Kitchen

[depglass]

I was thinking of buying a small convection oven for a cottage that doesn't have a self cleaning insulated oven.  Therefore its going to be hotter than hades in the summer.  But I keep reading "do not use in toaster oven" on frozen products.  First of all, why not, and second of all, will a small convection oven be OK?

[Nuttmeg]

http://www.cookingdetective.com/toaster-oven/convection-oven-vs-toaster-oven/

Your second question. The heating element is exposed in a toaster oven.

[nomless]

I've used a counter top oven since 2006.  My regular oven hasn't been used on 10 years. I think the concern about cooking prepared foods in a toaster oven is the proximity to the heating elements and uneven heat (hot spots) increase the risk of fire and/or degradation of the plastic container.  The risk is reduced by cooking at a lower temp (350 or lower) or transferring the food to a safe cooking vessel.  Note, however, that most glass containers say not to use in a toaster oven.  I don't  think there's a concern about cooking unpackaged foods such as frozen biscuits in a toaster oven.

My counter top oven is fairly large.  The food is about 6" below the heating element.  I've never had a problem.  I I would be concerned using a very small oven which puts the container very close to the food.  

Here' an article with more info.

[Mustang Shar]

I LOVE my counter top   Breville. I use small 8" square pan for a lot of my cooking. 

[momtochloe]

My only working oven in the house is a Breville and I have made everything in there.

The only thing I do with frozen food is transfer it to an oven safe vessel (I have had no problems with Le Creuset but also no issues with Techniques either).

Since I cook for one, thie Breville has been a lifesaver for me as I do not want to put any money into a very old oven.

If you are looking to see what you can make in a toaster oven, YouTube has a huge variety of videos you can watch to get some ideas about what does and does not work.

Right now I have a chicken/asparagus/bread cube casserole in there but the other day I roasted a whole chicken.

hth.

[Carmie]

I use a counter top Breville oven in my travel trailer because the built in oven it came with    Is awful.

i have baked cakes and even home made bread and home made pizza in there.  It cooks frozen foods my grandchildren want when they visit just fine.

The oven is expensive, but worth it.  It cooks everything evenly just as good and sometimes better than my expensive home oven.

[Toppers]

I've done the same as you @momtochloe, when I'm not sure as to the safety of cooking something in our counter top oven.

I'll just transfer the food into an oven-safe dish and bake it that way. Then, I don't have to worry about anything happen to either the container, or to the oven, either. 

ETA: That's also a great idea about checking out YouTube for ideas on what to make in your counter top oven-to see what's safe. I never think to look there for ideas on things, but it's always a great resource that I should check more often! 

[Chicagoan]

I am another that could not function without my large Breville, I have owned it for years and it is just the best thing in my kitchen.  I might use my big oven once a year, when cooking for a large group.

[software]

You pull much less electricity with a countertop oven, just saying.