http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x81747Oh my.
I went to the "Canada" and "Wyoming" forums on Skins's island to see if there was anything new and interesting, but nope, there was nothing new and interesting, so I checked out the cooking and baking primitives.
japple (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 09:03 AM
Original message
Toaster ovens
My old Kenmore toaster oven is on it's last legs and I'll have to replace it soon. I read a Consumer Reports article sometime back that had a Black & Decker model listed as "best buy," so I went to amazon.com to read the reviews for Black & Decker toaster ovens. Many of the reviews were good, but lots of them said that the units were fire hazzards and got too hot on the outside.
Does anyone have a suggestion, recommendation on what I should be looking for in a toaster oven?
How about just using the oven that's, uh, built into the stove?
The empressof all (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 10:47 AM
THE IMPERIOUS PRIMITIVE, WHO DOESN'T LIKE US
Response to Original message
1. They've gotten pretty fancy
It comes down to what you really need it for. I saw one recently that had a rotisserie, convection feature and a pizza drawer for pizza baking.
I don't have suggestions for brand sorry---I don't have room for one right now.
japple (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 10:50 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. I mainly use it for making toast, heating leftovers, and baking small things, like potatoes. I don't want any fancy gadgets like rotisseries. I just want one that won't burn down the house.
How about just using the oven that's, uh, built into the stove?
TreasonousBastard (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 12:38 PM
THE PRIMITIVE FULL OF BEANS
Response to Original message
3. I would believe a Consumer Reports rec over anonymous Amazon reviews...
and every medium or low priced toaster oven with a metal body will get hot. I've had a dozen or so of them over the years and they all worked reasonably well.
I now have a toaster for toast and found a humongous Hamilton Beach oven on sale at K-Mart for heavier duties. It has two racks (two pies at the same time!) a rotisserie and a convection setting. However, if you don't plan on roasting an Oven Stuffer in the thing, I would recommend pretty much anything out there that meets some basic criteria.
Forget buying online-- find a store and see if the opening on the one you want is really big enough to roast those potatoes without them touching the top elements and burning. Will it be easy to get the toast in and out? Does it come with a rack and tray in case you might want to broil a chop? Does it feel cheap and cheesy like it will fall apart after a week? How easy is it to clean the bottom-- does it have an easily removable crumb/drip tray?
The empressof all (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 12:45 PM
THE IMPERIOUS PRIMITIVE, WHO DOESN'T LIKE US
Response to Reply #3
4. I think the convection feature is a good one
It helps to cook things faster and gives a better browning for meats and baked goods.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 12:52 PM
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE, #09 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009
Response to Original message
5. I have a Magic Chef, built exactly like a B&D but with cosmetic differences like a slightly beefier door assembly. The difference was only a couple of bucks but it was worth it for me.
The B&D model (and the one I have) do get very hot on the outside, so you need to be careful where you place it in the kitchen. This is a design problem with all lower end toaster ovens, but not a problem if you keep the unit away from flammable materials and tiny hands.
You have to pay through the nose to get a fancier toaster oven that stays cool on the outside, really not worth it for me.
grasswire (1000+ posts) Thu Nov-11-10 01:06 PM
THE PRIMITIVE WHO SHOPS FOR GROCERIES EVERY DAY BECAUSE IT'S "EUROPEAN"
Response to Original message
6. I sure miss my old cheap toaster oven
My new "better" one from GE gets extremely hot on the outside, takes 12 minutes to make a piece of toast, and doesn't get up to temp, topping out at about 350.
I have it on top of a thick aluminum cookie sheet on my workspace so there is no chance of damaging the surface underneath.
My old toaster oven was a Black and Decker and I had it for fourteen years. I only got rid of it because it looked shabby after that time. I shoulda kept it.
