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Cooking large family meals quickly without adding tons of extra oil or heating up the whole kitchen can be a daily struggle. The Nuwave Brio Plus Air Fryer aims to solve this with an expansive 8-quart basket, 1800 watts of heating power, and rapid Turbo Convection airflow. While its 150 preset cooking functions and precise temperature range promise consistent results, its larger footprint does not fit every counter setup. This review breaks down its real-world performance, safety features, and daily usability to help you decide if it belongs in your kitchen.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.8 / 10 (Highly Recommended)
Best For: Families, busy home cooks, and meal preppers needing rapid cooking times, large capacity, and fine temperature control.
Bottom Line: The Nuwave Brio Plus delivers powerful airflow and consistent crisping across a generous 8-quart capacity. Its digital preset menu takes a moment to learn, but its speed and chemical-free ceramic coating make it a top-tier daily appliance.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nuwave |
| Model | Brio Plus Air Fryer |
| Capacity | 8 Quarts |
| Power Output | 1800 Watts |
| Temperature Range | 50°F to 400°F (5°F increments) |
| Convection Fan | 6-blade, 4.5-inch high-speed fan |
| Presets | 150 total (100 preprogrammed options) |
| Interior Coating | PFAS-tested non-stick ceramic |
| Safety Features | Auto shutoff, Linear Thermal Tech |
What Is the Nuwave Brio Plus Air Fryer?
The Nuwave Brio Plus is a high-capacity countertop appliance designed to replace traditional deep frying and conventional oven baking. Built around a generous 8-quart basket, it offers ample room to roast a 5-pound chicken, crisp large batches of vegetables, or prepare multi-serving dinners in a single cooking cycle.
Powered by an 1800-watt heating element paired with a 6-blade fan, the Brio Plus relies on high-velocity air convection to circulate heat evenly. Nuwave designed this model specifically for home cooks who desire fine control, offering digital temperature adjustments in precise 5°F increments alongside an extensive library of preprogrammed cooking presets.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Families needing to cook 4 to 6 servings simultaneously.
- Cooks who value precise control over low and high heat (50°F to 400°F).
- Health-conscious users looking for a PFAS-tested ceramic non-stick surface.
Skip If
- You have very limited countertop or low overhead cabinet space.
- You prefer basic mechanical dials over multi-button digital touchscreens.
- You only cook single-portion snacks or small sides.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Turbo Convection Airflow and Heating Power
At the core of the Brio Plus is its Turbo Convection technology. By combining 1800 watts of electrical power with a 6-blade, 4.5-inch fan, heat circulates rapidly throughout the interior chamber. This high air velocity reduces cooking times compared to traditional ovens and ensures food crisps evenly on all sides without requiring excessive amounts of cooking oil.
Digital Touchscreen and Precision Temperature Control
Unlike basic air fryers that only adjust in 10°F or 25°F jumps, the Brio Plus lets you fine-tune heat from 50°F to 400°F in tight 5°F steps. The low 50°F floor works exceptionally well for dehydrating fruit or proofing dough, while the upper 400°F ceiling delivers a deep crunch to French fries and chicken wings. The crystal-clear LED panel displays bright digits, and on-the-fly adjustments let you tweak time or temperature mid-cycle without restarting.
Presets and Program Flexibility
The unit features 150 built-in cooking presets, including 100 preprogrammed settings tailored for common dishes like seafood, frozen appetizers, roasted meats, and baked goods. For custom recipes, you can save your own preferred time and temperature settings directly into memory, eliminating guesswork during busy weeknight dinner prep.
Capacity and Interior Basket Layout
The 8-quart square basket design provides a larger flat surface area than round air fryer baskets. This extra square footage means you can lay out proteins or vegetables in a single layer rather than stacking them, resulting in faster crisping and less frequent basket shaking.
How It Performs in Real Use
Fresh and Frozen Snacks
When cooking frozen foods like fries, mozzarella sticks, or chicken tenders, the high-speed fan quickly renders the exterior crunchy while keeping the inside hot. Fresh vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts brown evenly within 10 to 12 minutes with just a light spritz of oil.
Roasting Poultry and Proteins
The deep 8-quart basket easily accommodates a 5-pound whole chicken or pork tenderloin. Nuwave’s Linear Thermal Technology checks internal temperatures continuously to prevent heat fluctuations, allowing chicken skin to crisp thoroughly without drying out the breast meat.
Baking and Low-Temp Dehydrating
Thanks to the wide temperature spectrum starting at 50°F, you can use the Brio Plus as a food dehydrator for beef jerky, apple chips, or herbs. The steady airflow dries out foods gradually without scorching them.
Meal Prep and Batch Cooking
For meal preppers cooking multiple protein portions or vegetables for the week, the high capacity saves substantial time. You can roast four large chicken breasts side by side in one 18-minute session.
Pro Tip: Preheat the air fryer basket for 2 to 3 minutes before adding proteins or frozen breaded items. Starting with a hot ceramic surface instantly sears the exterior for a crispier crunch.
Before You Buy: Measure your kitchen cabinet clearance before ordering. The 8-quart square body requires dedicated counter width and height, especially when opening the basket drawer fully.
Cooking and Care Tips for Best Results
To maximize performance and maintain the interior ceramic surface over time, keep these operational practices in mind:
- Avoid Overcrowding: Spread food out in a single layer whenever possible. Arranging items flat allows high-speed air to reach every side for maximum crunch.
- Use High-Smoke-Point Oils: Use avocado oil, canola oil, or light olive oil sprays. Avoid aerosol non-stick cooking sprays containing propellants, as they can degrade non-stick coatings over time.
- Shake or Flip Halfway: Flip meats or shake vegetable baskets midway through cooking to ensure even browning across all sides.
- Maintain Clearance: Keep at least 5 inches of space behind the rear air exhaust vent to prevent heat buildup against wall backsplashes.
Material Safety and Non-Stick Coating
Safety is a major priority with kitchen cookers. The Nuwave Brio Plus features a high-grade non-stick ceramic coating on its basket and tray. This surface undergoes extensive testing to confirm it is free from harmful chemicals, including PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Additionally, an automatic shutoff feature stops heating immediately whenever you pull the basket out during operation, keeping your kitchen safe from accidental burn risks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Spacious 8-quart capacity handles family meals and whole chickens.
- 1800W convection heating with a 6-blade fan yields fast, even crisping.
- Wide temperature range (50°F–400°F) in 5°F precision increments.
- PFAS-tested non-stick ceramic basket makes cleanup simple.
- 150 cooking presets reduce prep guesswork.
Cons
- Larger frame requires permanent counter space or tall cabinet storage.
- The extensive preset menu requires a minor learning curve initially.
- High-speed convection fan generates noticeable air humming during use.
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Is It Worth the Price?
Positioned in the mid-to-upper price tier for basket air fryers, the Nuwave Brio Plus offers strong overall value. The inclusion of an 1800W heating system, a 6-blade convection fan, and low-temperature capabilities (down to 50°F) gives it performance characteristics usually restricted to expensive multi-ovens.
If you routinely cook for 3 to 6 people, the time saved by avoiding multiple cooking batches easily justifies the investment. However, if you live alone or have a compact studio kitchen, a smaller 3-quart to 5-quart model may provide better practical utility for your space.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Compared to standard 5-quart air fryers, the Brio Plus provides roughly 60% more cooking surface, preventing overcrowded food layer buildup. Against toaster-oven-style air fryers, this basket model heats up much faster and concentrates air flow more directly over food, yielding a crunchier texture in less time. While toaster ovens offer glass windows for monitoring, the Brio Plus wins on raw convection power and compact cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty period for the Nuwave Brio Plus Air Fryer?
The Nuwave Brio Plus Air Fryer comes with a standard one-year limited manufacturer warranty. This covers defects in materials and craftsmanship under normal household operation.
Can it fit a whole chicken or turkey?
Yes, the spacious 8-quart basket easily accommodates a whole 5-pound chicken or small roast. However, it will not fit a full-sized holiday turkey due to height constraints.
How do I clean the non-stick ceramic basket properly?
Allow the basket and crisping insert to cool completely before washing. Wipe them clean using warm water, mild dish soap, and a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid metal scrubbers or harsh abrasive cleansers to preserve the non-stick ceramic layer.
Is the Nuwave Brio Plus suitable for cooking frozen foods?
Yes, it excels at cooking frozen meals. The combination of 1800 watts and high-velocity convection cooks frozen french fries, chicken tenders, and snacks quickly without requiring extra oil or prior thawing.
Does the Nuwave Brio Plus require preheating before cooking?
While preheating is not mandatory for every dish, running the unit empty for 2 to 3 minutes produces noticeably crispier textures on meats, breaded foods, and fresh vegetables.
What accessories are compatible with the Nuwave Brio Plus?
The unit works with standard 8-quart square air fryer accessories, including multi-layer stainless steel racks, silicone baking pans, liner papers, and grill inserts designed for basket cookers.
Can you adjust the temperature while cooking is in progress?
Yes, you can adjust temperature and cooking time on the fly using the digital touchscreen interface without pausing or resetting your current cycle.
How low does the temperature setting go for dehydrating?
The temperature settings go down to 50°F, allowing you to use the Brio Plus as a dedicated food dehydrator for fruits, herbs, and meats.
The Bottom Line
The Nuwave Brio Plus Air Fryer combines genuine family-sized capacity with top-tier convection airflow and precise digital controls. It is a smart buy for households wanting healthier, faster cooking without sacrificing crispiness. While its physical footprint requires dedicated counter space, its speed and PFAS-tested ceramic interior make it a highly worthwhile kitchen upgrade.
