More Tips on How to Buy a Convection Toaster Oven
When buying something you always start with what you plan to do with it, unless, of course, you are on retail therapy. Usually, though, before going to the mall for a pair of shoes for instance, you already know if what you want is a pair for your morning runs or for your best friend’s wedding next weekend. The same thing is true with convection toaster ovens.
You start by listing down what you will be using the oven for. Once you have settled on the size of the oven, which depends on whether you live alone or have a big family, consider what food you will be cooking. If you are one of the 93% of Americans who eat at least one pizza a month, you’ll need an oven that can quickly reach temperatures ranging from 450° to 500°F otherwise you’ll never get that crunchy pizza crust. Look for an oven with at least 1,400 watts. With this wattage, you will also be able to roast pork or chicken, which can be cooked with the oven set at 350°F for about an hour. Of course you can set it hotter if you’re hungry.
Ten-inch pizza dough is often the smallest available in groceries, so unless you make your own or have enough patience to search for smaller sizes, you will need an oven that is deep enough for this. If you plan on roasting whole chickens, you will want to be sure that the oven has a cooking chamber tall enough for it.
If you just want good crunchy toasts or freshly-baked bagels for your breakfast, you can settle for smaller ovens. You may still need the high wattage though, as bagels bake from 350° to 600°F depending on how quick you want them done, but it won’t unnecessarily take up kitchen space.
Unless you want to babysit your convection toaster oven while preparing food that takes a long time to cook, constantly poking at it to check if it is ready, buy one with an electronic temperature control. This will keep temperature level constant. An auto shut-off feature would also be useful especially if you multi-task and forget about the roast beef or pork. And if your kids use the oven for pizzas or heating leftovers, you won’t have to worry about them forgetting to turn it off.
After the crumbs, comes the cleaning. You can reduce time spent for it if you opt for stainless steel or brushed chrome. Marinade drippings from your roast can be difficult to clean with regular ovens. Look for ones with removable racks and trays. This will allow you to throw them into the dishwasher or soak them in water if the sticky stuff is proving difficult to clean. Some toaster ovens have trays with non-stick material. Others have self-cleaning features that, over time, will gradually and spontaneously tear apart stuck bits of food.