Kmart is known for its range of budget-friendly products, spanning homewares, fashion, and more. But every now and then, a product comes along that leaves shoppers scratching their heads. The latest item to spark debate? A $35 Mini Oven that has divided opinions across the internet.
While some shoppers are excited about its potential, others are questioning its practicality. But one clever buyer has discovered a surprising use for this pint-sized appliance—one that has nothing to do with food.
Kmart describes its Mini Oven as ‘fast and efficient’, ideal for small kitchens or limited spaces. But there’s one small catch—literally.
This oven is ‘tiny’. We’re talking ‘bake one cookie at a time’ tiny. And that’s exactly what one shopper, Raul Brian James, attempted to do when he first tested it out. Raul shared his experience on social media, demonstrating how the oven works. Things didn’t get off to a great start when he realised the small tray he planned to use didn’t even fit inside. ‘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.’
With only three settings—defrost, bread, and toast—there’s no way to adjust the temperature, and the timer maxes out at 15 minutes. Raul eventually placed his cookie dough on baking paper and popped it in, but he noted another issue: the oven gets extremely hot on the outside, not just the inside. While the cookie turned out fine, Raul was left wondering if it was really worth the effort for just one treat.
Despite its limitations, Raul found an alternative use for the Mini Oven. ‘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,’ he said. ‘Obviously, it’s mini, so it’s quite limited with what you can place inside, but it was actually enjoyable to use.’
Rather than using it for food, Raul discovered that the Mini Oven was perfect for arts and crafts—specifically, baking polymer clay accessories. ‘At first, it was only cookies. Soon 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 explained. Some people saw potential in using the Mini Oven for polymer clay crafts, with some even expressing interest in purchasing it specifically for that purpose.
While Raul found a creative way to repurpose the Mini Oven, other Kmart shoppers weren’t as impressed. ‘Why would anyone want this? How is it practical?’ one person asked. ‘I’d get this if it was big enough to make more than one piece of toast or a cookie,’ another added.
Some pointed out that an air fryer would be a better investment. ‘Pay the extra $15 and buy an air fryer with temp controls and decent capacity,’ one shopper suggested. Others, however, saw the appeal. ‘The Kmart mini appliances are actually so good because I live solo. Like, just cooking for me—no need to use the whole oven,’ one person shared. Some suggested it could be useful for heating up a single hot cross bun or making a quick snack.
Other shoppers suggested that a mini air fryer might be a better option for caravanning or small living spaces. ‘Got the small air fryer from Kmart. Perfect for two people if in a van park, and our Honda runs it perfectly also,’ one person shared.
What do you think about the Kmart Mini Oven? Would you consider using it for arts and crafts or small-scale cooking? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Also read: A visual feast: Kmart launches new collaboration with Indigenous artist
