DREO ChefMaker Combi-Oven Review - What I Love and Where it Comes Up Short

In this video, I put the ChefMaker Combi-Oven by DREO through an honest, objective review, including a head-to-head battle with my ANOVA precision oven. Does it really take the guesswork out of making restaurant quality meals?

DREO provided me with a ChefMaker in exchange for this review, but as you'll see, that in no way affects my disclosure of what I consider to be some of this unit's shortcomings.

Enjoy $150 off the regular ChefMaker price of $359 using my code: SeriKeto (change to this code at checkout if the $140 coupon code auto-applies)

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:25 Unboxing and set-up
3:46 My first steak using the "Perfect Steak" preset
7:18 Rib-eye
9:49 Wings - ChefMaker vs ANOVA Precision Oven
12:06 Other features
13:16 Summary

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[mark]

Thanks for the honest review. I can always count on you to tell it the way it is.

[rsawyer]

Nice review Steve!

I absolutely love my Chefmaker. I picked it up during the kickstarter for 40% off and it's been one of my favorite small appliance purchases ever. Being able to have a moderately decent steak when I don't feel like cooking is awesome. Obviously it's not close to what you get with a hard sear in a cast iron or grill but it does the job in a pinch. I have to say that I've had it for like a year and they've continued to add new features and cooking modes which is really awesome too. The regular $350 price is probably too high for many, and I can't blame them, but the current sale price is pretty close to what I got mine for and I think it's a good deal.

Totally agree with your issues. The basket isn't that big and the bottom of the steak is NEVER seared the way you want it to be. I typically pop it out and hit it with the blowtorch for a minute or two to get a bit better sear all around. I created a couple of cooks with the creative cook mode but haven't really spent a ton of time experimenting with it. Looking forward to seeing your results!

[CindyK]

Congrats on your Dreo! My husband got in on the launch of it (kick starter) and because of another Youtuber trying it and loving what it did for steaks, lamb and ribs. I've been using it for steaks mostly and got rid of our Sous Vide machine. The probe feature is very handy, I now have 3 air fryers which the other is a combo and much bigger ( I.P. Omni) and the other is regular size in our RV for the road.

[gyoung]

Thanks, Steve. Don’t think I’m impressed enough to replace my current Ninja, but, as always, appreciate the review!

[theastewart]

Hi Steve. Thanks for a great review. Looking forward to seeing what else you do with this machine!😊

[SCash-rlee]

Even though I don't have the counter space for any additional gadgets/appliances, I still really enjoy watching reviews on new products. Even if I had the counter space, we're feeding 2 adults and 3 teenagers, so this would not work for us. But maybe in future they'll come out with a more family friendly model. They have some nice features and I liked how juicy all the meats turned out.

[terrybrinkman]

We LOVE our Dreo!! We find the wait time to calculate the cook is well worth the wait. We cook our second batch of wings while we eat the first batch 😄. There are two of us. We do ribeye, and pork chops (sous vide) are the Best!

[RonJDuncan]

I held off from getting an air fryer for years until the DREO came out and I got in on the day 1 offering for $199 though kickstarter. For the price and all it does, the positives far outweigh the negatives, especially as they keep updating the software with new recipes. I do wish they had manual steam control though.

Given the APO is still two to three times the price (depending on when sales are going on) and my budget won't support it, pulse the larger size it is (that I don't have space for) I'm very happy with the purchase.

[qcat]

An honest review, always—Thank you! I had never heard of this brand before now. 👍🏻

[kenfischer]

Just bought it for a final price of for the discount code and of course your other amazing videos....have been watching your videos since I started KETO in June.

[stormet]

I bought an Instantpot Vortex Pro a few years ago, mainly because of the window. I need to see what is happening inside. It works well. If I didn't already have an air fryer with a window, I'd buy the DREO.

[randombrokeperson]

Oh dang, wish I had seen your video day before yesterday. I purchased one and got the $140 off. I’m excited to get it! Thanks for a great review video - there was no fluff, just great talking points

[Lowellian]

$208 with extra 5% off on their site us a great price! Thanks Steve 🎉

[Sunny_Chronicles]

That's not a bad price with the coupon code. Only thing I see about it that I wouldn't like is the non stick coating because of the PFAs. Ceramic coating would be better for me. Thanks for the review Steve

[ellieb]

Looking forward to your thoughts Steve. I cook all my steaks from frozen in the Dreo using Broil/450 flipping every 5-8 until they are defrosted. Once it defrosts I pop the probe in and continue cooking. That gets me the crust I think you are looking for. My only regret about the Dreo is the Teflon. I had never owned anything that was nonstick before buying my first air fryer about 2 years ago and now I own 3 nonstick air fryers that we use nearly every day. I hope they do a redesign on a later model. I'm always on the lookout for ceramic or fully stainless options. Agree on your size assessment. Hubby and I have to split steaks or the air can't get around the food.

My dad LOVES doing salmon in his. Says it was worth the price of admission just for the fish alone. Oh and pork tenderloin is wonderful in it. That was a new option added a few updates in. Thanks for the video!

[keckojones]

Great review. I’ve been eyeing this unit for a long time

[RedSapphires]

As always, I appreciate your honest reviews. Those steaks did look good, despite any issues.

[gabrielsyt]

Good review Steve. That looks like a good oven watching your results.

[nGeneva]

Love my Dreo. Try this on your wings: use 1 or 2 eggs with a splash of heavy cream and a splash of water. Pour pork panko into a pie dish and season as you like (we use smoked paprika and dry chili peppers to kick it up a notch). Dip the wings/dummies into the heavy cream and roll them in the panko. I air fry them for 12 min on the 1st side, flip and cook another 10min. PERFECTION!!

[georgemaurice]

I have the unit but very much appreciate your review and comments