1. Toaster Ovens A Primer and Selection Guide
Many of us are finding ourselves needing to make smaller portions of food because we have fewer people living in the house or everyone has a different schedule and are eating at different times of the day. A toaster oven can be a handy appliance for such households. Today we’ll be discussing some advantages and challenges of toaster ovens along with some features to look for if you are considering purchasing one. We’ll also cover a little on maintaining the appliance.
ASK: How many of you own a toaster oven? Ask a few of those who raise their hands what they typically use their toaster ovens for. (The next slide will reveal some statistics on how toaster ovens are most often used.)

2. General About 1.7 million toaster ovens are sold in America every year
Average life expectancy – 5 years
Most often use for toasting and baking
Rarely used for defrosting, warming or broiling
27 percent of households use it only for toasting
7 percent use it only for baking
37 percent of those polled use their toaster oven
2 to 3 times a week
19 percent use it once a day
Full-size ovens are not very efficient for cooking small amounts of food. Toaster ovens can be used to efficiently prepare smaller amounts of food – useful in single or couple households.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency “Cooking a meal in a toaster oven has the potential to save over 50 percent of the energy used to cook the same meal in a conventional electric oven.” (Source: Energy Star Market and Industry Scoping Report: Toaster Ovens, November 2011)
General
Source: Energy Star Market and Industry Scoping Report: Toaster Ovens, November 2011

3. Advantages Uses 1/2 to 1/3 less energy than regular ovens Portable
Some can be mounted under cabinet
Preheats quickly (5 minutes or less)
May have rotisserie or dehydrating capability
Great for cooking small amounts
Doesn’t heat up the kitchen or house
Toaster ovens heat quickly – preheating can take as few as 5 minutes.
They use less energy than regular ovens – by heating a smaller space.
Food does not necessarily cook faster in a toaster oven.
Some models can be mounted under the cabinet – but not all. These models are advantageous if counter space is a premium. If you want to mount one under a cabinet buy that type. They have special features to move the heat away from the unit – to not damage the cabinets.
Some have special features – some will hold a 9-by-13 inch pan or have a rotisserie option.
Small amounts are easy to fix – you can make cookie dough, freeze it in portions, then bake only the portions you want to at one time.
Advantages

4. Disadvantages or Challenges
Amount of food
Smaller sizes limit recipe options
Cleaning
Counter space
Watts
Convenience foods
About the only disadvantage is they don’t hold large amounts of food.
Smaller models may not cook foods well – they may burn products because the elements are too close to the food. Additionally, some convenience foods (frozen entrees and similar products) may have directions to NOT use a toaster oven on their label for food safety reasons. Some foods cannot be successfully heated to a high enough temperature in a toaster oven to ensure a safe and quality food product.
Some interiors are difficult to clean especially if there is no removable crumb tray or if the heating elements are fixed.
Counter space – or storage space if you don’t want it on the counter – can be consumed.
Have to decide how often you think you might use the appliance.
Depending on the watts it pulls during use, you may have to dedicate an outlet to the appliance – usually anything over about 1,440 watts needs its own outlet.
Disadvantages or Challenges

5. Using Hot exterior surfaces Cover tops Bakeware Aluminum foil on racks
Bakeware choices should probably say “suitable for broiling” or safe for broiling or at least not say “do not use under a broiler.”
Preheating may only take 5 minutes.
Keep in mind most are not insulated – so they will get hot on the outside – usually all the way around. May want to check the counter surface under the oven to see if it needs to be protected.
Be sure there is no plastic or paper around that might get hot, melt or catch fire. Exteriors of most ovens get very, very hot – burns and fires may result.
If you see an item getting too brown on top, too quickly, you may have to put a piece of aluminum foil over it.
It is best to not cover the racks with aluminum foil, it will impede air circulation and heat transfer. This practice may also cause a fire.
Using

6. Cleaning Unplug Crumb tray Small brush Interior
Cleaning will help with better heating; foods won’t contaminate others and you’ll extend the life of the appliance.
Unplug it – risk shock if you don’t. Also difficult to move the appliance around if it is attached to the wall.
Remove the crumb tray if you can – a feature you may want to consider when purchasing.
Small brush can help clean crumbs from difficult to reach spaces.
Rubbing alcohol will cut grease – however use caution if you choose to use this for cleaning. Use a small amount on a cloth and be sure to provide plenty of ventilation in the area. Additionally, be sure the oven is completely cool and unplug before using rubbing alcohol.
Be sure to wipe down the inside ceiling of the oven after each use – or heavy use.
Some parts of the appliance are designed to deflect and reflect the heat. Dirt and soil build-up on the appliance will affect heat transfer. Also, if dirt builds up on the thermostat the function of the appliance will also be affected.
Cleaning

7. Purchasing Potential uses Size Exterior finish Cost Controls
Size – “ measure twice, cut once” – some ovens can take up quite a bit of counter space. Also, consider the size of the interior. What do you think you will be cooking in your toaster oven? What size pans do you think you will need to use in your toaster oven? Will they fit? Some ovens will accommodate a 9-by-13 inch pan. However, this oven may take up space on a counter that you can’t spare.
Some cost $30.00; some may cost up to $300. Usually, the more expensive, the more features. However, do you need all of the options and features for your intended use?
The operation of some are easy to understand and intuitive; some not so easy. Be sure to read the manual before using the appliance.
Look at the controls. Are they easy to read and see? Will they be easy to use? Are the settings ones you think you will use most often?
Research a variety of brands. Some brands are known for their quality but may have a high price. Other brands provide value and quality.
Purchasing

8. Features Different baking modes
Multiple rack positions – more racks may mean a taller oven
Timer
Cool touch exterior
Some have been designed to almost replace a regular oven – in fact some are now called counter top ovens. No longer just used to toast bread, melt cheese or heat a bagel.
There are several areas to consider when selecting a new oven.
Think about the different baking modes available. Toast is common. Bake is usually available and convection may be an option to consider. Some have specific settings for pizza or toast darkness.
First and foremost should be space. After that consider your needs (what do you plan to use it for), and your budget.
Some feature a timer that will shut the oven off when the timer goes off.
Features

9. Checklist of Features Size, Appearance, Warranty Safety Weight
Handles for moving
Exterior
Safety
Automatic shut-off
Door closes
Rack
Size – outside – will it fit in the space you have? It is better to measure twice and purchase once. Be sure to measure width, depth and height.
Inside – will it accommodate what you plan to make? – some fit 4 slices of toast, some 6 and some now accommodate a
9-by-13 inch pan.
Do you plan to move the appliance – and will you need handles?
What color or finish do you want? This decision may affect the brands and choices you have.
Most have a standard warranty – most are one year. However, where do you have to take or send the appliance if it doesn’t work?
Safety – exterior surfaces will get hot. If you have small children this may be a concern. If you have an elderly person in your household it may also be a concern.
Auto shut-off – may shut off if tipped OR if the door is opened. Not all ovens shut off when the door is opened. This feature may be helpful in a household with small children or elderly family members.
Another feature is how well the door closes and stays closed. This is not only an efficiency concern – but also a safety concern as you reach over items.
Do the racks come out with the door – or do you have to manually move them? Those that come out with the door may be more convenient and result in fewer burns and accidents.
Checklist of Features

10. Checklist of Features Cleaning Accessories Removable racks
Interior finish
Accessories
Types of pans
Crumb tray
Cleaning –
Removable racks so you can fully reach all areas of the interior are handy
Some interiors are aluminum and foods will stain and pit them over time
Some have enamel interiors (higher end)
Some have non-stick – and the non-stick may have chemicals that are being phased out – even high end ones may have this type of finish. However, you are generally NOT putting food directly on the finish so it may not be as much of an issue. It might be nice if you plan to broil or bake items that are higher in fat – meats, roasting vegetables or potatoes, and the like, where fats will spatter.
Accessories (NOTE TO PRESENTER – you may want to have a variety of toaster oven sized pans for display and possible use)
What kinds of pans are included
What kinds of pans will fit – and do you already own those or are they easily found?
How does the crumb tray work – does it have one, is it removable, is it easy to remove and return into place
Checklist of Features

11. Checklist of Features Controls and Functions
Easy-to-use and see controls
Pre-set cooking functions
Adjustable racks
Digital or analog
Timer
Clock
Rotisserie
Convection
Thermostat settings
Quartz elements
Are the controls easy to SEE and use. Are they intuitive?
Are there pre-sets – but also flexibility to make your own changes
Digital gives a bit more flexibility – can set oven to 365 – not almost or in the area of 365
Timer – comes in handy and you don’t have to have a separate one
Clock – do you need another clock or will it only annoy? This feature will consume energy even when not in use
Rotisserie – do you plan to use it in this manner?
Convection – circulates the air making the heat distribution better. Can usually reduce the oven temperature (25 degrees). Will sometimes speed up the cooking time. These usually cost more money.
Thermostat setting – will the oven go as low and as high as you expect or want it to?
Quartz elements as opposed to nickel and chromium – quartz heats faster and cools faster. It is more responsive, provides steadier heat, and eliminates the usual toaster oven pitfall – hot spots that form directly under the elements.
Checklist of Features

12. Alley, Lynn. (2009). The Gourmet Toaster Oven: Simple and Sophisticated Meals for the Busy Cook. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.
Consumer Reports (2011, February). Toaster ovens & toasters: Bread and beyond for as little as $80. Pages
Consumer Reports (2012, March). Best toasters and toaster ovens. Page 45.
Consumer Reports (2013, November). The toast of the town. Pages
Environmental Protection Agency. (2011, November) Energy Star Market & Industry Scoping Report: Toaster Ovens accessed December 19, 2013 at
Hennington, T. & Osborne, A. (2010, June). Home and Environment: Saving Energy and Money - Appliances. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Publication HENV-703.
McFadden, J.R., Rasdall J.O. & Hunt F.E. (Eds.) (2010). Consumer Technology: Energy and Equipment Food Related. Association of Home Equipment Educators.
Sobey, Ed. (2010). The Way Kitchens Work: The Science Behind the Microwave, Teflon Pan, Garbage Disposal, and More. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc., p
Toaster Ovens. (2011, March 1). Cook’s Illustrated. Accessed January 14, 2014 at
Weber, J.M. (1978, March). Facts About Toasters and Toaster Ovens. Oregon State University Extension Services. Publication EC932.
Who Invented the Toaster Oven - History of the First Toaster (n.d.). Accessed December 11, 2013 at
These are the references used to prepare this program.
References

13. Boone County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences May 2017
Photographs: 123RF
Diane M. Mason, M.S., R.D., L.D.
Boone County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences   
May 2017
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Pause on this slide for a short time.

14. Toaster Ovens A Primer and Selection Guide
Today we have looked as some of the advantages and challenges of using a toaster oven. They can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods – not just toast breads and pastries. They can also save energy and come in handy to prepare smaller amounts of foods. If you already own a toaster oven, I challenge you to explore additional uses for it. If you do not own one, I challenge you to explore what is on the market and consider if one would be useful for you and your household.
Note to Presenter:
This ends the presentation if conducting this program without any food experiments. The next slide provides an opportunity to tell participants what they will be doing.
If you do not plan to do any food preparation or examination of ovens, you can now distribute and collect the immediately following evaluations and answer any questions that may have been asked.
Please complete and return the evaluations. It is important for us to know what you have learned during this session and how you plan to use the information.
Answer any questions that may have come up.

15. Activities Toast Cookies Sweet rolls
Adapt the information for the activity you plan to do with your audience.
Each group will toast two slices of bread. Time how long it takes to get to medium or golden brown. Use the “medium” toast setting. Use a commercial basic white bread for this comparison.
Each group will bake 6 cookies – “Break-and-Bake” cookie dough (found in the refrigerated case of most grocery stores). Using “Break and Bake” reduces the variability of forming from-scratch cookie dough). Use the flat pan or tray provided with the oven. Make note of any issues you have with the cookies (size of pan, shape of pan, pan too close to the heating element, cookies to more or less time to bake than the time suggested in the package instructions, cookies did or did not bake evenly, etc.).
Each group will make one container of sweet rolls – all in an round cake pan. Use the sweet rolls found in the tube in the refrigerated section of the grocery store to reduce the variability of samples. When the rolls are done, invert them onto a cooling rack, then onto a serving plate. Do not put the icing on the rolls so the groups can evaluate the overall appearance of the rolls.
Put the items out beside your oven so everyone can see them.
Everyone please look at the different ovens – you have a comparison form that will allow you to make notes about the ovens. The form is for you to use and keep but we’ll come back together to discuss your observations.
Activities