Countertop ovens have experienced quite the evolution in the past decade. What used to be a simple oven-like device our grandmothers used to make tuna melts in the past has now become a rather popular piece of kitchen equipment. Right now, you have a myriad of options to choose from, both in terms of size and design. When it comes to this, the best countertop oven for you is the one that meets your needs.
That’s what this article is all about – to help you choose the best toaster oven 2018 based on what you need and what you can afford. There are plenty of things to think about – what you plan to make with the oven, what size you need for your kitchen, how big do you need it to be for your meals, and whether you want it to be permanently set on a counter or wish to put it in store when you aren’t using it.
Source: thegadgetflow.com
Contents
How to Choose the Best Countertop Oven?
The fact is – countertop ovens are small in size and can fit in even the smallest kitchens, and they are perfect for baking. Thanks to their good appearance and affordability, as well as the versatility in use, many choose to purchase a countertop oven over the traditional, large oven. You can use it for roasting, baking, toasting, crisping, and any other type of cooking.
So, how do you choose? Surely, you can check out some countertop oven reviews to get an idea of the items that are highest rated among customers, but you also need to consider the following factors before you make the final decision:
1. Type of Oven
There are a couple of different options when it comes to countertop oven types. Some of the most popular ones are:
- Countertop toaster oven: used to brown, warm up or toast meals. Perfect for speedy meal-cooking.
- Countertop convection oven: used to cook food at a lesser temperature and more evenly. They use technology that saves money and time by displacing the air inside the oven, which heats the food more evenly.
- Rotisserie oven: used mostly for cooking meat. Thanks to its rotating spit, you can cook the meats more evenly and make them more succulent. They often come in the form of a large countertop oven, making it possible to fit a couple of chickens inside.
2. Size of Oven
Whatever appliance you choose to buy, you first need to consider its size. Based on the space you have in your kitchen, you need an oven that will fit on your free counter space. So, before you decide on the best countertop convection oven to purchase, you need to consider your space.
How much are you willing or able to dedicate for this oven? Some countertop ovens are much larger than others, so you might want to look at the size before you make a purchase based on only design or functionality.
There’s also the matter of what you plan to cook inside the oven. How big the oven is will determine how much food you can cook at the same time, and whether or not you want to fit large or small meals.
3. Use of Oven
Once you have made a decision regarding the size and the type of countertop oven you need, you should ask yourself if the oven you have chosen has the uses you need for your cooking. When looking at countertop ovens, find out what those ovens can do for you and what you can put in it before you buy one.
Source: consumerreports.org
4. Price of Oven
Of course, there is the matter of price – one of the biggest factors to look at when buying an appliance. If you wish to buy the best countertop oven money can buy, you should still check out the market to see what the price range is based on features and quality offered. If you want to choose something simple and modest, you don’t have to go for the brands. What you need is the product that meets your needs and budget.
The quality and features of an oven can also determine how much that oven will spend in the long run, so make sure to calculate the electricity cost in your price calculations, too. Countertop ovens are popular because they are small and easy to use, but also because they are time-efficient, and money-saving.
5. Oven Settings
If you are new to using a countertop oven, you might want to check out the settings before you make the purchase. This will give you an insight into the uses of the oven, too. Knowing the basic functions and settings of the oven is important, especially if you want it to serve you for a long time.
Technology constantly changes, which means that at this point, there are many settings an oven can have. Functions can vary, but the principle of operating should be similar to any countertop oven you have had. Entry level toasters have the basic settings of bake, toast, and broil. Higher-level oven models and more popular brands will include other settings like roast and defrost.
These settings will depend on the maker, so you should read the guidelines carefully before you buy or use the countertop oven. This will help you get the best results the oven can offer, as well as ensure your safety and that of your family. And of course, they will help you cook the food as you want it.
Source: newkitchenlife.com
Conclusion
The tips above should help you determine why and how you should choose your countertop oven. Based on what you need and what countertop ovens are available to you, you can select a product that will provide you with all those fancy features you need. Thankfully, the market for countertop ovens is very large and popular nowadays, so you should have no trouble finding the one that fits perfectly into your kitchen and meets all of your cooking needs.
