Does anyone have one of these things and what do you think about it? I’ve always thought flashbake is a good idea, and these incorporate that (halogen light baking element) in combo with some other techniques so appear to be the closest one can get to the real thing in a consumer-grade appliance.
Does GE own the technology?
I was stunned by the prices for a glorified microwave.
I learn new stuff everyday.
1 Like
It’s far more than a “glorified microwave,” presumably. It can cook/bake just about anything, supposedly better than most if not all other consumer ovens. Even steak. Nothing at all like a microwave, which isn’t in the same universe.
What I want to know is, does anybody with experience owning/using one have anything to say about how well it actually works.
GE originally developed the technology for residential application, but sold its appliance business to Haier several years ago when they exited most consumer businesses. It is now a separate company called GE Appliances and is owned by Haier. Most production, certainly the big stuff, is still in the same GE locations in the US, starting with Louisville. IIUC, Haier continues the use of the GE name and other trademarks such as “Profile,” “Monogram,” and “Cafe” under licensing authority from GE.
1 Like
Interesting cookie segment.
1 Like
Yes, lots of YouTube videos available. That particular one is an older version of the oven (video from 2015) but I assume the guts of the thing are similar. Newer ones have a slick touch screen thingy rather than the knobs and buttons.
Part of my interest in this is my existing double wall oven (2005 Jenn-Air) is showing its age and I’m thinking I may need to replace it one of these days. The oven set shown in the video seems to be a good way to go, and since I also don’t have a good place to put a microwave the microwave capability of the GE product might help with that too, just as a side issue.
2 Likes
We had an over-the-range Advantium oven/hood installed when we renovated our kitchen in the early 2000’s, played around with the speed bake/broil/convection oven features for a bit but I don’t think it’s been used as anything over than a microwave for the past 15 years. The biggest issue we’ve had is the handle breaking off, which has happened 2 or 3 times. The attachment points for the handle on our model are plastic and due to the heat from being located over the range top that plastic deteriorates over time and eventually fails. Last time that happened I added some washers to spread out the stress over a larger area and that seems to have solved the problem but you’d think they would have thought of that when they were designing the thing.
2 Likes
It’s been around for almost a decade (first introduced in early 2014, I believe) and has yet to really catch on.
That by itself must say something about the system and technology.
1 Like
Good point… plus I can’t help but notice there are very few reviews on YT from real owners, most being from GE or other entities that sell them.
Given the price point, and GE’s less than stellar reputation for reliability, and having to learn a whole new way to cook via the speed (halogen) mode, I am not sure it is a good choice.
I watched that video and I just didn’t see what was so special about it. Yeah, it’s fast, which is nice, I guess…
I have a countertop oven that uses similar tech to the Advantium “speed” (halogen) mode. It does a number of things way better than a conventional/convection oven (and fast), especially pizza cooking/reheating/crisping… same for toasts, fries, and just about anything from frozen or refrigerated leftovers you want to heat with a crisp. Thin proteins and veggies also come out well, but you will need to re-think how you cook them.
You can buy something like this for $100-200 instead of dumping 4 grand on an Advantium that integrates the functionality into a microwave/convection wall oven.
1 Like
What halogen countertop for $200 do you have?
Panasonic Flash Xpress
2 Likes
Well, it’s a toaster oven that’s infrared not halogen, and the infrared only broils top down. So it’s a limited appliance. Panasonic has another oven (Homechef 4 in 1) that sells for closer to $500 but it’s also infrared not halogen. Seems like a good appliance but wouldn’t replace a wall oven.
Checked into this a few years ago in advance of a kitchen remodel. It was hard to get information on this oven, as the sales reps didn’t have experience with it, and weren’t exactly pushing it. The independent research I did seemed to indicate it was great for frozen prepared foods primarily, but with some other uses. We took a pass on it, I will be interested to see if the technology takes off. Looked at it 6 years ago, perhaps improvements have been made since then and there is more enthusiasm for it now. Yes, expensive too.
1 Like
I passed on an Advantium the last time I ordered an above-the-range hood and microwave. I just got a combo microwave and convection oven instead. As for GE reliability - the microwave died 4 months after install - warranty repair guy came out, ordered a new motherboard, came back 3 weeks later with the new part, installed it … and it did not work. He said that GE sometimes ships out defective replacement parts, so he reordered again, finally got a board that worked. In the meantime of course I purchased a tiny dorm sized counter microwave to reheat stuff. Meh to GE. And Meh to kitchen aid too, but that’s another story. I replaced all my kitchen appliances at once and had a 50% failure rate.
2 Likes
That’s really disheartening, but not surprising, sadly. We’ve had appliance failures before, sometimes just after the warranty expires. I hate like hell to buy the extended policies, but feel forced into it because of defective parts and poor engineering. Why reward a company for bad products?
Had a wine fridge that gave up the ghost after only 2-3 years, it would have been more expensive to repair than replace. We upgraded the brand, and yeah, got the extra insurance. When I expressed dismay that the appliance would wind up in the landfill, the tech promptly said all defective stuff goes on barges, back to the country of origin, where the parts are stripped & used again! Makes you wonder about other things, where safety is important.
I replaced my new, failed, KitchenAid fridge after only 3 years -with a Bosch. That was all that was available immediately to fit my space; bought an extended warranty.
1 Like
Hope your Bosch works out for you, but very smart to buy the extended coverage! We replaced a GE dishwasher with a Bosch about 4 years ago - so far so good! But failed to get an extended warranty - stupid! Thought we did, but no!
Evidently it makes good sense to buy extended warranties these days. I have a KitchenAid dishwasher that I haven’t turned on in 2 1/2 years (thanks, covid). I’m afraid to do it now. …
I hear you on the fear to turn your DW on! Yep, gotta get the extended warranties - dang!
