Tired of heating up your full-size oven every time you want to make a small meal or heat something up? An economical toaster oven is the answer!

Today’s toaster ovens have moved beyond just toasting bread or bagels. They can bake, broil, and even convection cook everything from hamburgers, casseroles and baked goods to a four pound chicken with little effort. Toaster ovens are an economical and easy to use cooking alternative for today’s busy homes.

Toaster Ovens: How to Choose

Toaster ovens come in tons of shapes and sizes and offer a variety of features. Consider the following points when choosing a toaster oven:

Price Range

You can find a toaster oven to fit any price range and preference. Basic no-frills toaster ovens start at around $30. Many top-rated models are priced under $100. Higher-end multi-function toaster ovens usually run between $150-$300.

Ease of Use

Toaster ovens are controlled by a standard dial timer or an electronic key pad with pre-set functions. Most cooks find the electronic touch pads are easier to use and also offer a more precise setting option.

How it Cooks

If you’re just planning on using your toaster oven for toasting and heating foods, one of the more basic models should fit the bill.
If you are looking for a toaster oven to use for baking or broiling, check out models that cook using either a convection or infrared (or infrawave) heating feature. Convection heating uses a small fan to circulate hot air within the oven which helps brown food more evenly and can reduce cooking time by up to 30%.
Toaster ovens with infrared (infrawave) heating elements do not need to be pre-heated, which reduces cooking time. Infrared is also helpful in speeding up the toasting process.

Easy to Clean

Toaster ovens with non-stick interiors and continuous clean features make cleaning a snap. Be sure to look for a removable crumb tray – front-access crumb trays are much easier to use.

Safety

Many toaster ovens come with an automatic shut off feature. Some will only ring a bell and continue to cook until you turn it off. The automatic shut off feature is highly recommended!
For families with small children, cool-touch sides are a high-demand safety feature. The toaster oven’s sides should not heat excessively during use.

Counter Space & Capacity

Toaster ovens come in sizes ranging from as small as 10″ x 10″ to as big as 20″ x 16″. More basic toaster ovens which are only used for toasting or heating foods are generally smaller in both size and capacity.
If you’re planning to bake casseroles or roast chickens in your toaster oven, you’ll need a larger model. If in doubt, be sure to measure your counter space BEFORE ordering your toaster oven!