It’s been over five years since I wrote about my first Breville oven, calling it the perfectly even oven. My test was to pipe a spiral of cream puff pastry to see how it browned and it was perfectly even.
I have been so enamored of this oven, I have since purchased one as a wedding gift and another to have in my weekend home.
A few weeks ago, I discovered the latest model, the Smart Oven Air. When I learned about the extra features this newer slightly larger model offers I had to have it. And I’m totally smitten! I’ve even put it to use for a newly developed terrific technique, which I will share at the end of this posting. First: here are the new features that I most value:
- An oven light that can be turned off or on at will (oh joy!)
- Two oven racks
- A dehydrating setting and mesh basket (I’ll be using this for my citrus powder)
- A proofing setting for bread dough between 80°F/27°C and 100°F°/38°C
(I tested it and it holds true to temperature with no more than 3°F fluctuation.)
Now here is my great new discovery: Anyone who has ever tried to melt white or milk chocolate without stirring it constantly, has learned the hard way that it will seed. This is caused by the milk solids in the chocolate. And there is no way of restoring the little specks of hardened milk solids. But, if you heat the chocolate at 100°F/38°C it will melt gradually to be as smooth as silk. In short, you can place it in a container in the Breville, turn it to the proofing setting, set the temperature to 100°F/38°C, and leave it to melt on its own.
Breville BOV900BSS The Smart Oven Air, Silver