Two-week test of Tovala's connected oven: convenience wins, but not a home-cooked substitute
A two-week trial of Tovala's smart oven and meal delivery service found it simplifies dinner preparation but doesn't match the quality of a traditional home-cooked meal. The oven scans QR codes on meal packages to automatically adjust cooking modes and temperatures. Meals start at $13.99 per serving, with weekly plans ranging from 4 to 16 servings plus a $10.99 shipping fee.
The Tovala oven lineup includes a standard model at $299 and a Pro version at $349 that adds a steam-cooking function. Beyond its branded meal kits, the device can scan barcodes on common grocery items like frozen waffles and automatically adjust cooking settings. Meal plans range from 4 to 16 servings weekly, with single-serving meals at $13.99 and two-serving options around $8.99 per serving, plus a $10.99 shipping fee.
CEO David Rabie developed the concept after struggling to cook efficiently during business school, noting he spent most of his time pressing buttons on multiple appliances. The oven handles baking, broiling, air frying, toasting, and reheating. The reviewer found meats sometimes lacked proper browning, requiring finishing in a steel pan, though dishes like pineapple shrimp stir-fry cooked well with minimal effort.
This service could appeal to time-pressed professionals and families who want convenience without resorting to takeout or frozen dinners. The subscription model may shift expectations about what constitutes "home cooking," though the premium pricing could limit adoption to higher-income households. It may also influence how consumers weigh cost against convenience in their weekly meal routines, potentially reshaping competition among meal-delivery services.