DREO ChefMaker Combi Fryer

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The DREO ChefMaker Combi Fryer takes a more considered approach to countertop cooking than a conventional air fryer. Rather than relying only on hot circulating air and a timer, it brings together temperature sensing, controlled moisture and guided cooking programmes to help take some of the guesswork out of preparing meat, fish and everyday meals.

It is a fairly substantial appliance, with a solid stainless-steel appearance, a large viewing window and a bright touchscreen that makes it feel closer to a compact smart oven than a basic drawer-style fryer. The clever part, though, is what happens during cooking: the ChefMaker can monitor internal food temperature, adjust the cooking process and introduce moisture when needed, aiming for food that is properly cooked inside without simply blasting the outside with heat.

Why it works in a smart kitchen

The strongest reason to consider the DREO ChefMaker is that its technology has a clear purpose. The temperature probe measures what is happening inside the food, while the appliance adjusts the cooking process rather than leaving you to rely entirely on preset times.

That matters most with foods where the difference between underdone and overcooked can be surprisingly small. Chicken, steak, fish and thicker cuts of meat benefit from being cooked to an internal temperature rather than simply spending a fixed number of minutes in hot air.

The water-atomisation system adds another useful layer. By introducing controlled moisture during selected cooking programmes, the ChefMaker aims to keep the centre of the food from drying out while still allowing the exterior to brown and crisp.

It also makes sense for a connected kitchen because the intelligence is built around cooking rather than novelty. The touchscreen guides you through settings clearly, while app connectivity gives you another way to follow the process without hovering over the worktop.

The result is an appliance that feels genuinely smarter than a conventional air fryer. It still does the everyday jobs you would expect, but its more advanced features are there to solve familiar cooking problems rather than simply add another screen to the kitchen.

What it feels like to use

The ChefMaker feels more substantial than a basic basket air fryer. The stainless-steel detailing gives it a reassuring weight and solidity on the worktop, while the large viewing window lets you check progress without constantly opening the drawer and losing heat.

The touchscreen is one of its nicer everyday details. It is bright, clear and easier to live with than a row of tiny buttons and cryptic symbols. Selecting a cooking mode, choosing the food and following the prompts feels deliberate rather than fiddly.

Using the temperature probe changes the experience most. Instead of repeatedly pulling out the basket, cutting into meat or guessing whether the centre is ready, you can let the appliance monitor the internal temperature as it cooks. There is still some preparation involved, but once everything is set up, the process feels noticeably less hands-on.

The water tank adds another small job before certain ChefMaker programmes, although it is hardly difficult. In return, the appliance can manage moisture as part of the cooking cycle, which is particularly appealing with thicker meats and foods that can become dry when exposed to intense circulating heat.

There is also something pleasantly reassuring about being able to see the food through the front window. You still hear the fan and the usual rush of hot air associated with this type of appliance, but visually the ChefMaker feels calmer and more controlled than repeatedly opening a conventional air-fryer drawer to see what is happening.

The drawbacks

The ChefMaker is clever, but it is not the sort of appliance I would recommend to someone who simply wants the quickest possible way to cook frozen chips. Its extra technology brings more capability, but it also makes the whole experience slightly more involved than a basic drawer-style air fryer.

The first consideration is size. This is a fairly substantial countertop appliance, and although the 6-quart basket is useful, the body takes up a noticeable amount of worktop space. In a smaller kitchen, that matters. It is not particularly heavy to move occasionally, but it feels solid enough that most people will probably want to leave it out rather than keep lifting it in and out of a cupboard.

There are also more parts to think about. The temperature probe needs positioning correctly, the water tank needs attention when using the moisture-assisted programmes, and the smarter cooking modes take a little longer to understand than simply choosing 200°C and setting a timer. None of this is difficult, but it does mean the ChefMaker rewards people who are willing to use its features properly.

Independent testing has also found that the unit can run hotter than its selected temperature. That does not make it unusable, but it means there may still be some trial and error when adapting familiar recipes, particularly if you are moving over from a conventional oven or another air fryer.

The 6-quart capacity is another point worth considering. It is generous for one or two people and perfectly workable for many everyday meals, but larger households may find themselves cooking in batches. The appliance looks substantial, so it is worth remembering that the usable basket space is not quite as enormous as the exterior might suggest.

Finally, the ChefMaker makes most sense if you will actually use the probe, guided cooking and moisture control. If those features sound unnecessary, a simpler air fryer will be easier to operate and take up less mental and physical space in the kitchen. The extra technology earns its keep only when you make use of it.

Who it suits best

The DREO ChefMaker is best suited to someone who likes the convenience of an air fryer but wants more control over the final result. It makes particular sense for people who regularly cook chicken, steak, fish or thicker cuts of meat and would rather rely on internal temperature than guesswork.

It also suits a kitchen where countertop appliances are expected to earn their space. The ChefMaker can handle straightforward air-frying jobs, but its real appeal is being able to move beyond basic crisping and take a more guided approach to cooking.

Anyone who enjoys technology but dislikes pointless gimmicks should also appreciate it. The probe, moisture system and cooking programmes all have a practical job to do, and they work together rather than feeling like unrelated features added for the sake of specification sheets.

For one or two people, or a smaller household that cooks proper meals several times a week, the 6-quart capacity should feel comfortable. Larger families can still use it, but they may occasionally find themselves working in batches.

It is probably less suitable for someone who wants the simplest possible air fryer, rarely cooks meat from scratch, or has very limited worktop space. In that situation, much of what makes the ChefMaker interesting would simply go unused.

Is it worth the worktop space?

For the right kitchen, yes. The DREO ChefMaker earns its place by doing more than simply circulating hot air around a basket. Its temperature probe, moisture-assisted cooking and guided programmes give it a genuine reason to exist alongside, or even replace, a more basic air fryer.

The biggest advantage is confidence. Being able to cook to internal temperature rather than relying entirely on timing makes it particularly appealing for meat, poultry and fish, where a few minutes can make the difference between juicy and dry.

It is not the smallest or simplest appliance you could choose, and anyone who only wants quick frozen food would be paying for technology they may barely touch. But if you enjoy cooking from scratch and like the idea of an appliance quietly managing more of the difficult parts for you, the ChefMaker feels well thought through rather than overcomplicated.

The solid build, clear touchscreen and large viewing window also help it feel like something designed to stay on the worktop rather than disappear into a cupboard after a few weeks.

For a smart kitchen where useful technology matters more than novelty, the DREO ChefMaker is an easy product to recommend.If you purchase through the link below, Gizrpt may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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