No more oven preheating: Midea's graphene technology reaches 1300 °C in 0.2 seconds

Homemade bread in 25 minutes instead of 49, and meatloaf in 70 minutes instead of 110. Midea promises time savings of up to 49%, made possible by a new graphene heating tube that is said to reach high temperatures almost instantly. Specifically, the manufacturer promises 1300°C in just 0.2 second, which would eliminate the need to preheat air fryers or ovens, and the target temperature would be reached almost instantly.

This would not only be practical, it would also reduce the overall cooking time. This would also result in less heat loss, thus saving electricity. But how does it actually work?

Graphene: The miracle material?

As of September 6, 2025, there is very little information available on the use of graphene in heating elements for ovens, deep fryers, cooktops or other kitchen appliances, apart from Midea's latest press release. However, it is certain that graphene itself is a modification of carbon with a two-dimensional structure, according to Wikipedia. This "miracle material", consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, is an excellent electrical conductor.

To date, however, the material has been more commonly associated with heating systems, primarily in heating foils for installation in floors. In Midea's new heating tubes, the material is expected to demonstrate its strengths in that, in addition to the faster heat transfer, it is said to offer particularly good durability and better withstand higher temperatures. The new heating tubes are also said to emit strong near-infrared radiation, which is said to be significantly more effective than that emitted by quartz or metal heating elements. This is intended to ensure a nice browning while retaining moisture inside the baked goods.

A nice side effect is that graphene glows significantly brighter than other heating elements, allowing for a better view of the food. Midea plans to integrate the new technology into all areas of its product range. However, only user reviews of the new appliances will reveal how well the new system actually works.