The Healthy Alternative to Microwaves: Jet Stream Ovens
Scientific research has proven that although microwaves cook food quickly, they release harmful invisible radioactive particles that are hazardous to our health. Many companies have, thus, attempted to create an alternative portable oven for consumers. One such product is the Jet Stream Oven.
American Harvest has created multiple versions of its patented Jet Stream Oven – a portable oven that is said to cook food as quickly as a microwave and with as little electricity as a toaster oven. In 1997, the company merged with NESCO, but continued to roll out newer versions of the oven.
The Competition
The main competition to American Harvest’s Jet Stream Oven is the NuWave Oven and the FlavorWave Oven Turbo. Believe it or not, both the NuWave and FlavorWave are almost identical to each other. They both use halogen bulbs, infrared heat and air circulation to cook food. Both of them, however, suffer from the same problems. First of all, the glass covers easily crack due to the rapid heating and cooling of the ovens. And secondly, the poor quality of the parts used in the ovens is clearly apparent. The halogen bulbs will often burn out, and the electronics will often stop working due to the high amounts of heat from the oven fusing the electronic circuits together.
Both the NuWave and FlavorWave ovens continue to be massively advertised on television as great products, despite their obvious flaws and poor construction. The FlavorWave Oven has even been endorsed by Mr. T (you’d know of him if you ever watched the television series “The A-Team”), which surprises me due to the quality of the ovens. I guess that’s the kind of an effect money has on people.
Suffice it to say, both products really don’t compete at all with the Jet Stream Oven. The concept behind creating the NuWave and FlavorWave ovens was great, but the poor quality of their construction just kills their credibility in the market.
American Harvest Jet Stream Oven
The American Harvest Jet Stream Oven has undergone several design changes throughout the years. There are numerous different models that have been released: JS-1500, JS-2000, JS-2500, JS-3000 and JS-4000T. Here are some pictures depicting how the oven has changed over the past several decades.
JS-2000 Model
One of the earliest models of the Jet Stream Oven was the JS-2000. As you can see, this model has the old analog control design. It’s amazing that it still sells on eBay today for close to $100.00 USD, even though it’s already over 10 years old.
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Published in: Consumer Information
Bren Parks | Feb 9, 2009 | Reply
Oh, HECK yes..this is getting a stumble and a digg from me!
Bren Parks | Feb 9, 2009 | Reply
Oh, HECK yes..this is getting a stumble and a digg from me!
CHAN LEE PENG | Feb 9, 2009 | Reply
Microwave might harm our health. Good job here.
Glynis Smy | Feb 10, 2009 | Reply
I have not heard of these, they are worth looking into, thanks
Russ | Feb 22, 2009 | Reply
Nice slam on microwaves – idiot! quote, reference or prove that they release radioactive particles – shheeesssshhhh. The Jet-stream’s are great ovens, but we’ve never had one last more than 18 months (used 1-2 a week). If you’ve had them last more than 4-5 years, you probably don’t use it.
Dialga | Feb 22, 2009 | Reply
Oh come on Russ. It’s obvious you are one of those types of people that are resistant to change.
I’ve used my Jet Stream ovens for about 3 hours a day for 4-5 years until they broke down. And in most cases, it was just the belt, that I replaced with a simple rubber band. So don’t go ahead and tell me that the quality of the ovens are substandard.
As for microwave ovens, they don’t emit so much radiation that after one use, you’ll be dead. It’s a cumulative effect that occurs over time.
“Old or faulty door seals are the most common causes of microwave radiation leakage. Mechanical abuse, a build-up of dirt, or simple wear and tear of continued use can cause door seals to be less effective.”
So I don’t know about you, but I would rather replace my Jet Stream once every 5 years because of broken parts, than replace a microwave once every 5 years because the door seal has worn out and is now leaking miniscule amounts of radiation into my body. And no matter how miniscule it is, it’s still radiation. End of story.
Maybe in your experience, you were unlucky and purchased defective ovens, or ones that have already been used for 5 years. Also, not taking proper care of the oven won’t help either. As in, submerging the power arm in water. Read the manual’s safety features and maybe you’ll understand how to extend the life of this well-designed product!
Carl Voorheis | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
I’ve been using a Jet Stream for years, LOVE it. Almost as fast as a microwave but the chicken never comes out bouncing!!!! Nicer than grilling on 114 degree days. In fact, nicer than grilling period, my food always comes out right!!!
Joyce | Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
I have the JS-2000 Model and would like to know how to change the belt. Where is the belt located. Thanks
Dialga | Jun 30, 2009 | Reply
Joyce, you will need to remove the power arm (it should just slide off). After that, you should be able to remove the screws off the top head of the JS-2000. It should open up and you’ll be able to access the belt.
Rick | Jul 7, 2009 | Reply
I have a JS-2000 that needs the bottom of the hinge assemble and I can not find any where. Any Ideas where to get one?
Dialga | Jul 7, 2009 | Reply
Hey Rick.
Did you try Kijiji or Craigslist? I know eBay has sellers with spare parts as well.
Fabian | Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
The Jet Stream Ovens are great! I use one in Germany. Its the JS-2000 with timer. Cooking is just great with this machine! also perfect for a single household. I had to replace the belt once, but this old JS-2000 keeps running and running… It´s used 2-3 times a week.
D. Angela | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
thank you, Dialgo.
Chuck | Dec 17, 2009 | Reply
Have had the jet stream ovens and love the way they cook.
Belt replacement is easy, and you can find them on E-bay, or from Nesco. Am getting the newer direct drive for my son…..hope there’s no issues with those!
The bottom hinge adapter, over time (a couple of years of nearly daily use) will come appart at the metal screws that go into the plastic.(heat and vibration) Suggest taking it appart and epoxy glueing before becomming worn out. Although, new replacement hinges are available also.
I spray the wire grates with PAM or other spray to help clean- up.
Also, use tin foil on the bottom to minimize clean-up.
Clean-up is not much of a hassel…….and this from someone who hates small kitchen appliance contraptions for just that reason!
This is really a cool appliance, and I like the way it stands on end to save counter space….unlike the others, that are so HUGE that you wouldn’t want to leave them on the counter, or never want to get them in and out of the cupboard!
Anyway….just my two centavos
Chuck
Marcus Tee | Jan 1, 2010 | Reply
My mom just gave us a JS3000 but it is apparently not working. She said one of the light bulbs burnt out and now the whole thing quit working. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do with it? (It’s in really good shape otherwise)
Dialga | Jan 3, 2010 | Reply
Marcus, in response to your question, I don’t believe just the light bulbs burning out would cause the entire oven to stop working. Have you tried opening up the top part and taking a look to see if the rubber belt is properly in place? If the belt is fine, then it could be an issue with the electronics inside the oven, and it might be a bit difficult to repair it.
If the electronics are the issue, I would consider selling the oven as spare parts (in case someone else needs an extra arm or belt). Try looking on eBay. A lot of the older models — JS2000 and JS3000 — are extremely cheap. Of course, if you have the money, I would recommend the JS4000, like I bought myself. It’s expensive, around $140 U.S. on eBay, but it’s well worth it, and the money you’ll save by using less electricity than a conventional oven will pay off over time.
Marc | Feb 5, 2010 | Reply
First, the jetstream is a great oven.
But the article is in error over microwaves emitting “radiation particles”. Microwaves use electromagnetic energy, nothing that creates “particles” that could be harmful. In essence, the microwave magnetron is a lot like a light bulb, but instead of light, it sends out EM waves. A microwave “cooks” by causing the molecules inside the food to align with the waves which of course are moving. Water is the most polar molecule (having a + and – end like a magnet) so the molecules move against each other as they attempt to align with the moving EM wave. Rub your hands together rapidly and you will feel heat from the friction. This is the same principal on a molecular level that the microwave uses to heat food. There is no more radiation coming from a microwave than a light bulb. A geiger counter would not pick up EM waves because “Nuclear radiation” is alpha, gamma, and neutron “particles”, nothing associated with a microwave.
NOW, before you go saying that I am saying microwaves are 100% safe, if one is damaged, you become exposed. As with cell phones and other EM emitting devices, I do believe there is exposure risks WHILE the microwave is running if it leaks. Any proven research on EM exposure being cumulative, well when they prove cell phones are dangerous, then I’m sure there will be evidence. Food cooked with a microwave has no radiation, it was heated using friction as explained, it’s just hot food, thats it (and not the best tasting).
The rest is a great review on the ovens, I’ve been through 3 of them over the last 15 years, but used them heavily and it was almost always a belt issue. My current model did finally crack (the 4000T) and I’m having to get a replacement dome. No big deal though. Found an oven on Ebay today for $5.95 plus shipping (JS-2000) snapped that sucker up for a total of $25 shipped cross country.
The biggest health benefit of these ovens is the reduction of grease. The great taste of the food is the reason I use mine.
t-t | Dec 10, 2011 | Reply
Russ,
Vicki | Aug 16, 2012 | Reply
My american harvest jet stream oven js 2000 won’t cook my food. Not even warm. All four lights work.Replaced the fan belt.So why is it hot heating up?
Nick | Sep 15, 2012 | Reply
Hi Rick your local GOODWILL COMMUNITY STORE usually has either a brand new unit and or slightly used JS 2000 Never the less in both cases the main units bellt which rotates the fan unit is usually failed but a great buy for parts or the do it you selfer. I have purchased one of these units and did my own replacement repair of the BELT purchased at my local hobby shop, the factory stringy type belt was in my opinion a bad choice and will fail.Replacing it with a hobby grade belt does the trick. I love this Jet stream cooker oven it cooks very fast and uses less energy than a stove or microwave oven. Healthy cooking with super heated jet air is amazing.