Available to buy here:
Welcome back to Reviews Inside TV! Today we’re looking at the Nuwave 8QT Brio Plus Air Fryer in the Cool Gray finish — a large‑capacity digital air fryer that claims to deliver crispy, low‑oil fried food, with a host of smart features. It’s a kitchen appliance I’ve been testing for a few weeks, and I’ll walk you through how it performs, what stands out, and whether it’s worth your money.
The Brio Plus is an 8‑quart air fryer designed for families or for cooking larger quantities of food. It features a digital LED touch screen with a cool‑white display, temperature control from 50 °F up to 400 °F in precise 5‑degree increments, three wattage settings (700, 1,500 and 1,800 W) to suit different power supply situations, and 100 pre‑programmed menu presets plus 50 user memory slots. It uses what the manufacturer calls “Linear T” temperature control technology, intended to maintain consistent heat throughout cooking. The unit also includes a PFAS‑free nonstick ceramic‑coated pull‑out basket and circulation riser, described as dishwasher‑safe for easier cleaning. Some of the pain points it aims to solve: getting crisp “fried” textures without large volumes of oil, cooking from frozen without defrosting, providing large capacity for families, and giving precise control (rather than generic “air fry” buttons). The basket safety mechanism automatically pauses cooking when pulled out, and resumes when closed, which addresses concerns about safety and mishaps.
Setting it up was straightforward — unbox, plug in, choose a wattage setting (I used the full 1,800 W setting for best performance), then select temperature and time on the touchscreen. In my first test I cooked a large batch of frozen fries straight from the freezer at 400 °F for 18 minutes (shaking halfway) and achieved a crisp golden exterior and soft interior. I then tried skin‑on chicken thighs: set to 375 °F for 22 minutes, and used a preset, then manually adjusted time by two minutes because I like a darker crisp. That worked well; the basket size easily accommodated four thighs. Because of the 8‑quart capacity you can cook quite a lot in one go — I tested cooking a whole small roast chicken (~3.5 lb) and it fit comfortably with air circulation around it. Cleaning was convenient: the non‑stick ceramic basket released most residue easily; though I found the riser still required a soak for baked‑on bits after wings. The touchscreen is responsive and the cool‑white digits are easy to read even under kitchen lighting. On the weaker side, when using the lower 700 W setting (to simulate RV/dorm power) the cooking time needed to be extended significantly — for example the frozen fries took 25 minutes instead of 18. So if you’re using the lower wattage setting expect longer cook times. Also, while the 100 presets are handy, I found many of them generic; I ended up customizing and saving my own. For very small quantities (e.g. one or two pieces of fish) the basket size feels oversized — you may not get optimal crisp unless you shake more often or reduce time. Additionally, while the ceramic non‑stick coating is good, it doesn’t match the “zero‑stick” level of high‑end coatings, so heavier frying (e.g. sugary glazed wings) required more effort to clean.
From what I saw, the build feels solid: the exterior housing is firm, the basket slides smoothly, and the safety interlock (pauses when basket is removed) works reliably. I haven’t had it long enough to speak to long‑term durability, though reviews from other users show consistent performance and no widespread reports of failure — the brand has a decent reputation for mid‑tier air fryers. On customer support I didn’t have to contact them directly, but the manufacturer offers a one‑year limited warranty and users report responsive service for replacement parts or queries. So I’ll say the support is acceptable for this category.
Thinking about value for money: given the features (large capacity, full digital interface, broad temperature range, multiple wattage settings, PFAS‑free non‑stick, 100 presets, 50 memory slots) it offers good value for families or enthusiastic air‑fryer users. If you compare with alternatives like the COSORI Air Fryer 4.7 L 9‑in‑1 (which has smaller capacity and fewer features) or some premium models from other brands, the Brio Plus hits a sweet spot. If you only need a small unit for one or two people, then you’d be paying for capacity you don’t use. But for four‑six people it aligns well. In comparison it stands out for capacity and flexibility; alternatively, for similar price you might find a dual‑basket model with two cooking zones, which Brio Plus doesn’t offer.
In direct comparison to a couple of competitors: For example the COSORI 4.7 L is much smaller and lacks the three wattage setting for low‑power environments; on the other hand, a dual‑basket air fryer (from another brand) might cost slightly more but provide two cooking zones so you can cook two foods simultaneously at different temperatures — something the Brio Plus cannot inherently do. If simultaneous multi‑zone cooking is a priority, that competitor might be more appealing; but if you prioritise one large chamber with flexible presets and wattage selection, the Brio Plus holds its own.
In summary: the Nuwave 8QT Brio Plus delivers on its promises of capacity, digital precision, and healthier “fried” cooking with minimal oil. It performs very well in real‑world tests, handles large batches easily, and the user interface adds a feeling of control. The weaknesses — slightly longer times at lower wattage, oversized chamber for tiny batches, and non‑stick that is good but not flawless — are relatively minor in the context of its strengths. My recommendation: If you’re cooking for a family, or you frequently use an air fryer for full meals (not just snacks), and you value versatility and capacity, this is a smart buy. If your usage is light, for one or two people, or you specifically require dual zones, you might consider alternatives. Thanks for watching Reviews Inside TV. Check the comments box for the link to grab this unit, feel free to drop your questions or share your experience if you already own it — and I’ll catch you next time on Reviews Inside TV — crunching right into what matters!
Available to buy here:
