Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review — easy to use for all kinds of dishes

I'm often torn when it comes to kitchen appliances. On one hand, I want to keep them as simple as possible. On the other, I want them to do as much as possible. Those two goals are sometimes at odds, and I found that with the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer. 

This air fryer does it all. Seriously. Remember when air fryers were pitched as a way to reheat leftovers, make crispy fries, or bake a crescent roll dessert hack? Forget those days completely. This air fryer is basically a substitute for your oven.

But that comes with an interface that's not as simple as choosing between a few different frying modes presets. This is one of the best air fryers as it cooks quickly, cooks accurately, and can cook anything. 

Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review

Wondering how this air fryer is different from an oven? It has three different cook modes: classic, chef, and probe. Each has a different purpose, and there are multiple options within each. 

There's a bit of a learning curve in navigating the light-up interface, but, once you learn the dos and don'ts of using an air fryer, you can set it and forget it.

Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer Specifications

What I Thought of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

My first impression of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer was definitely one of slight hesitation. Between the water tank and all the options on the screen, I was a little apprehensive. I'm used to small air fryers that are a little more straightforward. But, as I read through the guide, I realized that this air fryer was giving me options to make the process easier. And that water tank? That's the game changer between meat that's meh and moist. 

You can absolutely use this for all the air fryer standards. Toss in your Trader Joe's meals, your sweet potato fries, and your Brussels sprouts. But where it excels is cooking meat to perfection. I hate standing over an oven wondering when my chicken is going to be done. But, with this air fryer, it does it all for you. It basically sous-vides your meat to perfection. For someone who's never attempted that on my own, this air fryer is about to elevate my dinner party menus (TBD on whether I'll give away my secret).

Add in the app access in Chef mode, and this air fryer is seriously designed to make your life as easy as possible.

And did I mention the look and footprint? Relative to earlier air fryers, this takes up a small footprint in the kitchen. The sleek look and open window frying basket add to its appeal.

Setting Up the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

I've found that most air fryers are relatively easy to set up, and this was no exception. Take it out of the box, pop the tray into the basket, put the basket into the air fryer, and you're done. There's no true assembly needed, and the ergonomics of this machine are great — the elongated handle makes popping the basket in and out easy.

The water tank was one of the first things I noticed because that's unlike any other air fryer I've tried. It's a small tank, but the air fryer uses it to spray the food in Chef mode and keep it moist. 

Lastly, I played around with the control screen as soon as I turned it on to try to get a sense of what was available. You'll want to pull out the instruction guide here. With so many options, it's helpful to read about the possibilities and understand how to achieve the right type of cooking for each meal.

Using the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

There's something about the touch screen on here that just made the process of testing the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer so fun! Spinning the dial through options and deciding on the right mode for each meal I made felt like a throwback to an easy bake oven — maybe because this little guy can literally do everything?

It also made dishes that often feel like a hassle to make seem so much easier. Like the idea of pulling out a heavy cast iron skillet to make a steak seems unattainable on a Tuesday night, but throwing one in here? Done.

This air fryer also has the amazing versatility of being able to be both crisp and moist. They've changed the game in technology with the various modes and the water spray feature.

Here are two dishes I tried, and how the air fryer performed.

TEST ONE: FRENCH FRIES

My first air fryer challenge is almost always French fries. I want to make something easy so that I will know exactly whether it's done correctly or not. There's no room for interpretation here. I want them crispy. So I tried the Classic mode on air frying. 

First, I was surprised that it heated up almost instantaneously. I thought I'd have a few minutes to get some emails done but, bam, this was ready!

The fries were done in about ten minutes, which is faster than other air fryers I've tried. I'd seasoned them with oil and truffle salt, and they came out to perfection.

TEST TWO: CHICKEN THIGHS

Next, I tried chicken thighs because I wanted to get a sense of Chef mode and understand if this could really keep the meat moist and tender — especially given how perfectly crispy the fries turned out.

In Chef mode, it uses water atomization, convection heating, and a dual-sensing probe to get exactly the right level of done. I found the Chef mode is easier to navigate through the app (again, the touch screen is amazing but a lot at times), and it lets you check in to see where you are in the process.

Compared to how I normally cook chicken thighs — on the stovetop — this was a breeze. I didn't have to be present, hovering over a skillet. Instead, I knew they were being perfectly cooked right in this small yet powerful machine.

And how did they turn out? Perfect. That Chef mode knows what it's doing. They were slightly crispy on the outside but moist on the inside. I've tried a lot of air fryers, but this might be the one that earns a permanent spot in my kitchen.

Cleaning the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer

The trays and basket for the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer are all dishwasher-safe, so cleaning this air fryer is easy peasy. I'll often hand wash these pieces but, realistically, it's better to put them in the dishwasher to get all of the grease off (though that might be a testament to my own cleaning skills — or lack thereof). A quick wipe of the interior with a microfiber cloth and a bit of water and dishwashing liquid.

Should you buy the Dreo ChefMaker Combi fryer?

If you are looking for an air fryer that's plug and play, allowing you time to focus on enjoying your family (or a cocktail!), then the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer could be your answer to low-stress evenings. You can make steak, pork chops, croquettes, or whatever you're craving with the touch of a button. There's no need to worry about closely watching your food — this machine does it all. And, while it's pricey, time is money, right?

Comparisons

If you like the idea of an air fryer with a clear window, but you're a little hesitant at the price tag of the Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer, there's no need to worry. The Gourmia 7-Quart Fry N'Fold Digital Air Fryer gives you several of the same features, multiple cooking and frying options, and it has a clear front window, but it comes in at a much lower price tag. You'll miss a few of the features, like the water tank, but at $79.99 retail, it could be worth it.

How We Test Air Fryers

Dreo sent me this air fryer, and I tested it with several different recipes including air frying, cooking, and reheating leftovers. This is the assessment process when testing air fryers:

Packaging: The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer comes in a double box, which keeps it safe and sound during shipping. Each piece was wrapped to keep it scratch-free, and there was a guide and book included.

Operation: The experience of using the air fryer is considered, which includes how easy the guide is to follow, how easy the controls are to use, and how the air fryer actually performs. I tried various types of food that require a different end result to understand how each feature works.

Ease of use: An air fryer is only as useful as it is easy to use! I looked at the instructions, the simplicity of the operation, how easy the various trays and parts were to use, and how easily I could get food in and out of the air fryer.

Ease of cleaning: I'm only going to use an air fryer if I can clean it relatively easily! I looked at how easy the parts are to clean and whether they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.