Flavor Wave vs. Nu Wave
Which to buy? Yes, that is the question.
When the Flavor Wave came out in 2000, I did purchase one. Now, the Nu Wave looks almost identical to the original Flavor Wave model.
The Nu Wave also has the same drawbacks as the original Flavor Wave model. The one, most over riding concern you will discover with these machines is the clean-up. No joke.
Here is why: Look closely at the bottom drip pan in the Nu Wave. It is a circular pan about 1" deep and approx 12" in diameter. It is coated with non-stick to make clean-up easier. Watch out. That coating is absolutely micro-thin and starts to peel off after the third use. The other clean-up item is the rack itself. Same problem. Food then sticks to the rack and clean up is a absolute drudge. You bought this thing to make your kitchen life easier. Not this. Cooking spray does not help much. (I use my machine to cook hot wings alot.)
Do both machines cook like on the infomercial? YES. Love it. Especially the frozen (I forgot to defrost before going to work and leave it on the counter) steaks! (IF your dieting low carb, this thing is a frozen steak or frozen hockey puck hamburger cooking dream.)
I have even found it cooks those crescent rolls from a tube very well. (Many compliments at Thanksgiving.)
These newer machines now include a bright halogen bulb to brown and crisp foods. Very nice.
I would rate each machine about dead even in terms of cooking and such, but the clean-up and sticking food problem will be your determining factor.
Flavor Wave, now advertising with Mr. T, has clearly learned from their earlier models. The lower portion is now a plexiglass bowl and can try to clean it's self, or just put into dishwasher. IMHO this single factor for ease of cleaning makes it the winner. If you put the metal bottom pan in the dishwasher, the plastic tines on the dishwasher rack will scratch off the coating on the pan during washing.
Also, the rack for Flavor Wave appears to be stainless steel, not the same black one that they used in the past (and NuWave is using now). Cleaning that old black rack SUCKS! Like to clean your outdoor grill surface? Same thing.
I hope my experience with the original Flavor Wave (which the NuWave appears to be identical to) is benificial for you.
Go with the glass bowl Flavor Wave (Mr. T) product. In the end, I believe you will be happier.
~ Usual disclaimer: I have nothing to do with either company. No financial incentive, yada, yada, yada. I have owned the original Flavor Wave (which looks like the NuWave now) for 5+ years now and am going to buy the updated version (glass bowl). The task of clean up was so discouraging, I really stopped using it alot. Nice to see the new updated version. Don't get suckered by the NuWave or you'll be doing alot of cleaning. The NuWave is a good cooker. However, All that oils and grease from your food really does come out. (and then burns onto that metal bottom pan and rack.) I want convenience- in cooking, and clean up.
My .02