Buying Toaster Ovens
Toaster ovens are a help in today’s busy world. They can be used to help cook a small meal or heat something up when you don’t feel like warming the whole house by turning on your oven. It may sound like this item does the same things as a microwave, but the differences are profound. Where microwaves can quickly cook or heat up food, they cannot brown foods or give a pizza a crispy crust. Also, in a toaster oven, you can bake, broil, cook hamburgers and hot dogs and, if you want, a chicken! If it seems that choosing the right toaster oven for you might be difficult, just read these simple tips to decide what you want in your toaster oven.
Safety
The most important safety feature to look for in a toaster oven is an automatic shutoff feature for the element. Be sure you take note of this because not all toasters oven have this feature. If they do not have this feature, they will just ding to let you know the time is up, but they will continue heating until you shut it off. With how busy many people are today, unless you are going to be standing “right there” the entire time you are cooking, it would serve you well to have this automatic shutoff feature.
Counter Space and Capacity
Toaster ovens come in a variety of different sizes with the smallest being 10″ x 10″ and the largest being 20″ x 16″. If you are looking for a toaster oven for toasting muffins or warming leftovers, you will probably want to go for the toaster oven that has a smaller size and capacity. Alternately, if you are more interested in cooking small meals such as chicken or hamburgers, you will more than likely want to purchase a toaster oven that is larger in size and capacity and will, of course, have to have more counter space. If you have a smaller kitchen where extra space isn’t always available, there is also the option of buying a mounting kit for the toaster oven you purchase. These kits are not always included, so if you are interested in one, you may want to ask . Don’t be surprised if this kit will have to be a special order, but it is well worth the wait.
Ease of Use
The setting on a toaster oven can be regulated in two different ways. One is a standard timer with a dial and the other is an electronic keypad with functions that are preset. One things to consider in this area is that the electronic keypad is easier to use, but also allows you to set the timer in a more accurate manner. With an electronic timer, you never have to wonder if you set the toaster oven for exactly the right amount of minutes.
Easy to Clean
A lot of today’s toaster ovens have a self-cleaning feature. This feature is very popular because it does cut down on the work of cleaning the toaster oven. That being said, if you do choose to purchase a toaster oven without this feature, it is fine, just plan on spending a more time cleaning your toaster oven, such as wiping off both the inside and outside after each use. Another feature that makes cleaning easier is purchasing a toaster oven that has either porcelain or nonstick interior surfaces. Look for a slide-out crumb tray, too.
How It Cooks
This is, more than likely, the most important category. What exactly is it you want your toaster oven to do for you? Do you want a toaster oven to broil and bake or just toast? Standard heating elements work for the latter, but if a toaster oven that bakes and/or broils is what you desire, you would want to choose a model that uses an infrared or convection heating feature. Convection is a great way to cook because food is normally browned more evenly because a fan moves hot air around your food and, in the end, can cook your food faster. Also, with convection heating, you usually do not have to flip your food, either. Cooking with infrared heating is great, as well, because you do not have to pre-heat your toaster oven nearly as long and the speed of the cooking process is increased. In any case you might want an oven with separate toast controls.
Price Range
Most manufacturers of toaster ovens make a large variety of this item. Once you have chosen the features and style that you want, you could fine a basic, “just toast my bagel” toaster oven starting around $30. The average price range of the more top-classed models is $69 – $89. There are also higher-end models that have multiple features that start around $100. These models can top out in price at around $500. On that note, please remember that the higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean a better toaster oven. There are plenty of toaster ovens in the mid-range price that will do an excellent job for you, as well. Consumer Reports has, in the past, given high praise to more moderately priced toaster ovens from Cuisinart, Panasonic, T-Fal and Sanyo. Alternately, if you find a toaster oven that is a little out of your budget, you may think about the savings in the end by using a more energy-efficient was of cooking. Most toaster ovens use about 1,250 watts and on average cost between $0.17 – $2.05 / month to use. So, even if the toaster oven itself may seem, too pricey, think about the savings on your electric bill in the long run.