Enjoying a crispy bite of a perfectly toasted slice of bread can be an uplifting experience in the morning. Not to mention, a toaster oven is often multifunctional, allowing you to cook pizza, cookies, roast chicken, and many more.
For all of these, however, you need the right kitchen appliance and, if you already have a crowded countertop, buying more devices is not so wise.
Fortunately, there are a plethora of toaster ovens that can utilize the free space under the kitchen cabinet. But before we diving into this topic, I want you to make sure that buying a toaster oven is really what you need, as some prime models cost hundreds of bucks.
In the Post
- Is It Worth Investing in a Good Quality Toaster Oven?
- Is the Toaster Oven the Same as a Toaster?
- Our 5 Picks of Best under Cabinet Toaster Ovens
- What to Consider When Choosing a Toaster Oven
- Food That Should Not Be Cooked in a Toaster Oven
- How to Safely Clean Your Toaster Oven
- Safety Tips When Using the Toaster Oven
- Best under Cabinet Toaster Ovens – FAQs
- Summary
Is It Worth Investing in a Good Quality Toaster Oven?
For people who prefer cooking most of their meals at home, toaster ovens can save a lot of time and make life much easier.
Another great perk is that they are so advanced and fully-packed with features that a toaster oven can now simply replace the traditional, bulky oven or even range. Regardless, a toaster oven brings lots of value even if you do not plan to replace your conventional oven.
First of all, the toaster oven can do exactly what it advertises – help you make a crispy, brown slice of toast for your breakfast. In addition to this, they can be used to reheat your leftovers, bake a pizza, and more. Possibilities are endless and toaster oven recipes are more accessible than ever.
Another benefit is that if you want to prepare only one or two servings, a toaster oven can save time. The traditional oven typically takes longer to preheat and to cook given its larger dimensions. Also, the toaster oven is more energy-efficient due to its small size.
Is the Toaster Oven the Same as a Toaster?
Although there is an obvious similarity in their terminology, the two appliances are completely different.
- Toasters are smaller devices that can toast two or four slices of bread. Some advanced designs allow you to fully control the temperature and shade.
However, toasters cannot do anything else apart from toasting bread, waffles, bagels, and similar products. - Toaster ovens are more attractive to buyers because they have many functions that we can find in the typical oven, such as grilling, defrosting, baking, and more.
That said, you sometimes need to pay more in order to get more delectable crunches.
So, here are our top picks of this year!
Our 5 Picks of Best under Cabinet Toaster Ovens
1. Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven
Panasonic is a reliable brand with an excellent reputation when it comes to quality and durability. The FlashXpress is known as one of the most compact toaster ovens and it does not overheat, thus being safer than many other alternatives.
Features
- Instant heating for quick food preparation
- High-temperature range from 250F to 500F
- Six pre-set cooking modes for versatility
- One of the most compact designs
- Digital time, crust control, and many other features
Panasonic FlasXpress is an affordable under cabinet toaster oven, fully packed with a wide range of perks.
Instant Heating
The toaster oven can prepare food 40% faster than conventional ovens because of its instant heating function. In other words, it saves time as you do not need to wait for pre-heating.
Pushing the start button generates instant, highly efficient heat from its ceramic and quartz elements for thoroughly cooked meals.
Six Pre-Set Cooking Modes
FlashXpress boasts six pre-set cooking modes for bagels, bread, English muffins, pastries, and croissants. You may also use it to thaw or heat waffles, dinner rolls, biscuits, hamburger buns, and many more.
The hash brown setting is also ideal for baking French fries or making onion rings.
Temperature Control
Apart from the fact that the toaster does not overheat, the temperature control allows you to finely control it for precise cooking. There are eight incremental settings that range from 250F to 500F, all managed using a touch button with intuitive arrows.
Drawbacks
The maximum baking time allowed at once is 25 minutes, so you need to turn it on repeatedly for meals that require more than this, such as baked potatoes.
Editor’s note
All in all, Panasonic FlashXpress is the item anyone needs in a modern, smart home. It is affordable and extremely versatile, cooking anything from pizza to bagels, pastries, waffles, and hamburger buns.
2. Black+Decker Spacemaker TO3290XSBD
Another solution for the sophisticated home cook, Black Decker Spacemaker is one of the smallest toasters. The unit can easily fit even under the smallest cabinets.
Features
- Space-saving design
- Several pre-set functions
- Has an auto-shutoff 120-minute timer
- Easy to install
- 2 years limited warranty
The Black Decker Spacemaker is ideal not only for space-conscious homeowners but also for RVs and offices where compact appliances are a must.
Easy to Install
You can place the Spacemaker under the smallest cabinets within a few minutes. It includes step-by-step instructions and all the accessories you need, apart from the screwdriver, electric drill, tape measure, and safety glasses.
Intuitive Controls
The toaster sports an intuitive control panel with clearly labeled buttons for turning it on and off for each function. There are three functions ideal for cooking different meals: keep warm, bake, and toast. The temperature range is between 200F and 400F.
Easy Cleaning
If you are concerned about maintenance, rest assured! This compact unit is easy to clean due to its drop-down crumb tray that will collect all the bread pieces that fall during toasting. To remove it, all you need to do is press a button, pull the tray out, and wipe it clean with a wet cloth.
Drawback
The screws it comes with are quite short, so you should make sure that the toaster oven is properly mounted.
Editor’s note
All in all, the Black Decker Spacemaker is an excellent solution that combines simplicity with easy maintenance, while toasting and baking goods to perfection. It is the must-have appliance in your small kitchen, RV, or office!
3. KitchenAid KCO275SS
For an easy cooking experience, the KitchenAid KCO275SS is an excellent option. It is suitable for cooking up to two 12-inch pizzas at a time, and it comes with 9 pre-programmed and easy-to-use functions.
Features
- 9 pre-programmed functions
- 1-year warranty
- 7 lbs and 15 x 18 x 13.9 inches
- Temperature up to 500F
- Spacious
Whether you want to toast your slice of bread to perfection, have some cookies, or bake pizza, this toaster oven ticks all the boxes.
Intuitive Functions
The KitchenAid KCO275SS toaster oven has up to nine functions that are easy to use: toast, bake, pizza, cookie, bagel, reheat, keep warm, broil, and roast.
This eliminates the need to set the right temperature when you prepare your favorite foods. All you need to do is select the correct function and turn the knob!
Spacious Capacity
Compared to other similar toaster ovens, the KitchenAid is extremely spacious, turning it into the ideal appliance for the entire family.
For comparison, you can insert two 12-inch pizzas at once, so it is a strong competitor to the traditional oven. This is useful when your friends and family come over with food, as you can warm up their goods in the toaster oven while using your traditional oven for other tasks.
The overall design ensures that it perfectly fits in your kitchen.
LCD Display
The display eliminates all the guesswork as it clearly displays useful information: if it is preheating or ready to use, temperature, time, and how much you still need to wait until the food is done. This offers full control over the cooking process.
Convection System
Another highlight of the toaster oven is the convection system that can easily cook a delicious, juicy chicken meal.
In case you have a small kitchen, or you live in a studio or dorm, the small footprint of this appliance will integrate seamlessly into the décor. Its multiple functions mean that you can even replace the traditional, bulky oven.
Easy to Clean
Finally, this toaster oven is very easy to clean and maintain. This is because the interior has a non-stick coating that only takes a damp cloth to wipe clean. It also includes a drip tray, which also has a non-stick finish, so you do not need to worry about scraping away baked food or scrubbing the dry grease.
Drawback
One surprising drawback of this premium-quality toaster oven is that it lacks lighting. This makes it difficult to see what is happening inside, especially if the location is quite dark, or if you want to use it at night.
Although this seems like a minor aspect, some people do expect interior lighting when it comes to any type of oven.
Editor’s note
This oven has many convenient features that surely add functionality to any kitchen. Its advanced features can even replace the traditional oven thanks to the convection system.
4. Cuisinart TOB-260N1
Cuisinart is a top brand when it comes to kitchen appliances. This model boasts even heating due to its proprietary convection system and five heating elements.
Features
- Quick heating time
- 15 functions
- Cooking time up to 2 hours
- Interior light
- Five quartz heating elements
Cuisinart TOB-260N1 is so much more than a simple toaster oven – it is the kitchen appliance everyone has been missing!
Unmatched Craftsmanship
It is not a surprise that Cuisinart is associated with excellent craftsmanship, given the consistent quality and performance, they deliver in each product.
The outside is made of shiny stainless steel that can be easily cleaned. The large window and the interior lighting are great perks compared to the previous alternative.
Another thoughtful design aspect is the fact that you get a pair of cord cleats on the back of the toaster, so you can easily store the cord when the device is not in use.
Complex Control Panel
Furthermore, the LCD screen is not only bright and intuitive but also straightforward. All you need to do is tap the knob and the toaster turns on.
Then, you can choose one of its 15 functions, adjust or keep the time and temperature. One great feature is the toast function that allows you to choose both the number of pieces and shade, adjusting time and temperature accordingly.
Additional Features
It also has numerous other buttons that might seem quite complicated at first. You can add more cooking time in 30-second increments, skip preheating by turning on the convection system, turn on light.
It also has two types of cooking modes, keep warm, and cooking. If you make chicken, you can also choose broil at the end of the cooking, so the meats get a brown, crispy layer.
Accessories
Another great aspect is that the toaster oven comes with more accessories than other products.
The package also contains a pizza stone ideal for medium sizes, a drip pan that is easy to clean, two baking racks, a broiling pan, and even a recipe book. The crumb tray is easy to wipe dry because of the non-stick coating.
Drawback
This toaster oven might seem overly complicated to most buyers. This is because of the 15 functions, numerous buttons, and other customizable settings.
Editor’s note
All in all, the Cuisinart convection toaster oven offers high value for money. It can be used for numerous dishes, and it can cook continuously for up to 2 hours, perfect for the seasoned home cook.
5. Breville BOV800XL
Similar to other products, Breville has a convection cooking function, broiling, toasting, and many more. It boasts a compact design, but it can be on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of price.
Features
- Up to 2 hrs. cooking time
- Temperature range from 120 to 450F
- Up to 9 functions
- Toast allows for shade and number of slices
- Easy to use and maintain
The Breville BOV800XL is a high-performing, easy-to-maintain toaster oven, ideal for space-conscious buyers.
Smart Design
One of the highlights of this product is the sturdy construction made of stainless steel. It offers a modern touch that would look attractive in any kitchen.
In addition to this, it includes a pizza pan, a broil rack, and a baking pan. It can cook a 13-inch pizza, or roast a chicken, being ideal for the entire family.
While it is not the largest appliance of this type, the interior is 0.8 cubic feet, one of the most spacious on the market.
Rack Height Options
A thoughtful highlight is the adjustable height for cooking racks, depending on what you prepare. The window has a clear guide on the outside, showing how to place the racks.
This is a time-saving and convenient feature because you do not need to pull out the instructions manual each time you use the toaster oven.
Simple Control Panel
Unless other complicated designs, this product scores high on simplicity and ease of use. The control panel has only three dials that control the function, temperature, and time.
Other four buttons can be used to change between Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees, frozen food, convection, and start/cancel.
Drawback
Breville is an excellent option if you are not keen on purchasing a very complex appliance, but its size and price are considerably higher than other options.
Editor’s note
All in all, Breville is a smart toaster oven that is recommended for its durability, quality, and overall simplicity. It is ideal for cooking different meals and comes with several accessories.
What to Consider When Choosing a Toaster Oven
If you happened to have a second thought, I’d like to discuss with you some tips when choose a nice toaster oven.
The best features of a toast oven depend on what you usually cook, how often, and what your expectations are. Fortunately, most designs are quite versatile and comprehensive, so they can fulfill almost any requirement.
Accessories
The accessories for your toaster oven are extremely important because your standard cookware will not fit in the toaster oven. As a result, if you expect to cook more than just a toast, you should keep in mind that you need accessories.
Most models already include a crumb pan and a baking rack, while higher-end models also come with pizza stones, broiler trays, and baking pans. Fortunately, it is also possible to purchase these items separately in case your preferred model does not include everything you need.
Advanced Heating Elements
The most standard models come with one or two heating elements that will cook and brown your foods on both sides.
A premium toaster oven comes with more heating elements, so they accommodate multiple types of cooking: convection heating, broiling, and more. This helps to cook foods much faster and achieve spectacular results.
Another feature of high-quality models is the unique heating elements on some models that do not require preheating.
This innovative technology helps you save time; however, if you only need a toaster oven for an occasional toast or pizza, there is no need to overspend on complicated models.
Adjustments and Features
This is an important feature as some people are not so tech-savvy, so they might find it difficult to learn how to manipulate these devices.
Temperature flexibility, plenty of modes and customization sound great if you want to tackle all types of foods, but can also be a huge drawback for someone who wants a simple model or does not cook at home much.
Automatic settings are a huge benefit if you often eat the same foods, so you do not need to spend time adjusting temperature each time you bake a pizza, for instance.
Timers and Cooking Time
Some models can cook food for 25 minutes at a time, others can go up to a couple of hours. This depends on what you plan on preparing.
For instance, if you often eat potatoes, 25 minutes will not be sufficient to cook it thoroughly. However, if you are not so much into cooking, this might be more than enough, especially if you often have frozen foods or ready meals.
Ideally, the best toaster oven comes with a timer that alerts you when the food is done, so you know that it’s ready to serve. It should also automatically turn off at the same time in order to avoid burning the food.
Easy Maintenance
No one enjoys soaking burnt dishes forever hoping that the dry food will come off, and it is even more relevant in the case of a toaster oven since it is more difficult to clean.
Maintenance is a must for safety reasons, too. A drip or crumb tray that covers the bottom is ideal to help you clean it quickly, and non-stick coating can quickly release any attached foods.
Food That Should Not Be Cooked in a Toaster Oven
Most frozen foods advertise on their labels that the product should not be cooked in a toaster oven.
This is because these appliances vary in size, distance from the heating elements, insulation, and heat distribution. Placing the food too close to the heating element can lead to a fire hazard. It is important to read the label carefully.
How to Safely Clean Your Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens, similar to microwave ovens, can be quite demanding in terms of maintenance. The right method will also help you extend its service life.
Before cleaning, make sure you unplugged your device and allowed it to cool down, otherwise, you could burn yourself on the hot heating elements.
Remove the inside baking racks and, using a damp cloth, wipe off any debris from the door, window, and interior. For small crevices, you can use a cotton bud to remove the crumbs.
Next, take out the crumb tray, empty it, and wipe it off with a damp cloth. If the food is stuck, you can leave the tray to soak in warm water for a few minutes and then wipe it again.
Place warm water, dishwashing soap, and white vinegar in a bowl. Dip a non-abrasive sponge in the mix and clean the interior of the toaster oven using a circular movement.
This will clean any remaining debris and grease. Follow the same steps to clean the outside of the toaster oven. Finally, to clean the outside of the glass door, you can use any glass cleaner, and then a microfiber towel to tap it dry.
Suggestion
You should clean your toaster oven at least once per week, depending on how often you use it. This also prevents the oven from releasing a burning smell when you turn it on which is the result of burning grease and crumbs.
Safety Tips When Using the Toaster Oven
While the chances of having an accident are quite low, especially if you follow the instructions, there is still a risk due to the presence of heating elements.
Make sure you keep your hands away from the racks or elements and use mitts for protection. There is a chance that someone else might accidentally touch the sides or the top of the oven after it’s been recently in use, so the toaster oven should not be placed in an exposed area.
There is a high risk of fire if you do not clean your toaster oven periodically because the food parts, such as debris, can catch on fire. This is because the heating elements are very close to the combustible matter.
In general, make sure you adopt a preventive behavior when using the toaster oven.
Best under Cabinet Toaster Ovens – FAQs
Can I put in metal/plasticware?
You should never use a metal utensil or any other tool inside the toaster oven, not even to reach for food. You may use wooden or plastic ones, including plasticware, but only if they specifically mention that they are oven-safe.
Also, you should never place aluminum foil inside the oven because it melts and turns into a fire hazard.
Other items that should never go into a toaster oven are glass dishes, metal baking pans, cast iron, mason jars, coffee mugs or cups, parchment paper, and plastic.
Will the machine explode under certain conditions?
The likelihood of an explosion is extremely rare, but it still exists. In case of extreme heat, the glass door can explode and shatter outwards.
Is it safe to put the toaster oven under the kitchen cabinet?
When your kitchen countertops get peppered with plenty of indispensable devices, the best option is to utilize the space under the cabinets.
However, keep in mind that not all toaster ovens are safe to be placed under the cabinet – make sure you check that your device specifies it in the instructions’ manual. The unit should also come with a mounting kit to help you easily install it.
Even if the appliance can be safely installed under the cabinet, there are still some spaces that must be avoided because the toaster oven will release heat.
As a result, you should not mount the toaster oven over or next to light fixtures, cabinet partitions, stove, sink, and other elements of your kitchen. There should be considerable space between these items to avoid overheating.
Summary
Toaster ovens can be indispensable for breakfast lovers, especially because they are quick and effortless.
With so many options available on the market, it is important to plan ahead and decide what you are likely to cook most of the time, the number of portions, and the features you’d like to have.
If you are into high-tech appliances, choosing a premium model will surely surprise you with numerous customizable pre-sets that will ease the entire cooking process.
Make sure you choose a model that you will love to use, and your conventional oven or range will be out of business in no time!
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