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A full-size kitchen range often feels wasteful when you only need to crisp a tray of fries, bake a 12-inch pizza, or roast a quick weeknight dinner. On the other hand, a compact basket air fryer forces families to cook in multiple batches. In this Midea Flexify Pro review, we examine how model MET26C4AST bridges that gap with a spacious 26.4-quart cavity, 1750-watt graphene-based heating, ten core cooking functions, and four dedicated pizza crust settings. Its rapid heat response, versatile 100°F to 450°F operating range, and four included accessories make it far more adaptable than a standard air fryer. However, buyers must weigh those perks against a large countertop footprint, multi-button controls, and stricter cookware rules than most toaster ovens require.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.8/10 (Recommended with caveats)
Best For: Families, frequent air-fryer users, pizza lovers, and home cooks who want a roomy countertop oven capable of both high-heat crisping and low-temperature dehydrating or slow cooking.
Skip If: You have cramped counter space, primarily cook single servings, or rely heavily on glass and ceramic casserole dishes (which the manual prohibits).
Top Pros: Generous 26.4-quart capacity; responsive graphene heating elements; convenient single-pull French doors; 10 cooking presets plus 4 pizza crust modes; PFAS-free enamel interior with 4 included accessories.
Key Drawbacks: Bulky 17-inch by 16.4-inch footprint; no glass or ceramic bakeware allowed; conflicting 2-minute vs. 3-minute warmup claims on the retail listing.
Bottom Line: The Midea Flexify Pro (MET26C4AST) combines a family-sized 26.4-quart interior, linked French doors, fast graphene heat, and practical accessories in one countertop unit. It serves as an excellent main-oven alternative for everyday meals, provided you measure your counter clearance first and stick to metal bakeware.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Midea |
| Model Number | MET26C4AST (also listed as MET26C4AST-C1) |
| Product Type | French door air fryer toaster oven |
| Interior Capacity | 26.4 quarts |
| Exterior Dimensions | 17 in W × 16.4 in D × 13.8 in H |
| Product Weight | 21.3 lb |
| Electrical Power | 1750 watts, 120VAC, 60Hz (requires dedicated circuit) |
| Temperature Range | 100°F to 450°F (varies by selected cooking function) |
| Heating Technology | Graphene-based rapid heating elements (0.2s response) with top turbo fan |
| Claimed Warmup | Approximately 2 to 3 minutes to 350°F (both figures appear on the Amazon listing) |
| Main Functions (10) | Air Fry, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Keep Warm, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate |
| Pizza Settings (4) | Thin Crust, Classic, Rising Crust, and Deep Dish |
| Capacity Benchmarks | One 12-inch pizza, six slices of toast, 14 chicken wings, or a 5 lb whole chicken |
| Door Design | Dual linked French doors that open simultaneously with a single pull |
| Interior Finish | Grease-resistant, PFAS-free enamel coating |
| Included Accessories | Enamel baking tray, wire baking rack, air fry basket, and removable crumb tray |
| Warranty | 1-year limited manufacturer warranty |
What Is the Midea Flexify Pro?
The Midea Flexify Pro (model MET26C4AST) is a 26.4-quart countertop air fryer toaster oven featuring linked French doors and a digital control panel. It consolidates the functions of an air fryer, toaster oven, convection bake oven, broiler, pizza oven, food dehydrator, reheater, warming drawer, and low-temperature slow cooker into a single stainless-steel housing.
Its signature upgrade over standard coil toaster ovens is its graphene-based heating system. Midea pairs these fast-reacting heating elements with a ceiling-mounted turbo fan that circulates hot air around your food during Air Fry and convection modes. Unlike basic basket fryers that lock you into a single fan speed, the Flexify Pro lets you toggle convection on or off across several cooking modes for finer control over baking and roasting.
Midea designed this appliance for households that need more horizontal tray space than a pod-style air fryer offers, without waiting 15 minutes to preheat a full-size kitchen oven. The interior fits a 12-inch pizza, six slices of bread, or a 5-pound roast chicken, and it ships with the core tray, rack, air fry basket, and crumb tray needed for daily cooking.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Families that regularly cook 12-inch pizzas, whole chickens, six-slice batches of toast, or sheet-pan meals.
- Home cooks who want Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate functions in a single countertop unit.
- Buyers who appreciate one-pull French doors, an interior viewing light, a PFAS-free enamel cavity, and selectable convection.
Skip If
- Your kitchen counter cannot spare 17 inches of width and 16.4 inches of depth plus several inches of ventilation clearance.
- You mostly reheat or air fry single servings and prefer a smaller, easy-to-store basket air fryer.
- You want to bake in Pyrex glass or ceramic casserole dishes, which the Midea manual strictly forbids in this model.
Key Features and Performance Breakdown
Graphene Heating and Warmup Speed
The Flexify Pro uses graphene-based heating tubes with a rated 0.2-second thermal response to power adjustments. That figure does not mean the entire 26.4-quart chamber reaches baking temperature in a fraction of a second. Rather, the heating elements ignite almost instantly and modulate output rapidly when the thermostat adjusts power.
Shoppers should note a minor discrepancy on the Amazon product page: one feature graphic highlights a three-minute warmup to 350°F, while the written description mentions two minutes to 350°F. In practice, you should treat the preheat speed as an approximate two-to-three-minute window rather than a fixed guarantee. Ambient kitchen temperature, rack configuration, and cookware mass all influence how fast the cavity stabilizes.
26.4-Quart Capacity and Countertop Footprint
The 26.4-quart interior is the primary reason to choose the MET26C4AST over a drawer-style air fryer. Because the chamber offers both wide horizontal surface area and multiple vertical rack slots, you can position food closer to the top broiler elements for browning or lower in the cavity for roasting a 5-pound chicken.
That interior volume requires a dedicated spot on your counter. Measuring 17 inches wide, 16.4 inches deep, and 13.8 inches high at 21.3 pounds, the Flexify Pro is too heavy and bulky to haul out of a pantry every evening. You also need clearance under upper cabinets so rising heat and steam do not damage surrounding woodwork.
Before You Buy: Measure your countertop depth, under-cabinet height, and the swing radius of the French doors before ordering. Also remember that the MET26C4AST user manual explicitly warns never to use glass or ceramic pans or lids, and never to put plastic, paper, or cardboard containers inside.
Ten Cooking Functions and Four Pizza Styles
The control panel provides ten primary modes—Air Fry, Pizza, Broil, Toast, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Keep Warm, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate—alongside a dedicated Pizza button that cycles through Thin Crust, Classic, Rising Crust, and Deep Dish presets.
Each cooking mode operates within tailored temperature and timer boundaries so you cannot accidentally run a low-temperature cycle at broiling heat. The table below outlines how the modes divide up everyday cooking tasks:
| Cooking Mode | Temperature Range | Timer / Cycle Range | Best Everyday Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fry | 300°F – 400°F | Standard short-to-medium timer | Wings, fries, breaded snacks, crispy Brussels sprouts |
| Pizza (4 Styles) | Defaults: 400°F (Classic/Rising) or 425°F (Thin/Deep Dish) | Adjustable by crust preset | Frozen or fresh 12-inch pizzas across 4 crust thicknesses |
| Bake & Reheat | 150°F – 450°F | Standard cooking timer | Cookies, sheet-pan meals, pastries, crisping leftovers |
| Roast | 200°F – 450°F | Standard cooking timer | 5 lb whole chicken, pork tenderloin, root vegetables |
| Broil | High direct top heat | Short finishing cycles | Melting cheese, browning salmon fillets, open-faced melts |
| Toast | Preset by shade level | Auto-timed by slice count & shade | Up to 6 slices of bread, bagels, or English muffins |
| Slow Cook | 100°F – 230°F | Up to 8 hours | Braised meats and low-heat simmering in metal Dutch ovens/pans |
| Keep Warm | Down to 100°F | Up to 12 hours | Holding side dishes at serving temperature without drying out |
| Dehydrate | 100°F – 200°F | Up to 24 hours | Dried fruit slices, beef jerky, and garden herbs |
French Doors, Display, and Controls
The dual French doors use a synchronized linkage so pulling either handle swings both doors open together. Unlike a single drop-down toaster oven door—which juts out over the counter and easily catches falling crumbs or drips—the French doors part completely out of the way so you can slide heavy trays straight into the cavity.
Below the viewing windows, the control interface pairs a central selector dial with dedicated buttons for temperature/time adjustment, Start/Pause, Cancel/Power, the interior halogen/LED light, convection fan speed, and pizza crust style. While the interface offers far more precision than a basic two-knob toaster oven, expect to spend a few sessions learning the button sequence.
PFAS-Free Enamel Interior and Cleaning
Midea coats the interior chamber in a durable, grease-resistant, PFAS-free enamel finish. Compared with raw galvanized steel cavities that quickly develop baked-on amber polymer stains, the smooth enamel walls wipe down much more easily with a damp cloth after the unit cools. A slide-out crumb tray sits beneath the bottom heating elements to catch stray bread crumbs and seasoning flakes.
To preserve the coating, let the unplugged oven cool completely and wash the enamel baking tray, wire rack, air fry basket, and crumb tray by hand in warm, mild soapy water. Avoid steel wool, metal scrapers, or harsh oven sprays, as abrasive cleaners can scratch both the enamel lining and the glass doors.
What to Expect in Everyday Use
Weeknight Family Meals
The wide rectangular footprint excels at sheet-pan cooking—such as salmon fillets alongside asparagus, bone-in chicken thighs, or roasted potatoes—that would otherwise pile on top of each other in a round air fryer basket. The built-in cavity light lets you monitor browning through the French doors without repeatedly opening the chamber and losing heat.
Frozen Foods and Air Frying
During Air Fry mode, the ceiling turbo fan drives hot air down through the perforated air fry basket. Midea advertises up to 90% less oil use based on its internal laboratory testing (which Midea notes is compared against a traditional air fryer oven or deep frying, depending on the marketing material). For crisp results, spread fries or wings in a single loose layer, shake or flip halfway through, and slide the enamel baking tray onto the rack below the basket if you are cooking fatty foods like bacon or chicken wings so drippings do not hit the lower heating elements.
Pizza, Toast, and Reheating
Having four distinct pizza presets saves guesswork when switching between a thin tavern-style frozen pie and a thick rising-crust pizza. Thin Crust and Deep Dish both start at 425°F with different timer defaults, while Classic and Rising Crust default to 400°F. You can still fine-tune both time and temperature before or during the cycle.
In Toast mode, you dial in both the number of slices (up to six) and the shade level. Reheat mode spans 150°F to 450°F, giving you a gentle warming option for plated leftovers or a higher-heat crisp cycle that revives soggy pizza slices and fried chicken far better than a microwave.
Low-Temperature and Long-Cycle Cooking
Many countertop air fryer ovens bottom out at 150°F or 180°F and shut off after an hour or two. Because the Flexify Pro drops down to 100°F and runs for up to 24 hours in Dehydrate mode (12 hours in Keep Warm and 8 hours in Slow Cook), it can dry apple rings, preserve fresh herbs, or keep holiday side dishes warm without occupying your main range.
Setup Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Complete the initial 15-minute burn-off: Before cooking food for the first time, wash and dry all four accessories, insert the crumb tray, and run the empty oven on Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes. As the manual notes, protective factory oils on the heating elements may produce light smoke or an odor for 10 to 15 minutes during this initial run—open a window or run your range hood fan.
- Plug into a dedicated 120V circuit: At full power, the oven draws 1750 watts (nearly 14.6 amps on a standard 15-amp household circuit). Running a microwave, coffee maker, or electric kettle on the same circuit at the same time can trip your kitchen breaker.
- Preheat when baking or searing: While preheating is optional for quick air frying, Midea recommends using the preheat cycle for Pizza, Bake, and Roast modes. Wait for the audible readiness beep before loading your tray.
- Leave airflow gaps in the basket: Overpacking French fries or nuggets traps steam and turns breading soggy. Leave breathing room between pieces so the top fan can circulate hot air evenly.
- Shield the lower elements from grease drips: Whenever you air fry marinated meats, sausages, or wings in the mesh basket, place the solid enamel baking tray on a lower rack position or cook directly on the tray to prevent flare-ups and smoke.
- Check food 2 to 3 minutes early: Because graphene elements and forced convection transfer heat rapidly in a compact 26.4-quart chamber, baked goods and roasted meats often finish faster than standard box-recipe instructions state.
Pro Tip: Keep a small notepad or phone note with the exact rack level, time, and temperature that worked best for your favorite frozen pizzas and snacks. Because the graphene tubes react in 0.2 seconds, adjusting a cycle by even two minutes noticeably changes crust browning.
Materials, Cookware Rules, and Safety Notes
Why does the Midea MET26C4AST manual strictly forbid glass and ceramic pans or lids? Countertop ovens with rapid-response graphene and quartz/infrared heating elements place cookware just inches away from intense directional radiant heat. Unlike a large conventional oven where heat diffuses across several cubic feet, close-range radiant elements can create sudden temperature differentials (thermal shock) that may cause glass or ceramic dishes to crack or shatter.
To cook safely and get the longest life from the appliance, follow these cookware and safety guidelines:
- Use approved metal bakeware: Stick to the included PFAS-free enamel baking tray, wire rack, and air fry basket, or use oven-safe aluminized steel quarter-sheet pans, stainless steel skillets, or small cast-iron pans that fit cleanly inside the 12-inch cavity with airflow clearance around the edges.
- Never use glass, ceramic, plastic, or cardboard: Do not place Pyrex dishes, ceramic ramekins, stoneware lids, plastic wrap, paper plates, or cardboard take-out boxes inside the oven, even on Keep Warm or Reheat.
- Always wear insulated oven mitts: Although the exterior handles are designed for safe gripping, the glass French doors, metal racks, and stainless steel outer housing become very hot during extended cooking cycles.
- Maintain countertop clearance: Set the oven on a flat, heat-resistant surface away from curtains, paper towels, and backsplashes. Never rest mail, bread bags, or cutting boards on top of the roof panel while the unit is plugged in.
- Unplug before cleaning: Always pull the plug from the wall outlet and allow the cavity and heating tubes to cool completely before wiping the interior or removing the crumb tray.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Spacious 26.4-quart interior accommodates a 12-inch pizza, six slices of toast, or a 5-pound chicken.
- Ten core cooking functions plus four dedicated pizza crust presets handle everything from dehydrating at 100°F to baking at 450°F.
- Graphene-based heating elements deliver 0.2-second power response and fast two-to-three-minute warmup times.
- Single-pull linked French doors, interior cavity light, and selectable convection fan make loading and monitoring food effortless.
- PFAS-free enamel interior and four included accessories (tray, rack, basket, crumb tray) simplify everyday cooking and cleanup.
Cons
- Large 17-inch-wide by 16.4-inch-deep footprint demands permanent counter space and ventilation clearance.
- Amazon product page displays conflicting two-minute and three-minute preheat claims to 350°F.
- User manual prohibits glass and ceramic pans or lids, requiring buyers to use metal bakeware.
- Digital knob-and-button interface has a slight learning curve and lacks a persistent standby clock display.
Check Current Price on Amazon →
Is It Worth the Price?
The Midea Flexify Pro competes in the mid-tier countertop oven bracket—costing noticeably more than an entry-level four-slice toaster oven or basic basket fryer, but roughly half as much as flagship luxury countertop ovens. Its value proposition rests on consolidation: instead of cluttering your counters with a toaster, a pod air fryer, and a food dehydrator, you get all three alongside a 12-inch pizza oven with graphene heating.
Because Midea bundles the enamel baking tray, wire rack, air fry basket, and crumb tray in the box, you do not need to spend extra money on starter pans. If you cook family lunches and weeknight dinners three to five times a week and have the counter space to leave it out permanently, the MET26C4AST delivers strong everyday value backed by a standard one-year limited warranty.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Before deciding on the Midea Flexify Pro (MET26C4AST), it helps to see how it stacks up against its non-Pro sibling as well as two popular competing countertop air fryer ovens in the budget and luxury tiers:
| Model | Capacity & Doors | Heating & Temp Range | Cooking Modes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea Flexify Pro (MET26C4AST) | 26.4 qt / Single-pull French doors | 1750W Graphene + Top Turbo Fan (100°F–450°F) | 10 main functions + 4 Pizza Crust modes | Fast warmup, pizza crust customization, and PFAS-free enamel cleanup |
| Midea Flexify Standard (MET26C3AST) | 26.4 qt / Single-pull French doors | 1750W 6-tube heating + Convection (100°F/150°F–450°F) | 10 main functions (single standard Pizza preset) | Shoppers who want the same 26.4-qt French door layout at a slightly lower cost |
| Gourmia French Door Air Fryer Oven (GTF7520 / GTF7460) | 24L (approx. 25.4 qt) / Single-pull French doors | 1700W FryForce 360° Convection (90°F–450°F) | 14 to 17 one-touch presets (model dependent) | Budget-conscious buyers seeking French doors and a 12-inch pizza capacity |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) | 1 cubic foot (approx. 30 qt) / Pull-down single door | 1800W Element iQ quartz heating + 2-speed convection (80°F–480°F) | 13 presets (includes Proof, Roast, Air Fry, Dehydrate) | Serious bakers who want a 9×13-inch pan fit, PID temperature control, and luxury build |
- Midea Flexify Pro (MET26C4AST) vs. Midea Flexify Standard (MET26C3AST): The standard MET26C3AST shares the same 26.4-quart capacity, 1750-watt power rating, linked French doors, and ten core functions. Upgrading to the Pro model (MET26C4AST) gets you the faster graphene heating elements, the four specialized pizza crust settings, and the PFAS-free enamel interior finish. Choose the standard model if it is on sale for significantly less and you do not need custom pizza crust modes; choose the Pro for faster heat recovery and easier interior wipe-downs.
- Midea Flexify Pro vs. Gourmia French Door Air Fryer Oven (GTF7520 / GTF7460): Gourmia’s French door ovens are among the most popular budget alternatives. They hold a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast and feature single-pull doors with 14 to 17 presets, but run on 1700 watts without graphene heating elements. Choose the Gourmia if keeping upfront cost down is your top priority; choose the Midea Flexify Pro for higher wattage, graphene heat response, and dedicated pizza crust settings.
- Midea Flexify Pro vs. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS): If you want a premium countertop oven that fits a standard 9×13-inch baking dish or a 14-pound turkey, the 1800-watt Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a top-tier contender with quartz Element iQ heating and a two-speed convection fan. However, the Breville uses a traditional pull-down door rather than French doors and typically costs more than twice as much as the Midea. Choose the Midea for family value and French-door convenience; choose the Breville if you bake heavily and have a luxury budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact model number of the Midea Flexify Pro?
The exact model number is MET26C4AST (sometimes listed with a revision suffix as MET26C4AST-C1). It is the 26.4-quart stainless-steel Flexify Pro French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven featuring graphene-based heating elements and four pizza crust modes.
Does it reach 350°F in two minutes or three minutes?
The Amazon listing contains both figures—stating three minutes in one feature callout and two minutes in the product description. Buyers should treat the warmup speed as an approximate two-to-three-minute window rather than a rigid stopwatch guarantee, as room temperature and tray mass affect preheating.
What food fits inside the 26.4-quart cavity?
Midea states that the 26.4-quart cavity holds one 12-inch pizza, six slices of toast, 14 chicken wings, or a 5-pound whole chicken. When using your own metal pans, check that the handles and rims clear the 17-inch-wide, 16.4-inch-deep exterior housing and allow air to circulate.
Can I use glass or ceramic cookware in this oven?
No. The MET26C4AST user manual explicitly warns never to use glass or ceramic pans or lids inside the oven. Use the included enamel baking tray or compatible ovenproof metal bakeware (such as aluminized steel or stainless steel), and never place plastic, paper, or cardboard containers inside.
What accessories come with the Midea Flexify Pro?
The box includes four accessories: one PFAS-free enamel baking tray, one wire baking rack, one perforated air fry basket, and one removable crumb tray. Inspect all cardboard inserts before discarding the packaging so no tray is accidentally thrown out.
How should I prepare the oven before first use?
Unpack the unit, peel off any promotional stickers, wash and dry all four accessories, and slide the crumb tray into position. Then run the empty oven on Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes to burn off manufacturing residue. Light smoke or odor for 10 to 15 minutes during this first cycle is normal.
Are the oven and accessories dishwasher-safe?
Never immerse the oven housing, cord, or plug in water. Midea recommends hand-washing the included baking tray, wire rack, air fry basket, and crumb tray with warm, mild soapy water and a soft sponge to protect the coatings from harsh dishwasher detergents and abrasives.
How long is the Midea Flexify Pro warranty?
Midea backs model MET26C4AST with a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty from the original date of purchase. Save your itemized receipt and consult the warranty booklet in the box for claim instructions.
The Bottom Line
The Midea Flexify Pro (MET26C4AST) is a smart buy for families and regular home cooks who want a 26.4-quart countertop cavity, responsive graphene heating, ten cooking modes plus four pizza crust presets, and easy-access French doors. Skip it if your kitchen counters are cramped, you mostly heat single portions, or you refuse to give up glass and ceramic baking dishes. For buyers who have the counter space and stick to metal bakeware, it delivers impressive everyday versatility that keeps your main kitchen oven turned off most nights of the week.
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