By Sage McHugh on September 6, 2010 in
If you plan to make a lot of toast on a regular basis -- say you have a large family, for example -- you'll likely prefer a toaster oven over a slotted toaster. Larger toaster ovens can handle up to six slices of bread at a time as opposed to the two or four slices conventional toasters are limited to.
Another advantage toaster ovens have over their old-school brethren is their transparent glass doors, which let you keep a closer eye on your toast's progess. Like top-rated standard toasters, toaster ovens should be equipped with adjustable browning levels and a dedicated bagel setting. There are some downsides to toaster ovens, though: toasting tastes longer than in a slotted toaster, and toaster ovens take up more counter space.
On the upside, a toaster ovens can be a good backup to your conventional oven, providing it has a bake and broil function. Since toaster ovens heat up faster and consume less energy than traditional ovens, they could help you save money. Some advanced toaster ovens even include a rotisserie, allowig you to roast a whole chicken or large cut of meat. If you like to bake, you should consider a convection toaster oven.
If you're ready to add a toaster oven to your arsenal of kitchen equipment, here's what to look for:
- Consider both exterior and interior dimensions. Not only does the oven need to fit properly on your counter, it also needs to accomodate what you plan to cook in it. For example, smaller ovens will only fit two slices of bread, while others can accommodate six. If you want to cook larger items like 12-inch frozen pizza, be sure to double-check the oven's interior width and depth.
- Make sure the controls are easy to operate. If you’re only doing basic baking and reheating, experts say you should stick to toaster ovens with three dials: a cook function, temperature setting and a timer. More options could make things unnecessarily complicated, especially for children or the elderly.
- An audible beep is a great safety feature and alerts you when food is ready. It should be loud enough to hear even if you’re in another room.
- Automatic shutoff is another key safety feature. A toaster oven should automatically shut off within 30 to 60 minutes, otherwise food is more likely to burn or catch fire.
- Look for a removable crumb tray in front. Most toaster ovens are equipped with crumb trays, but one that slides out from the front is more convenient. You can pull out the tray while the toaster oven is still hot and you don’t have to lift it. A removable crumb tray also allows for easier cleanup.
- Users find that toaster ovens with porcelain or nonstick interiors are much easier to clean.
For more information on toaster ovens and to see which models get the best reviews, check out our recently updated full report.
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