topic Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it? in Community Chat

Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Sue98 — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:23:48 GMT

I've been considering buying one to use for baking smaller casseroles, garlic bread, roasted garlic, etc., but I'm not sure how much I would actually use one. I have quite a bit of counter space, but i'm not sure I want to have a toaster oven taking up that much space.

If you own a toaster oven, will you please share your experiences with me? Any particular brands you might recommend? Thanks!

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

GCR18 — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:32:37 GMT

I can't live without one. I have a basic black and Decker model from Amazon. I use it 4 times a week. I mainly use it as a toaster for english muffins and waffles. I also melt cheese, heat rolls and muffins in it. When I'm done, i put it in the pantry.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Burnsite — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:43:21 GMT

My vintage stove has an oven that has become temperamental, so a few years ago, I bought a Breville Smart Oven from the Q. I use it every day.

It doesn't make toast very well, but it is an even-heated and reliable oven for baking. My GE Americana range (in harvest gold, no less) sometimes heats up in an alarming fashion--or shuts itself off and sulks. I would have to rewire the house if I replaced it, or so an electrician told me. So I work around its flaws. As far as its looks, I love my retro stove.

True story: I had to meet someone at the airport to pick her up--a houseguest. I was making Swedish Dill Bread to go with supper and rushed off in the car, forgetting to turn the oven off. Well, Americana switched itself off and the bread was really perfect. (Maybe the old oven is the smart one.)

It is very nice to have a backup. The Breville is much bigger and more expensive than most toaster ovens, though, so it takes up a lot of counter space.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

SeaMaiden — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:41:04 GMT

@Sue98I bought mine at Costco. The brand name is not on it so I can not provide that info. But, It is a convection Toaster oven. I bought it thinking I would use it for somethings rather than use the stove. I find that it just sits there NOT USED AT ALL. My hubby will bake a frozen pizza once in a blue moon, but, for all the space it takes up, it really will probably end up at Good Will with all the other Toaster ovens!

Why not go to Goodwill and see what they have first? You could try it out and see how you like it before investing money into a new one. At good will you might spend $20.00. That is what I wish I had done first.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Another new name Sue — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:52:30 GMT

I'm happy with my small Cuisinart. It's so handy to Cook in rather than spending 10 minutes warming up the huge oven for one or two small items. I've cooked up to 2 chicken breasts in mine. This morning I made cheese toast. Yesterday roasted sweet potatoes. Sometimes I have to cover the food because it's too close to the heating element.

I wanted to to uograde mine because it was so inexpensive, but after looking at the others at BBB, I decided to stick with what I have. Why don't you buy a small inexpensive one?

sometimes the microwave ruins food, so I like to use the toaster oven instead when possible.

PS if you are limited on space, when the oven is OFF and COOL and UNPLUGGED you can put things on top.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Tootie15 — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:57:59 GMT

I agree @Another new name Sue, I have a small Black and Decker Toaster Oven. Since I don't have a lot of counter space, I use this as our main toaster. I got mine for $19.99 on sale about 5 years ago and it is still going strong. But when it does go, I'm not out that much and will hopefully find another just as cheap.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:08:47 GMT

@Burnsite wrote:
My vintage stove has an oven that has become temperamental, so a few years ago, I bought a Breville Smart Oven from the Q. I use it every day.

It doesn't make toast very well, but it is an even-heated and reliable oven for baking. My GE Americana range (in harvest gold, no less) sometimes heats up in an alarming fashion--or shuts itself off and sulks. I would have to rewire the house if I replaced it, or so an electrician told me. So I work around its flaws. As far as its looks, I love my retro stove.

True story: I had to meet someone at the airport to pick her up--a houseguest. I was making Swedish Dill Bread to go with supper and rushed off in the car, forgetting to turn the oven off. Well, Americana switched itself off and the bread was really perfect. (Maybe the old oven is the smart one.)

It is very nice to have a backup. The Breville is much bigger and more expensive than most toaster ovens, though, so it takes up a lot of counter space.

Hi Burnsite, After reading your "Swedish Dill Bread" story, I was mulling how to tactfully word the operating condition of your kitchen stove when listing your house for sale. I came up with the term 'charming'. Have a great weekend, DEEP

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Sooner — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:09:57 GMT

We bought our last one about 30 years ago, and have lived happily without for 25 years without one. Our oven works fine, and does anyhing that will do--probably for less money in the long run. It doesn't cost that much to run an oven. We do have a sall toaster that works fine and we use it a lot.

I would much rather have the oven and the counter space.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

KailaS — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:26:19 GMT

I live in rent, and no matter where I have lived, I have not had a working conventional oven. That situation began my love affair with toaster ovens. Yes, I toast bagels in them, but I make pies, loaf cakes, pizza, baked chicken, small lasagnas, cookies, and almost everything else in them. I just had to make sure that my baking pans fit in the oven (pans that do not fit side to side often can be turned and fit front to back) and that I understand my oven, i am on my second Black and Decker over 18 years. Mine tend to run just a little " high," so I always drop the temp. and set the time a wee bit less than called for so that I can check whatever I am making the last few minutes ( so as not to burn). I rarely use my microwave, but i use my toaster oven about five times a week.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

NYwoman — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:30:28 GMT

It is just myself and my dog (who I cook for) so the toaster oven is just fine. I haven't used the regular oven for 4 years now. I get mine at Big Lots or Ollies and when it dies, I replace it.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Mustang Shar — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:44:33 GMT

Always had a toaster oven. I currently have the compact Breville for 3 years, but now I've noticed some uneven browning and may need to replace the back element. I use it nearly everyday.

Wolf has now come out with one at a big price tag.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Moonchilde — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 15:55:57 GMT

I've had the Breville for a couple of years and it's the best toaster oven I've had in 40 years. For me, it makes better toast than a toaster. I use it almost every day for so many things. As for counter space, I don't keep mine on the kitchen counter.

If you really don't know if you would use one much, I'd buy a cheap one to see if you like it at all. If you like it but feel it doesn't do some things all that well, then consider the Breville, as it is truly like your stove oven in miniature as far as build quality and function.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

hopi — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 16:35:03 GMT

@Sue98

Bought the Breville toaster oven that Q has and hated it. It was hard to clean. extremely hot on the outside and took up a huge amount of space. Also got rid of an older microwave and bought the NuWave. I love it.
Very easy to clean, smaller profile- got the white and it seems to disappear into my white walls.
It is not expensive. Cant say it is top of the line but all parts go into the dishwasher. It is very versatile and fun to play with. Will make all of the items you listed and much more.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Fressa — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 16:46:43 GMT

I don't have toaster oven but I have the Breville smart oven. I have the large size but they make three or four sizes. I originally purchased this to bake pies in for the holidays or the extra rack that you need and don't have. We use this thing all the time in the evenings for snacks and on the weekends for popcorn. It does great for pizza and dough products. I love it for frozen Stouffers, etc. The new versions of the "toaster oven" are great. They cook faster and more evenly. The clean up is a breeze.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

nomless — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 17:03:47 GMT

I have one that is large enough everything I bake. I haven't used my regular oven in over 10 years.I use it to store pots and pans.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

VanSleepy — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 18:05:40 GMT

I just got the Breville XL oven for Christmas. I wanted one that would fit a 9x11 dish for the few times a year when I am kicking myself for not getting a double oven. I don't know what type of 9x11 with absolutely no type of edge to grab on to would fit in there. None of my dishes even came close. Plus, I would have had to store it in the basement which means I would never use it other than those few times a year. I've survived without one this long; I returned it.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

sallybusky — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 18:13:06 GMT

I love the inexpensive but reliable Black & Decker! It gets used every weekend for English muffins or mini-pizzas, and then occasionally for smaller items that don't require a large pan. In the winter I don't mind using the oven, but in the summer I'd rather heat up the toaster oven. It stays on the counter full-time, and we no longer have a regular toaster. The microwave gets used less b/c of the toaster oven. Generally, toasted things are tastier than nuked.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

danielsl — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 18:59:15 GMT

I have 2! One in Maine and one in Florida. We use a toaster oven pretty much every day. The are both Delonghi convection. They are each large enough for my largest Corning-ware casserole dishes. The one in Florida is stored in the bottom shelf of the pantry. The one in Maine is kept in the oven, so no counter space issue.

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

wilma — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 21:32:57 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
We bought our last one about 30 years ago, and have lived happily without for 25 years without one. Our oven works fine, and does anyhing that will do--probably for less money in the long run. It doesn't cost that much to run an oven. We do have a sall toaster that works fine and we use it a lot.

I would much rather have the oven and the counter space.

@Sooner

This is how my DH feels. He says a regular toaster, oven, and microwave is all we need. He never had one, but my parents did all the years they lived so I guess I was used to having one. I have survived without one for our 18 years of marriage. Maybe I should ask for one for our 19th anniversary?

Re: Toaster Oven....Do you own one, and if so, how much do you use it?

Sooner — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 21:39:20 GMT

@wilma wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
We bought our last one about 30 years ago, and have lived happily without for 25 years without one. Our oven works fine, and does anyhing that will do--probably for less money in the long run. It doesn't cost that much to run an oven. We do have a sall toaster that works fine and we use it a lot.

I would much rather have the oven and the counter space.
@Sooner
This is how my DH feels. He says a regular toaster, oven, and microwave is all we need. He never had one, but my parents did all the years they lived so I guess I was used to having one. I have survived without one for our 18 years of marriage. Maybe I should ask for one for our 19th anniversary?

Nah. Ask for jewelry, clothes, or a night out.