fdl

I've always been a toaster guy. Never owned a toaster oven but everyone keeps telling me I should get rid of the toaster and go with the toaster oven. So I finally gi ve in and start looking for toaster ovens and see that there are the regular toaster ovens, and then there are the convection ovens. The convections ovens are probably better, but they are BIGGER. I dont want this massive clunky thing on my counter. I just want to toast sliced bread and bagels, maybe make the odd grilled cheese and pizza, and warm up dishes, etc.

Should I get the convections over the toaster oven, even though its kinda big? Or should I just stick with a good old toaster?

soopa

A convection oven is a real oven. Basically a real oven with a fan.

A toaster oven is more like the broiler in an oven. The point is to get foods close to the heating element to brown them, toast them.

Toaster ovens are great for some things, and toasters are better for others (like toasting bread).

There are a few brands now that combine the best of both worlds... let me checkkk...

wstevens

I have a regular toaster. It's served almost all my needs.

However, I was attempting to heat up an egg roll yesterday and I really wanted a toaster oven. The microwave would have made it soggy, so I had to fire up the range just for one stinkin' eggroll.

I would opt for the toaster oven.

04acura tl

we use our toaster for toast and such, which gets put away when were done using it.
We also use a counter top convection oven which is great for frozen pizza as well as many other things. It gets used a lot so it stays out on the counter.

Cruz_msl

Toaster ovens certainly do have their place, but I have skirted the issue by just using the microwave, or broiler in my oven, or both.

Microwave: Re- heating leftovers, warming things
Toaster: Toast breads, bagels, etc.
Oven: Browning things, melting cheese on things, re-reating things that are crispy
Toaster oven: Don't need it

PHUNBALL

I have a Cuisinart toaster and toaster oven (both about a year old as they were wedding presents). The toaster never comes out of the pantry as the toaster oven can do everything it can and more. I have a real oven already (every house does) so I don't see the point in a counter top convection oven. Seems like a waste of money and a waste of space...

soopa

Here's a combo pop-up/oven from Hamilton Beach, can't find it on their site though:

soopa

Also, fiddle, aren't you renovating your kitchen now?

Why not go with a high-speed oven like...

Electrolux...


GE...


or Miele (the top part)...



Then you have a high-speed, small scale convection oven. Much faster than a counter top model, can be used for REAL cooking (like, a Turkey in 45 minutes), and doesnt waste counter space.

Then just get a regular ol toaster for bagels/bread.

I'm Batman

I was always a toaster guy until we got a toaster oven. I hardly ever use the microwave oven anymore.

fdl

soopa, how much are those high speed ovens?

soopa

It depends. I think the GE one is about 1000, the Electrolux about 1500, and the Miele about 2000.

soopa

But keep in mind you can use them as a Microwave, a Toaster Oven, or a tried and true REAL convection oven. They cook food 75% faster than a traditional oven... and usually with better results (moister, crispier, etc).

doopstr

Toaster ovens are great and I found that you don't need to spend a lot of money on them. $40 tops.

I use mine daily. In the morning for waffles, in the evening for pizzas and other frozen stuff. You will find that things that say "hey cooks in 4 minutes in a microwave" can be cooked in a toaster oven in about 7-8 minutes. Tastes much better. You will find that you can cook all kinds of stuff in them. They heat up really fast.

Black and Deckers are okay. Sunbeam too.

ricecake

IMHO, toaster oven is probably the best value for the $$. When you have something in your standard oven that requires a certain temperature and you have a small side (e.g., biscuits, etc.) that requires a different temperature and time, it helps.

joerockt

I agree. Toster ovens are good for those reheats that dont work well in the microwave, but too small for the oven (i.e. reheating pizza)

However, I dont use the toaster oven that often, so it dosent sit on the countertop. Just a two slice toster is good enough...

65 Fury Convert

No doubt. I avoided getting a toaster oven for years because I had a toaster, a microwave and an oven - I figured why do I need a toaster oven? My sister gave one to me as a gift a few months back and now I never use the toaster, I hardly use the microwave and I don't need to heat up the big oven to make small meals anymore. I definately recommend getting one.

dom

I have a toaster oven and a toaster. Use them both all the time.

Street Spirit

Have always had a toaster oven and use it all the time. Is great and does everything I need....no need to spend a ton of money on something super complicated when I have an oven, and has more uses than a regular toaster. Having both would seem redundant in my opinion. Have never wanted or needed a separate toaster.