Complete Your Kitchen With The Best Toaster Oven
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Panasonic Flash Xpress Toaster Oven -
Cuisinart Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven -
Maxi-Matic Elite Pro Toaster Oven -
Hamilton Beach Toastation Toaster Oven -
Parrot Uncle Countertop Toaster Oven -
Buyer's Guide
In this fast-paced world, we’ve come to rely on appliances like toaster ovens which fit into our fast-paced lifestyles. The best toaster ovens of 2022 are an ideal appliance for taking take some of the hustle and bustle out of food preparation. These nifty little contraptions allow you to quickly and easily create small meals or snacks without heating up a conventional oven, and energy-wise they cost far less to use as well. Some even feature built-in rotisseries a nd grills for an all-in-one cooking and baking unit residing on your counter top. To that end, most toaster ovens can be stored easily if countertop space is an issue.
Like most appliances designed for convenience, there are many makes and models to choose from. When searching for a toaster oven, it’s essential to know which features are absolutely necessary and which ones you can live without. All of these toaster ovens are convenient to use, with such options as selectable temperature controls, removable oven racks, a washable crumb tray, and viewing windows to monitor the progress of the food you’re cooking or toasting. Although you may think that all toaster ovens make great toast, that isn't always the case. We omitted the models that weren't capable of making decent toast; for many people, the main reason to have one of these appliances is the toasting feature. You'll have to choose which model fits your own lifestyle best, but each of these selections is a quality product that will come in handy when you don't need a full-sized oven for cooking or reheating.
Best Toaster Oven of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Panasonic Flash Xpress Toaster Oven - Best Toaster Oven Overall
There is no faster cooking toaster oven than the Panasonic NB-G110P Flash Xpress Toaster Oven. This appliance sports two infrared heating elements that begin cooking your food inside and out as soon as the oven is turned on. No preheating is needed and you'll get fully cooked food in 40 percent less time than a regular toaster oven.
This toaster oven also has a stay-cool touch control panel with several pre-selects for different types of food. If you want toast, you merely push a button and it automatically toasts your bread, bagels or muffins to perfection. There’s also buttons for frozen pizza, frozen hash browns, and a quick re-heat button for sandwiches, take out containers, or other goodies fresh out of the refrigerator.
Also included are a digital timer, a digital temp control gauge, digital browning shade control that’s fully selectable from light to dark, and it even features an interior light as well. All of this comes in a package that’s only about 14 inches square. For the majority of people looking for convenience, fast cooking speeds, and a size that won't take up much space on their counter, this Panasonic can't be beat.
Cuisinart Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven - Runner Up
If you like a little convection with your toaster oven, than the Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven Broiler has to be a serious consideration for you. The convection feature is a small fan that circulates the heated oven air to evenly heat food, resulting in shorter cooking and reheating times.
The control panel is completely digital, and allows you to select such options such as defrost, toast shade, preheat time, and whether you want to use it as a regular oven or as a convection oven, among others functions. It also boasts an inboard temperature sensor and the two hour timer assures there’s plenty of time for any cooking or baking project.
This unit is sized to cook a whole chicken and will accommodate a 12 inch pizza. At over 18 inches long and more than 15 inches deep, this is a large unit so if counter space is at a premium, this oven may not be right option for you. However, it can’t be beat quality-wise, and it’s backed by a three-year limited warranty.
Maxi-Matic Elite Pro Toaster Oven - Honorable Mention
If you want the biggest and baddest of the budget toaster ovens, then look no further than the Maxi Matic Elite Pro 23-Liter Toaster Oven with Rotisserie & Grill/Griddle Top with Lid. While this toaster oven is easily the highest price unit on this list, it is loaded with features and accessories none of the others can touch.
The 23 liter capacity oven is large enough to cook a small turkey, it has top and bottom elements for baking and broiling, and you can stack up several pieces of bread for toast on the shelf. The unit comes with a rotisserie for chicken, chops, steaks and whatever else you can fit on the spit. There’s also an oven top grill which comes with a griddle to fry sausages, bacon, eggplant, you name it. This toaster oven also doubles as a convection oven with an inner fan which evenly distributes hot interior air so it efficiently cooks food in less time.
This unit comes with a 60 minute timer and has a temperature range from 150 degrees to 450 degrees. For many, this toaster oven may be overkill, but if bragging rights are what you want at a price that won't break the bank too badly, the Maxi Matic is for you.
Hamilton Beach Toastation Toaster Oven - Consider
The Hamilton Beach 22708 Toastation 2-Slice Toaster and Mini Oven has a couple of slots in the top that makes it work like a traditional toaster for bread. Although it only accepts two 1 1/2 inch slices for toast or bagels, the design a very convenient option if you are going to primarily use it as a toaster.
A simple slide lever converts it from an oven to a toaster. There’s a toast shade control for selecting how brown you'd like your toast, and the oven will fit two nine-inch pizza slices. There are broiler elements, and a temperature selector that goes from 200 to 450 degrees. If you like a traditional toaster with an add-on miniature oven for convenience, this will be a good choice for your needs.
Parrot Uncle Countertop Toaster Oven - Consider
This multi-functional toaster oven comes loaded with a plethora of cooking options! The convection feature is optional and you can open the fan and utilize it with push of a button. The function is meant to circulate the hot air inside the oven and as a result help you come up with fuller, healthier, and juicier meals!
Capacity-wise, you get a 26.5 QT interior which directly means; you can either bake a good-sized chicken, toast 5-6 pieces of bread, or make yourself a 12” pizza. Also, the dedicated functions for baking, broiling, or toasting work like a charm and help you with correct heat judgment. This Parrot Uncle Countertop Toaster Oven comes with a removable crumb tray and since the back panel is accessible, the cleaning exercise becomes a breeze!
When it comes to design, this toaster oven has a stainless-steel finish with a well-insulated door handle. Also, the oven is ETL-certified, comes with a two-year warranty, and helps you save on the electricity bills because of its excellent wattage. The only downside to this oven is that it doesn’t come with an alarm when the food is done cooking; which is quite odd. However, the preset cooking functions make up for it!
Buyer's Guide
Whether you enjoy making toasts, or more tasking food like pizza, a toaster oven has got you completely covered. Unlike a toaster, a toaster oven is perfect for baking, roasting, broiling, and other cooking processes.
With so many toaster oven options available, it can be difficult to select the perfect one that suits your needs. For this reason, we have created a buying guide just to help narrow your search for the best toaster ovens.
What do you need to consider before buying a toaster oven?
Volume of Cooking
A very important factor to consider is the number of people you cook for and the types of food you’ll be cooking in your toaster oven. For instance, a busy bachelor will never cook half as much as a stay-at-home mom. A busy bachelor purchasing a mini toaster oven will save himself more money by sticking to a smaller unit.
Size of the Toaster Oven
This further buttresses the importance of knowing how much food you cook. Complex cooking tasks require large toaster ovens and vice-versa. The largest models of toaster ovens can serve as regular small ovens.
Size of Your Kitchen
It will be heartbreaking to purchase a large toaster oven and have no space for it. Ideally, a toaster oven should be placed near an electric outlet and in an uncontested space for proper ventilation. Some toaster ovens can be placed on countertops while some have to be mounted underneath a cabinet. Be sure to check the space available in your kitchen before making a purchase decision.
Heating Ability
The bottom line is you want your toaster oven to prepare great food. For that to happen, it needs to be able to heat quickly and evenly. Efficient toaster ovens require less preheating as their temperatures come up readily. A good heating quality signifies fast cooking speed.
Temperature Adjustments
Too much or too little heat can completely ruin the outcome of food. This is why the temperature of your toaster oven should be flexible.
Style
Whether your kitchen style is classic or contemporary, there is always the best toaster oven for you. Be sure to select a sleek one that gives your kitchen a beautiful, modern look.
Price
A wide range of prices is available for toaster ovens. Exceptional appliances are great investments so be sure to buy a toaster oven of good quality that would last you a long time.
Brand
The right brand of toaster ovens is made with superb heating elements like a combo of quartz and ceramic. It is best to select a brand with a good number of warranty years that insures your oven in case of a mishap.
Reviews
Reviews are so essential. After considering all the factors for the toaster oven you’re interested in, you need to check online reviews made by previous buyers.
What features should you look for?
Accessories
The best toaster ovens come with removable accessories like a baking tray, crumb tray, pizza stone, or more. If you’ll be doing much cooking like baking, accessories must be included in your toaster oven. This is because standard-sized cooking gear won’t fit into your toaster oven. Besides, it is beneficial for the accessories to be removable. It aids the cleanup process of your toaster oven. A baking tray that easily slides out makes it easier for you to clean out the toaster oven and the tray separately.
Heat Settings
This is a great feature to look out for as it specifically takes care of some cooking processes. Baking or broiling just got easier because you don’t need to set temperatures on your own.
Intuitive User Interface
While it is good to always go over the manual of your toaster oven, a complex display can be quite tasking. Your toaster oven display should be easy to understand. It is advisable to check the buttons and settings of the toaster oven before making a purchase.
Interior Light
Some toaster ovens have a bright light that turns on from the inside. This feature makes it easier for you to monitor food without opening the oven door and losing heat in the process.
Transparent Door
A toaster oven with a transparent glass door also helps to monitor cooking.
Timers/Alarms
A toaster oven ideally has a built-in timer for measuring time intervals. The best toaster oven models also include alarm features that blare when the timer is up.
Safety Features
Electrical appliances will always have safety hazards so your best bet is to find ways to avoid them. Features like trays that automatically pop out when the toaster oven door is opened, an automatic shut-off feature when you forget to turn off the toaster oven, designs that keep the toaster oven door out of your way while you retrieve food. Reading online reviews from previous toaster oven buyers will aid in deciphering the major safety issues of the product you’re interested in.
Benefits of a Toaster Oven
Ease of Use
The best toaster ovens are easy to use. With proper features installed, you’ll certainly be satisfied while using one.
Versatility
This is most likely what we love most about toaster ovens. Its versatile nature allows you to not just toast but also handle several other cooking tasks.
Portability
A toaster oven is smaller than a regular oven in size. It saves space and can be taken with you everywhere.
Toaster Oven FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a regular oven, toaster oven, and toaster?
A: A regular oven is a big oven that takes considerable space and may be found in an industrial setting. A toaster oven is similar to the regular one in some functions but is smaller in size. A toaster is used only for toasting a few items like bread and waffles.
Q: Does a toaster oven need preheating?
A: It depends on the one you purchase. The best toaster ovens take a lot less time to heat up and cool down.
Q: Is a toaster oven worth my money?
A: Absolutely! A good toaster oven is worth your money, and more. Not only will it last long, but your cooking capabilities will also improve.
