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Toaster Oven Size, Space and Looks

As you navigate your way around my website, you will notice that I constantly talk about convenience in the kitchen. After all, that’s what appliances like toaster ovens were built for.

There are so many different models on the market today that it’s easy to get lost, so to help you out I’ve added this page. Below, you will find a few handy tips on what to think about before you go ahead and decide on a toaster oven for your kitchen.

What Size do You Need?

toaster oven with breadThis is the first question that should go through your mind before you even start researching which model of toaster oven will suit you. An oven like this will (obviously) be smaller than your main oven but there are a large number of different sizes to choose from.

For instance, how many slices of toast are you likely to want to cook at one time? Some toaster ovens can handle as few as two each time and at their largest, you can toast up to six slices of bread in one go (perfect for when you have hungry guests staying over).

You will also need to make sure you’ll be able to do what you want with your new unit. There are toaster ovens on the market that will allow you to cook a whole chicken, and obviously you’d need a larger unit to do this. However, if you live alone maybe a smaller unit that will broil a piece of steak or roast a chicken breast will be enough.

The Space You Need

heat around the ovenThis is also a vital question because most toaster ovens will sit on a countertop and they are renowned for giving off heat. This means a lot of models will not only need enough space to fit on your work surface, but you will need to make sure they can vent properly as well.

In this case, I would suggest you take a look at the dimensions of the toaster oven you’re interested in and then add a few inches all around (including the top) just to be on the safe side.

Looks

For some of you what your toaster oven looks like might not be that important (perhaps you’re more into the features instead). However for many of us, adding a new appliance to the kitchen is something that’s just as much about the décor as it is about added convenience.

stainless steel toaster ovenThere is actually a lot to choose from on the market, and toaster ovens come in a variety of colors and finishes but my favorites are those that come in brushed stainless steel. It’s just nice and clean looking, neutral enough to fit with most color schemes and stainless steel is pretty easy to keep clean!

Keeping it Clean

This can be one of the biggest headaches for everyone. After all, we all know that cleaning an oven can be a real chore and it tends to be the job around the home that’s last on the list! Some toaster ovens have a non-stick interior which is fine for most people, but you do need to be careful with the types of cloths or cleaning products you use.

If you’re the type who likes to really “get in there” and have a good scrub, look for interiors that are stainless steel, aluminum or enamel. These will allow you to use more abrasive cleaning products.
You may also want to look out for toaster ovens that have a crumb tray included since toasting is probably something you will do a lot of, and this feature is really useful. Simply pull out the tray and throw the crumbs away!

All in all, it’s up to you what you decide but hopefully this page has given you an idea of where to start.

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