Toaster ovens are portable appliances capable of doing most of the electric ovens functions. It has many uses in the kitchen, like toasting, roasting, baking, broiling and defrosting.
Kinds of toaster ovens:
o Convection
o Combination
o Rotisserie
o Combination microwave
o And infrared toaster ovens
Present toaster ovens have features that tend to be a little confusing. Experts help shed light about this cooking device. Follow these guidelines when buying your own toaster oven.
Assess the area. Measure the space area for your toaster oven. Models come in different shapes and sizes. Some require 3 up to 4 inches of space at the back in order to disperse the heat.
Look for a broil setting feature. Mid range and premium toasters often have broil setting features. Sanyo Toasty is the only model that has no broil function.
Removable parts. Find removable and adjustable parts like the toasting racks and trays for easy cleaning. Hamilton Beach and Sanyo models have adjustable racks, while Krups and Tfal have removable crumb trays.
Self-cleaning interior. Most toaster oven models come with a nonstick clean interior for easy cleaning. Popular models like Krups, Tfal, Sanyo and Proctor Silex have neither self-cleaning walls nor nonstick walls.
Mechanical Timer. A mechanical timer lets you manually operate the time to prevent burning or overheating.
Large clear windows. Look for a toaster oven with big windows to better view what's cooking inside.
Oven settings. Some models have manual dials, while others have digital controls. Other settings include a reheat and stop button. Some brands have an option for toasting one slice of bread for small servings.
Wider slot. A wide space oven interior will work well with bagels and other large food pieces. Cooking more food at one go saves time.
Convection oven feature. Models with convection features have a beeping sound especially when pre-heated. It has a built-in timer and cord wrap. Cooking with air produces golden brown results on chicken in an hour. A small cake is done in about 20 minutes. It is faster than other types of toaster ovens.
Consider the style and price. It is good to match the color and design of your toaster to the interiors of your kitchen. Branded toasters are often more expensive.
Look for safety features. Automatic shut off timers avoid overcooking. It prevents accidents like causing fire. Trays also help in small food drippings.
Look around in small appliance stores. Check out ongoing sales and promotions to get good deals with your money. Often, when new models come out, the older models are put on sale.
Shop online. Compare different models online. This is easier than going to an actual shop to canvas.
