Anyone use a toaster oven?

[Deleted]

Hi guys.

Just watched a favorite you tube blogger demonstrate his new Black and Decker toaster oven. It looked kind of cute...one of the smaller models.

I've never used one and would like your opinions/experience.

Did/do you like it?

How does it do energy-wise?

What can it cook? ( for instance is it able to cook a casserole or roast a chicken, or bake cookies?)

Thanks for your answers and any other questions I didn't think of.

[Ken]

I have cooked a multitude of things in it. (Sweet) potatoes, 2 loaves of pumpkin bread (at the same time), cookies, casseroles, baked chicken, broiled fish, pizza (on a pizza stone), etc.

It is large enough for a 9x13 pyrex dish and it also has a rotisserie (and I've done rotisserie chicken and it works great).

As far as energy, even though it is smaller than the oven, it has less insulation, so I imagine the energy used is about the same or a little more.

Also, since I don't use a microwave, my toaster oven is my go to device for reheating leftovers of all kinds.

I would say I like it a lot

[mzgarden]

We like ours. Given one years ago and weren't sure. When it gave up, we replaced it. Especially handy now that we are empty nesters. Much easier to cook small portions instead of heating up the regular sized oven. Broiled asparagus is a favorite of ours in the toaster oven, as one example.

[speckledpup]

I'm on my 3rd one.
Haven't turned on the full size oven in a several years.
I made sure that mine would hold a 9x13 pan. It also holds a 12 cupcake pan

[Deleted]

My husband has mentioned getting one and I have thought that we really don't need one but after reading everyone's reviews I am going to have to rethink it. Thanks!

[solargeek]

We have had 3-4 Black & Decker's over the years. Last one was in 2009. All of them started smoking and 2 had flames. Just from normal use, we are a family of 4.

We only did toast in them. Never let your kids use it. Unplug it when you are gone or it is not in use.

Here is a link with 2015 postings re B&D catching on fire and/or "exploding".

www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/blackdecker_toasteroven.html

It also has 426 unfavorable reviews on Amazon out of 1200 so 1/3 have problems with it. www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-TRO480BS-4-Slice-Toaster/product-reviews/B002CVTT3Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewopt_srt?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addOneStar&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=recent&reviewerType=all_reviews&filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1

Just sayin'

[greatgreenfarm]

I rarely ever use my big oven any more as I can cook, bake and reheat most things in my toaster oven (not a B&D, by the way)... I'm a big fan of a toaster oven.

[speckledpup]

Be sure and check the reviews on any you are thinking of getting.
Not all are created equal.

[aftermidnite]

I have a small one ..cant really bake anything large in it ..but can bake small things .
We have a toaster in the pantry but haven't used in in more than 4 years
toaster oven works fine even pop tarts if daughter wants one .
Bake fish in it as well as other breaded meats and corn dogs and pancake/sausage sticks .
Like to use it to reheat some things and can also reheat /cook some of those TV dinners
from the store in this one..
If this one goes out we will be getting another one and next one will be a bit bigger .
Ours is on the top shelf of a bakers rack with our small microwave on the second shelf .
Bottom 2 shelves are used for storage of bread machine and panni press ..

[Deleted]

Good Morning,
I have been investigating toaster ovens and I am a little confused. There seems to be 2 kinds of ovens, convection and just toaster ovens. After reading what everyone does with theirs are you using just a toaster oven, or a toaster/convection? Thanks for any info

[Ken]

Mine is a toaster/convection/rotisserie that can take a 9x13 pan.

[calliemoonbeam]

I have a large one that sounds just like Ken's, although there are several brands.  Mine is Hamilton Beach.  It works as a conventional toaster oven or a rotisserie and does have the convection function, but I've never personally used it.  I love it and rarely ever use my big stove oven!  This toaster oven will hold a 9 x 13 dish or a 12" pizza and the rotisserie function is great for chicken.  I can cook pretty much everything I need in it, except maybe a large ham or Thanksgiving turkey.  I've baked pies, cakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, casseroles, you name it.  It also broils a pretty good steak for one if I'm not in the mood to deal with the grill.    I personally wouldn't like one of the smaller ones, it just wouldn't meet my needs.

The only downside I've found, and I make sure to mention this to everyone interested in buying one, is that the outside gets VERY HOT!  You can't set anything on top of it or right up next to it that might melt or catch on fire, and if you have children you have to be sure to teach them not to touch it or keep it out of their reach.  I've never had any problem with appliances, but after hearing about appliances shorting out or starting fires, I do keep all of mine plugged into a surge protector so that if there IS a problem and I'm not home or asleep it will kick off automatically.

Well, another downside is that it requires electricity, and I've been trying to get away from that as much as possible, lol, but it will do unless or until the grid goes down.  Then I have the propane oven on my cookstove or the Perfection stovetop oven that will work on a kerosene or propane stove or a charcoal or gas grill.  

But seriously, I love mine and would definitely buy another one if it went out, but mine has been going strong with almost daily use for about nine years now.

[Deleted]

Apr 17, 2015 21:48:48 GMT calliemoonbeam said:

I have a large one that sounds just like Ken's, although there are several brands.  Mine is Hamilton Beach.  It works as a conventional toaster oven or a rotisserie and does have the convection function, but I've never personally used it.  I love it and rarely ever use my big stove oven!  This toaster oven will hold a 9 x 13 dish or a 12" pizza and the rotisserie function is great for chicken.  I can cook pretty much everything I need in it, except maybe a large ham or Thanksgiving turkey.  I've baked pies, cakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, casseroles, you name it.  It also broils a pretty good steak for one if I'm not in the mood to deal with the grill.    I personally wouldn't like one of the smaller ones, it just wouldn't meet my needs.

The only downside I've found, and I make sure to mention this to everyone interested in buying one, is that the outside gets VERY HOT!  You can't set anything on top of it or right up next to it that might melt or catch on fire, and if you have children you have to be sure to teach them not to touch it or keep it out of their reach.  I've never had any problem with appliances, but after hearing about appliances shorting out or starting fires, I do keep all of mine plugged into a surge protector so that if there IS a problem and I'm not home or asleep it will kick off automatically.

Well, another downside is that it requires electricity, and I've been trying to get away from that as much as possible, lol, but it will do unless or until the grid goes down.  Then I have the propane oven on my cookstove or the Perfection stovetop oven that will work on a kerosene or propane stove or a charcoal or gas grill.  

But seriously, I love mine and would definitely buy another one if it went out, but mine has been going strong with almost daily use for about nine years now.

Wow, that's great! How many things can you say that about?

[Deleted]

Apr 17, 2015 21:48:48 GMT calliemoonbeam said:

I have a large one that sounds just like Ken's, although there are several brands.  Mine is Hamilton Beach.  It works as a conventional toaster oven or a rotisserie and does have the convection function, but I've never personally used it.  I love it and rarely ever use my big stove oven!  This toaster oven will hold a 9 x 13 dish or a 12" pizza and the rotisserie function is great for chicken.  I can cook pretty much everything I need in it, except maybe a large ham or Thanksgiving turkey.  I've baked pies, cakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, casseroles, you name it.  It also broils a pretty good steak for one if I'm not in the mood to deal with the grill.    I personally wouldn't like one of the smaller ones, it just wouldn't meet my needs.

Thank you so much for the great info. It turns out my daughter has one she had purchased a little while ago and it is a toaster/convection oven and she gave it to me. She never uses it. It looks like I am on my way to a new learning adventure!
Again, thanks!

[bergere]

I used to have one, loved it.  But we had to move so much, once it died... that was it. Never bought another one.

[calliemoonbeam]

You're welcome Candy, glad I could help!     If you don't have the manual, you might be able to find it online.  Here's a link to a site about my oven, some of the info may help.  www.hamiltonbeach.com/convection-ovens-countertop-oven-with-convection-and-rotisserie-31100.html#features

This is also a direct link to a PDF file of the owners manual, which gives more specific instructions on how to use each function.  useandcares.hamiltonbeach.com/files/840195703.pdf

Just remember it's HOT and will burn on contact and otherwise enjoy!

One last note to anyone with a toaster oven...if you toast bread, muffins, etc., on the rack without a pan underneath it, please be sure to clean out dropped crumbs regularly, as these can cause a fire even in a regular toaster and even more so in the toaster oven with the heating elements so much stronger and closer.  We've been using them in my family since the 1960s, between my mother, aunts, sisters, and myself, and we have never had a fire or short in any of them.  

[sss3]

I have a Cuisinart Convection.  Small one.  I don't like it.  Thought it was a good brand; till found out they're now made in China.  Walls are too thin; difficult to get things in and out.  I have small hands, too.

[dw]

I have one mostly used reheating but from reading here, I think I should use it more.

[Deleted]

I found an Emerson one new in the box at Goodwill for $5 a few years ago. It's a small one but I bought it to use til I could find a new toaster because my old one had died. Still using the toaster oven and never bought a toaster. It works great to toast the homemade bread that wouldn't fit in a regular toaster. I've baked for myself in it but it won't hold a bigger pan. It sure is nice to not heat up the oven for a single serving of something! If this one ever dies I probably will buy a bigger one and ditch the microwave that takes up too much counter space.

[Deleted]

I like using one, especially in summer so you don't heat up the house running the big oven. #1 use at our house is garlic toast. Reheating is another common use. Some things are just better reheated in the oven environment than the microwave. Also handy to bake off a small batch of biscuits, or turn crackers and cheese into a hot bubbly snack. Also use it to "keep warm". Like when I fry corn tortillas (one at a time) for tostadas, put the done ones in the toaster oven on low to keep them warm. I wouldn't spend the money on a big one or the convection version, but others might find it worthwhile.

[my3boys]

We have a Black and Decker. It replaced one that didn't last a year. I was planning on getting a different brand but B&D replaced it for free and even gave us a better model.

This one has been great. We've had it about 3 years and no problems. Its a 6 slice model with a bump out in the back for pizza. 

Im aware of the reviews and the concerns over fires, so I never leave the house or shower or whatever while it's running, but I would probably be just as cautious with any toaster oven.

Whatever you choose, make sure it has a timer with an auto off. Saves a lot of stuff from being burned.

[amylou]

I used one for a year while we lived in our rv. It would hold a six pack cupcake tin. I loved it but it did take up precious counter space.