And how to choose the best one.
We know what you’re thinking. Hey, if we’re being honest, we’re kinda thinking it, too. You’ve already got an oven. You’ve already got a toaster. Both fulfill their roles within the kitchen quite happily, and they get along well when asked, too. Why would I introduce a third party into this happy couple? We all know how that story goes; acrimony, jealousy and a bitter divorce.
Why, indeed. Consider this a learning experience for the both of us, then, as we explore why these curious hybrids exist, and what benefit they might bring to the domestic kitchen.
Let’s first establish what a toaster oven is, exactly. Many people think that toaster ovens are just like average toasters. Why pay more and take up more space if you can toast your slice of bread in a regular toaster, right? This single-minded assumption would be way off the mark. A toaster oven, in fact, has many uses; able to roast, toast, bake and grill, as well as defrosting small items of food, too.
A toaster oven works by electrical elements heating the oven’s interior, much like a conventional oven; it also contains baking trays and wire racks, much like a traditional one.
Over a traditional oven, and also a microwave, the toaster oven also has several benefits. These are those; our 4 benefits of toaster ovens over traditional ovens and how to choose the best one.
FASTER PREHEATING
Have you ever balked at a recipe which calls for an hour’s worth of oven preheating prior to any action occurring? Are you a keen baker with a compulsive urge to keep checking the oven’s temperature, wondering if it’s hot enough for your cake to enjoy its dry sauna yet? Disclaimer: it’ll be another hour yet.
Okay, so we exaggerate, but preheating a traditional oven can take a while, which can be frustrating for the time poor and those keen to keep their electricity bill down. Sure, you could use your microwave, but they just don’t give you the same results as an oven.
Because toaster ovens are compact, they take much less time to preheat while giving you those oven-ready results you’re after. On average, a toaster oven takes just 5-6 minutes to hit its maximum temperature of 232°C, whilst a traditional oven takes around three times longer. Actually, we think that the latter might even be a slightly ambitious estimate.
In a sense, toaster ovens represent the best of both worlds; you get those speedy, intense benefits of a microwave and the results of a traditional oven (a browned, crisp exterior, for instance) in one countertop unit.
A COMPACT ALTERNATIVE
If you don’t have a large kitchen or live in a studio apartment or even a dormitory or halls of residence, owning an oven may not be feasible. But some food – some real home comfort, crowd pleaser dishes – simply can’t be cooked without one. Luckily, just because you don’t own an oven doesn’t mean that you’ll have to stop cooking your favourite dishes.
Toaster ovens are compact alternatives to traditional ovens, heating up – and cooking food – in a similar way. Therefore, for home cooking, you can achieve similar results using a more real-estate friendly version of a traditional oven.
And if you’re a keen dinner party host, a toaster oven can play a key role, too, should you need extra oven space but don’t think that purchasing another oven is sensible.
A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE, TOO
Toaster ovens are generally a significantly more affordable option than conventional ovens. In 2021, you can find a solidly-performing toaster oven for under £100, whereas a decent conventional oven averages out at a little under £500 in today’s market. And that’s before we even consider the cost of running each appliance, either. Which, as a matter of fact, we’ll briefly consider now…
LESS ENERGY
Because toaster ovens are much smaller in size than traditional ovens, they consume far less energy than ovens. If you are sustainability-oriented, this should obviously be a large plus for you. And if you’re not, you better go take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Toaster ovens can help you reduce your carbon footprint without you having to compromise on food quality, and represent an eco-friendly choice when compared to traditional ovens.
According to the guys at energy cost comparison experts at Fixr, a toaster oven costs, on average, around $0.03 an hour to run, whilst an electric oven costs $0.16 an hour. Though the numbers are small, that’s a huge difference – to put it in a different way, a traditional oven is five times more energy guzzling than a toaster oven.
HOT KITCHEN
Though some enjoy the warming effect of a hot oven in the deepest depths of winter, being stuck in a hot, stuffy kitchen while you cook a meal isn’t always welcome. If you’re keen to mediate the temperatures in your kitchen while you bake, grill or roast, then a toaster oven could be the answer.
Though they broadly have the same temperature range as a traditional oven, with upper limits of around 250°C, toaster ovens don’t emit nearly the same levels of heat into the kitchen. This is a large reason why such ovens are ubiquitous in the kitchens of some of the world’s hotter countries.
ARE YOU NOT EVEN GOING TO MENTION THE DRAWBACKS?
No, I don’t think we are today. Cheers.
Only joking…the primary downside of using a toaster oven is that, for all the positives regarding its compact nature and subsequent lower energy usage, your options are limited regarding the size of the item you’re intending to cook; think lasagna for two rather than twelve.
What’s more, toaster ovens can, at times, be a little unpredictable and require a fairly watchful eye to ensure items don’t get burnt within; yep, the speed of cooking can be a blessing and a curse here. Some toaster ovens come with an auto shut-off feature, preventing the food from burning if you get distracted; prioritise this.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TOASTER OVEN
When it comes to buying a perfect toaster oven that suits your needs, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Toaster ovens are actually surprisingly versatile, and come in many sizes, functions, temperature ranges, and prices. Before you choose a toaster oven model, you must first consider how much space you have available. You should also keep in mind that smaller toaster ovens will not support the larger dishes that you may want to make.
Usage is another consideration, with some toaster ovens designed specifically for home baking, and others more appropriate for roasting meat and fish, for instance. If your priority is baking, make sure that the toaster oven that you’re considering offers a wide temperature range.
Finally, you should place preference on toaster ovens which are easy to clean. Some are even billed as ‘self cleaning’, with the entirety of their interior non-stick. This doesn’t actually mean they clean themselves, but rather, don’t accumulate nearly the same level of grease, dirt and food residue as one which isn’t non-stick. We suppose that would be called ‘stick’. Anyway…
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you are looking for a convenient, compact alternative to a traditional oven, then look no further than the toaster oven. With their versatility, ease of use, and various features, toaster ovens make a great addition to any kitchen. They are also a great way to reduce your ecological footprint whilst still getting that crunchy, crisp finish and thorough, comprehensive cooking which any great oven brings. Bon appetit!
If you’re looking to further fill your countertop space with energy efficient alternatives to traditional kitchen appliances, then check out these 5 benefits of an air fryer over deep fat frying and ovens.