Panasonic 4-in-1 Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven NN-CD88 Review

Price when assessed

Currently not available in the US

For those who find on self -containing air frituses on the small side, there are countertop ovens that are a more spacious alternative, but may have limited use. Panasonic is not satisfied with simply frying the air on an oven grill and has made the 4-in-1 Combi-Microgolf air frituse NN-CD88.

The four functions – microwave, convection, grill and eternal – translate into a countertop that is as versatile when they come. In addition to an air party basket that fits up to 900 g of chips, it has a 34-liter cavity, enamelade for scheduling and five combi cookers that combine microwave for speed with conventional heat or grilling for crispy and crunch. Moreover, there is a built -in sensor, so it will not dry out a warmed dinner.

You can see how this model accumulates against our top recommendations in our summary of the best air fryes we have tested. We also have recommendations for the best dual-air frituse, the best Ninja Air Fryers and the best air frames in general.

Design and construction

• Stainless steel build
• The open door is hanging a standard countertop
• Dishwasher-Safe Accessories

Although Panasonic designs the NN-CD88, apparently 15% smaller than conventional combi ovens, there is no way from the fact that it is still quite large (H34.3 x W56 x D45CM).

Placed on a standard 60 cm-deep work surface, when the door is open, it is overhang and there is limited space at the front to place dishes. It is also heavy at 18 kg, so it is best to choose a place to live and leave it behind. On the positive side, if you do not have the kitchen sink, it can be built into kitchen cabinets.

It is spacious on the inside, with a 34-liter cavity, 36 cm turntable and glaze drawer of similar size, grid and air chances basket. The accessories are dishwashing sealing, although hand washes are recommended for the airhouse basket.

Both the outside and the interior are covered in stainless steel – making it more hygienic and easier to keep clean than comparable models. It is not surprising that packing so many functions has led to a pretty confusing control panel that is not out of the quick start guide and basic instructions.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

An LED display goes a way to guide the user, but it is far from extensive. The main button, for example, serves many goals, from changing settings to re -heating, while the Air Fry button also offers combination programs as soon as it is pressed a few times.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Performance and functions

• Lack of extensive guidelines for car programs
• Quick Start Guide Handy for Basics
• Only three air party temperatures

For testing, I focused primarily on the combi and air-frituur functions of the NN-CD88, partly because the Quick Start guide focuses on it, and also because the trusting is a lot of what distinguishes the simple microgrill.

As a device with multiple functions and presets, I was surprised about the lack of guidance in the box – the quick start guide, stickers on the machine and simple instructions do not relate to the automatic programs (there are 30) or how they use, or suitable weights for combi cooking. This means that guesswork is involved if you do not download the full instructions, and you may not be able to get the most use of it without them. Instead, you will be largely led by the display.

The Quick Start Guide is useful for the basic principles, with regard to which accessories can be used for which type of cooking and recommended temperatures for daily foods. I especially loved the option for heating one button, which uses the moisture in the cooking zone to adjust the microwave power and time and used it several times during the test period.

In contrast to an isolated air fryer, the air fritia only offer three temperatures – 180 ° C, 200 ° C and 220 ° C – although you can control the timer from minute to minute. While it is cooking, you can add and subtract minutes, which is handy if it looks like food needs more or less time.

I started cooking frozen hashbruins with the help of air fruit and the grid. Since there was no suggestion for settings for frying air frozen – a general use – I chose 15 minutes 200 ° C. After the time had passed, they were quite soft, so I gave them another five minutes. This time the browning was better and they were crispy on top but still soft below.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

Then I opted for one of the combination programs (with the help of microwave power and convection) that was recommended for chips completely again, using the air opportunity basket on the rack. The time suggested 7-9 minutes, which felt too short for this type of dish, so I increased it to 25 minutes at a temperature of 220 ° C.

There was no suggestion to turn the chips, but halfway through that I did. I liked that the basket was deep enough to give the content a good shake, which is more practical than turning tongs, and that none of the potato held on to it. However, the finished chips were a mixed bag, with many pale pieces and most of them soft. Some were good brown and crispy, but most of them would have benefited from a longer period of time.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

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I also cooked a roast chicken with the help of another of the Combi programs and the glaze drawer. This used a lower temperature of 200 ° C, but the proposed timing varied from 40-60 minutes without an idea of ​​the bird’s weight. I chose an hour for a chicken of 1.5 kg, which easily fit in – the space was suitable for a larger one.

There was a lot of spitting and splashing during cooking, making the interior messy and then ran a considerable amount of fat/juice in the tray. The chicken had a golden brown bustling skin and was cooked very well, without pink leftover – but the wings and drumsticks were exaggerated and dry. This could have benefited from less time.

Price and availability

This combi oven is available in the UK from Amazon and Panasonic for £ 379.99. It is not yet available in the US, but you can buy the similar, earlier NN-CD87 model, that as the same capacity and functionality but somewhat different functions, again from Amazon and Panasonic for $ 499.99.

If this is not the right model for you, view the competition in our round of the best air fryes.

Do you have to buy the Panasonic Combi Microwave Air Fryer oven?

In general, the Panasonic 4-in-1 Combi Microwave Air Fryer Oven NN-CD88 is a good package: there are many cooking options, some of which are time-saving, and the accessories and interior were easy to clean.

However, it is likely that you have to test and adjust your favorite recipes for the best results, especially if you switch from an isolated air fryer – nothing of what we cooked came as expected.

On the positive side there is sufficient functionality for the Combi Micro to supplement or replace a head oven, to work as an air frye and a solo microwave, making it a decent purchase for busy kitchens and sharp chefs.