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

Sue98 · ‎03-09-2010

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!

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

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.

Burnsite · ‎03-10-2010

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.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

Another new name Sue · ‎03-11-2010

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.

Tootie15 · ‎12-17-2012

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.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

@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

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

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.

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

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.

NYwoman · ‎03-09-2010

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.