Surprise use for divisive $35 Kmart item: 'Only use it for this'

Many of us visit Kmart not wanting anything in particular, but waiting for the store to tell us what we need. And often, let's be real, what Kmart tells us we need isn't always the truth.

So when the retailer came out with a $35 Mini Oven, many people were convinced it was something they had to add to their cart. Raul Brian James is one such shopper, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that while the Mini Oven is quite "limited" in its uses, he was "surprised by the functionality" of the product and enjoyed using it.

According to Kmart's product description, the mini oven is "fast and efficient" while being "ideal for smaller kitchens or limited spaces. The website also claims that it "offers convenience without compromising on performance."

While that sounds OK, you need to remember that it is really, really small. Like baking one cookie at a time, small - which is exactly what Raul did.

Kmart shopper reviews $35 Mini Oven

Sharing a review of the mini gadget on TikTok, he demonstrated how it works.

Unfortunately, things didn't start all that well when the small tray he'd hoped to use for the cookie didn't even fit inside the mini oven.

"Guys, this is tiny," he told his followers. "I was going to test it out with this tray, but obviously the tray doesn't fit, so I don't know how I'm going to do this."

He also shared that while there are three settings (defrost, bread and toast) you can't turn up the temperature, and the only real control you have is over the timer, which only goes up to 15 minutes.

Raul put his cookie dough on some baking paper and into the oven, adding that one "issue" he could see was that the oven was really hot on the outside as well as on the inside.

While he enjoyed the cookie, was it really worth all that effort to only come out of it with one?

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'Surprised by the functionality'

Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle, Raul said, "To be honest, I thought it was going to be something I would try and return but I was surprised by the functionality of it.

"Obviously, it’s mini so it’s quite limited with what you can place inside the oven, but it was actually enjoyable to use. It’s something that pretty much sits in my garage space where I can make a quick snack whenever I have some friends over. It’s also loved by my little nieces and nephews."

Raul adds that he has started using it for crafting, rather than food items, telling us, "At first it was only cookies. Sooner after I started to use it for arts and crafts like making clay accessories. Because of that I only use it for creative needs."

He shares that while he recommends the product, he understands why others might not agree, saying, "The aesthetic of all the mini appliances from Kmart are super cute and would benefit someone who doesn’t necessarily need to bake or cook for a number of people. They’re easy to use, but I also understand why people would think the opposite of my review. But they do work and they’re fun to use."

Kmart shoppers react to Mini Oven

Although Raul was pleasantly surprised by the mini over, other Kmart shoppers were left confused by it, with one asking, "Why would anyone want this? How is it practical?"

"I’d get this if it was big enough to make more than one piece of toast or a cookie," another added.

"Wait so it's a tiny air fryer? Cos that's what air fryers are - tiny ovens," a third pointed out.

"Pay the extra $15 and buy an air fryer with temp controls and decent capacity," someone else said.

"What is the purpose of the mini stuff?" yet another asked.

"It’s basically for one piece of toast and maybe melt a little bit of cheese gadget, great if you live alone or are old and have no space but basically it’s another piece of trash that’s going to end up in the bin," one person said. "Just get a full size air fryer."

Other uses for $35 mini oven

Some loved the idea of a mini oven though, with one person saying, "The Kmart mini appliances actually is so good because I live solo, like just cooking for me, no need to use the whole oven."

Many also said they wanted to get it for polymer clay crafts, while others added that the Microwave Toastie Maker would possibly be better to make a single cookie in.

Several people also said the Mini Oven would be good for pies, while others have said it's big enough to toast one hot cross bun at a time.

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"I was looking at one that was on a display near the entrance," one Facebook user shared. "The Kmart lady at the door said that it would be useful to the person who wants to heat up hot cross buns one at a time! No sicker burn than one that comes from a Kmart staff member!"

If you're considering the Mini Oven for caravanning, you're probably better off getting the Mini Air Fryer, as suggested by people living on the road.

"Got the small airfryer from Kmart. Perfect for 2 people if in a van park, and our Honda runs it perfectly also," one person said.

"I highly recommend the air fryer if using at powered sites," another agreed. "Perfect for 1 or 2 people."

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