. The advertised temperature range reaches 425°F, while another specification lists a maximum of 400°F. The wattage settings also appear as both 700W, 1500W, and 1800W and, elsewhere, 900W, 1500W, and 1800W. Buyers should confirm the exact settings and temperature limits for the unit being sold.
Ten Cooking Functions in One Appliance
The Brio is designed to cover several cooking methods that would otherwise require separate equipment. Its advertised functions include air frying, rotisserie cooking, grilling, roasting, reheating, broiling, defrosting, dehydrating, baking, keeping food warm, and proofing.
The listing describes ten functions while naming eleven activities. These descriptions may reflect overlapping modes or differences in how the manufacturer counts its programs, so the exact menu should be checked in the product manual.
Air Frying
Air frying uses circulating hot air to cook the exterior of food and help develop a crisp texture. The Brio can be used for foods such as potatoes, breaded snacks, vegetables, and smaller portions of meat.
Results depend on food thickness, moisture, cooking temperature, and how much food is loaded at once. Leaving sufficient room for air to circulate and arranging food in a suitable layer can help produce more consistent results.
Rotisserie Cooking
The rotisserie function is designed for foods that can be securely mounted on the included skewer assembly. As the food rotates, its exterior is exposed to heat from different angles, helping it brown during cooking.
Rotisserie chicken is an obvious example, but the practical size of the food will depend on the interior clearance and the dimensions of the rotisserie assembly. A whole bird should fit without touching the heating elements, walls, or door.
Roasting and Grilling
Roasting is useful for vegetables, meat, and other foods that benefit from sustained dry heat. The included reversible grill and griddle plate provides another surface for foods such as eggs, sandwiches, and other items suited to flat-surface cooking.
The appliance’s versatility makes it possible to switch between different cooking approaches without setting up another countertop machine. However, the appropriate accessory, temperature, and rack position will vary by recipe.
Baking, Broiling, and Reheating
The oven-style interior gives the Brio options beyond conventional air frying. Baking can accommodate suitable small-batch recipes, while broiling can be used when a recipe calls for stronger top heat or surface browning.
Reheating is useful for leftovers that may benefit from circulating hot air rather than the softer texture often produced by a microwave. The result will depend on the food: breaded items may regain some crispness, while foods with high moisture content may behave differently.
Dehydrating, Proofing, and Keeping Food Warm
The listing also includes dehydrating, proofing, and keep-warm functions. Dehydrating is intended for removing moisture from suitable foods, while proofing can support dough preparation. Keep-warm mode is designed to maintain food temperature before serving.
These modes serve different purposes and should be used according to the recommended temperature and timing instructions for the recipe. The product information supplied does not specify every mode’s individual temperature range or duration.
A 15.5-Quart Capacity for Family Meals
The 15.5-quart capacity is one of the Brio’s defining features. Compared with a small basket air fryer, an oven-style interior offers more flexibility for arranging food on racks and using accessories such as a rotisserie basket or grill plate.
The appliance may be useful for family dinners, weekend cooking, preparing several ingredients for a meal, or making snacks for multiple people. Four rack positions provide options for positioning accessories according to the type of food being cooked.
However, four rack positions do not necessarily mean that every recipe can be cooked on four levels simultaneously. Overloading the interior can restrict airflow and affect browning, while some foods need more clearance than others.
For larger items such as a whole chicken, check the internal dimensions and rotisserie clearance rather than relying solely on the quart capacity. For households that regularly cook large batches, it is also worth considering whether the available rack space meets their usual serving needs.
Digital Controls, Presets, and Custom Memory
The Brio features a digital control panel with touch buttons and navigation arrows. It is designed to let users select cooking functions, adjust settings, and manage cooking time and temperature.
The appliance advertises 100 preset programs and 50 memory slots. Presets can provide a convenient starting point for frequently prepared foods, while memory slots allow users to save and recall their own preferred settings.
This can be useful for households that repeatedly prepare the same dishes. Once a suitable combination of temperature and time has been established, a saved setting may reduce the number of adjustments needed on future occasions.
Presets should still be treated as starting points rather than guarantees. Food thickness, starting temperature, portion size, and personal preferences can all affect the result. Checking food during cooking and following safe food-handling practices remain important.
Temperature Adjustments in 5-Degree Increments
The product title advertises temperature controls from 50°F to 425°F, adjustable in 5°F increments. Smaller adjustment steps can offer more control when following recipes that require a specific temperature.
The listing also describes the Brio’s Linear T technology and says that the controls can be adjusted during cooking without stopping the process. This is intended to make it easier to respond when food needs additional time or a different temperature.
The precise behavior of the heating system should not be confused with a guarantee that the interior temperature will remain perfectly constant. Actual temperatures can fluctuate as the heating elements cycle, the door opens, or cold food is added.
There is also a specification discrepancy: another field lists a maximum temperature of 400°F, while the headline states 425°F. Since that difference could matter for recipes requiring high heat, verify the temperature range in the manual for the exact model before purchase.
Integrated Smart Temperature Probe
The Brio includes a digital temperature probe intended to monitor the internal temperature of food. This can be especially helpful when cooking larger cuts of meat, where the exterior may brown before the center reaches the desired temperature.
Using a probe can reduce reliance on appearance alone. It may also help users avoid repeatedly opening the door to check the food, although the correct placement and use of the probe depend on the food and the manufacturer’s instructions.
The probe is particularly relevant for roasting and rotisserie-style cooking, where internal doneness is an important consideration. It does not remove the need to follow appropriate food-safety temperatures and cooking guidance.
Before cooking, confirm that the probe is connected and positioned as directed in the manual. Different cuts and shapes of meat may require different placement, and the reading can be misleading if the tip is positioned too close to a bone or in an unsuitable location.
Convection Fan and Air Circulation
The product listing describes a powerful, top-mounted 5-inch convection fan with six blades. Its purpose is to circulate hot air through the cooking chamber, supporting the air-frying and convection functions.
Air circulation matters because heat must reach the surfaces of the food to cook and brown it. When food is packed too closely together, airflow can become restricted, potentially leading to uneven results.
The oven-style format gives users the option to arrange food on racks or use the included mesh accessories, depending on the recipe. Mesh racks and trays can allow air to reach more of the food’s surface than a solid tray, although they may not be suitable for every ingredient.
The seller describes the cooking system as smokeless. That should not be interpreted as a promise that no smoke will ever occur. Grease, food residue, high-fat ingredients, and cooking temperatures can still generate smoke or odors. Keeping the appliance clean and using it according to the instructions can help reduce avoidable smoke.
Seven Cooking Accessories and Their Uses
The product listing identifies seven included cooking accessories. The supplied information names the following components:
- Reversible non-stick grill and griddle plate: Intended for foods that benefit from a flat cooking surface, including suitable breakfast foods and sandwiches.
- Stainless steel rotisserie basket: Designed for compatible foods that can tumble as the basket rotates.
- Rotisserie skewer assembly: Intended for suitable foods that can be secured for rotating cooking.
- Stainless steel mesh rack: Provides a rack surface for compatible foods and cooking arrangements.
- Mesh tray: Offers a perforated surface that can support air circulation around suitable ingredients.
- Digital temperature probe: Helps monitor the internal temperature of food.
- Drip tray: Collects drippings and food residue during suitable cooking tasks.
The exact accessory count and configuration should be confirmed against the seller’s current package contents. The listing names a number of components and assemblies, and some may be counted as kits rather than individual pieces.
Accessories also require appropriate care. The product information specifies hand washing, so it is sensible to check the manual before placing any rack, tray, or non-stick component in a dishwasher. Avoid abrasive cleaning methods that could damage a coated surface.
Interior Light and French-Door Design
The Brio has a full glass front, a French-door configuration, and an interior light. These features allow users to observe food as it cooks without necessarily opening the doors.
Being able to check browning visually can be convenient for foods that need attention near the end of a cooking cycle. Keeping the doors closed also helps avoid unnecessary heat loss during cooking.
The appliance’s front-top control panel keeps the settings accessible from the front, while the glass door provides a view into the cooking chamber. Users should still open the doors carefully and keep hands clear of hot surfaces, racks, and accessories.
Because the unit is relatively heavy, its placement deserves planning. A stable countertop with enough clearance for the doors to open fully is preferable to a crowded corner or a narrow shelf.
Size, Weight, and Countertop Space
The listed dimensions are 14.25 inches deep, 13 inches wide, and 16.25 inches high. At 26 pounds, the Brio is a substantial countertop appliance rather than a lightweight device intended for frequent movement.
Before buying, measure the intended location and allow room for the doors to open, accessories to be removed, and heat to dissipate according to the manual. The 32-inch cable length should also be considered when positioning the appliance near an appropriate outlet.
Its vertical oven-style design can provide multiple rack positions without taking up the footprint of a full-size range. Nevertheless, it needs more dedicated space than a compact air fryer and may be inconvenient to store in a cupboard after every use.
For households that plan to leave the appliance on the counter, the key question is whether its cooking versatility justifies the space it occupies.
Power Consumption and Electrical Compatibility
The product is listed as a 120V appliance with a maximum output of 1800W. At 120V, 1800W corresponds to approximately 15 amps under a simple calculation, although actual current draw and circuit requirements depend on the appliance’s design and nameplate.
Because the maximum rated power is substantial, check the manual and the electrical requirements before use. Avoid assuming that an extension cord or power strip is appropriate; follow the manufacturer’s guidance and local electrical requirements.
The wattage settings are inconsistent in the supplied listing: one section lists 700W, 1500W, and 1800W, while another lists 900W, 1500W, and 1800W. Confirm the available settings for the specific unit being sold.
Buyers outside the United States should be especially careful. A 120V appliance should not be connected directly to a different-voltage supply unless an appropriate, manufacturer-approved solution is confirmed. Plug shape alone does not establish electrical compatibility.
Cleaning and Routine Maintenance
The Brio’s glass front, metal interior, racks, trays, and drip tray will need regular cleaning, especially after cooking foods that release grease or crumbs.
Allow the appliance and accessories to cool according to the manual before cleaning. Remove food residue from the cooking chamber and drip tray, and avoid allowing grease to build up around the heating area or fan openings.
The listing specifies hand washing for product care. Since the included accessories may have different finishes or coatings, use the care instructions for each component rather than assuming that all parts can be cleaned in the same way.
Regular maintenance can help reduce smoke caused by leftover grease and keep the cooking area ready for the next use. The appliance should be disconnected as directed before cleaning, and water should never be introduced into electrical components or ventilation openings.
Who Should Consider the Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt?
The Brio may be worth considering for several types of users.
Families preparing varied meals: Its combination of air frying, roasting, baking, and reheating can support a range of everyday cooking tasks.
Home cooks who enjoy rotisserie recipes: The included skewer and basket accessories offer options beyond a conventional basket air fryer, provided the food fits within the available space.
People who want programmable cooking: The advertised preset programs and memory slots can be useful for repeating recipes and saving preferred settings.
Users who want an oven-style air fryer: Four rack positions and a full glass front provide a different cooking arrangement from a compact drawer-style model.
It may be less suitable for people with very limited counter space, anyone who needs a lightweight appliance, or buyers who want a simple air fryer without multiple cooking modes. Those using a 220–240V electrical supply must also confirm compatibility before purchase.
Is the Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer Worth Buying?
The Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt is a multifunction countertop cooking appliance designed to combine air frying, convection cooking, rotisserie preparation, and several additional modes. Its 100 presets, 50 memory slots, integrated temperature probe, four rack positions, and included accessories make it a model worth evaluating for households that want more flexibility than a basic air fryer provides.
Its practical value depends on how often those extra functions will be used. The oven-style capacity can accommodate different cooking arrangements, but the 26-pound listed weight and required countertop space make it less convenient for kitchens that need an appliance to be stored away after every use.
Before buying, verify the conflicting temperature and wattage specifications, confirm the package’s accessory list, and make sure the 120V electrical rating is appropriate for your location. Also review the current warranty information, since the supplied listing directs customers to manufacturer customer service rather than specifying a complete warranty term.
For a household that regularly prepares varied meals and can dedicate space to a multifunction countertop oven, the Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt is a product worth comparing with other large-capacity air fryer ovens.
Check the Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer on Amazon
Review the current listing for the latest product details, availability, included accessories, and purchase terms.
View on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
