However, I’m accustomed to precise digital controls and presets and wished for those as I turned the dials. Considering its versatility and roomy interior, I found the price was very reasonable. This could be an oven replacement for pretty much everything except the Thanksgiving turkey or other massive meals. The removable accessories were as easy to wash as most bakeware I have, which is good because hand washing is recommended to preserve the longevity of the items.
The Comfee and Oster cords were both only 2 feet long while the rest were 3 feet or longer. It certainly isn’t the worst failing for a toaster but, depending on your kitchen layout, can be an annoyance. Beyond performance, there are several considerations to make before buying a toaster such as size, functionality, design and overall value. Be sure to consider the toaster’s size carefully before you buy. Here’s the big Oster, large enough to roast a small chicken, next to the itty-bitty Balmuda. My least favorite display was on the Oster, which had one-dimensional backset buttons and a wonky digital screen that offers very little information.
The kitchen was barely big enough for one person to maneuver and you had to access the oven at an angle. This product comes with a rotisserie hamilton beach toaster oven spit and forks that hold the food on the spit. The included rotisserie spit removal tool worked, but I felt it was a bit silly.
Your actual savings will vary based on use, and will likely be a lot less than $40. After all, most people who own toaster ovens will continue to use their full-size oven sometimes, if not most of the time, and hardly any of us will stop using our ovens altogether. Figure out what size you’ll need so you don’t waste precious counter space. If you enjoy using your main oven for most baking, broiling and roasting then stick to a smaller unit. If you want a countertop oven you really cook with, consider spending a bit more on a bigger unit.
One such smart oven worth mentioning comes from Brava, and it’s the most expensive model we’ve tested at $1,295. This oven cooks with infrared light like the Panasonic FlashXpress and relies on intelligent hamilton beach preset cooking programs to do all the thinking or you. Consider both the counter space you have to devote to your toaster and what you’ll typically use it to cook and how much of it you’ll be cooking.