What did you take for breakfast this morning? Well, if you are a little bit like me, you cannot start your days without a good toast and a cup of French Press Coffee. That said, as we settle into a new year, I thought I should start by tackling a specific age-old debate, i.e. toaster oven vs regular toaster; which works better.
Most, if not all toaster lovers have carried this toaster oven vs regular oven debate in their heads every time, they were about to acquire one of the appliances for their kitchen. In fact, most individuals wonder whether they can use a toaster oven instead of a regular one. I’ll tackle all these nuisances in this blog post today.
The good news is, there are pros and cons for each. In regards to decide which one is better than the other, it all comes down to your preferences and what you can afford to acquire in terms of money as well as counter space.
So, let me point out the main differences between a toaster oven and a regular toaster. Most of these points are the ones that’ll influence your purchasing decision, so read on.
Toaster Size
If you lack sufficient counter space in your kitchen, a regular toaster is definitely the better choice for you. Having said that, there are also small toaster ovens out there that may fit the available counter space.
Furthermore, if space is your prime consideration when choosing between the two, check out 2 in 1 units that usually have an oven at the bottom and a toaster on top to minimize the appliance’s footprint.
Toaster Cost
Without a doubt, a regular toaster is the best choice if you’re on a tight budget. You could acquire a simple regular toaster much cheaper. In fact, the cheapest regular toaster I have ever come across had a price tag of $10.
If you prefer to get the toaster oven instead, you’ll obviously have to fish out more cash. As a matter of fact, there are high-end regular toasters out there that cost as much as good quality toaster ovens. This implies that you should carefully weigh your options before you make the last decision.
Making Sandwiches
One of the main meals you can make quickly with bread are sandwiches. With a regular toaster, you can only toast the slices of bread. You cannot lay other additions onto the slices or melt cheese in order to make the best sandwich toasties. But you can do all this with a toaster oven.
And even if you prefer to eat the sweetest sandwiches, a toaster oven is the better pick. If not, you will have to acquire a distinct sandwich maker if you only have a regular toaster at home. Worst yet, another appliance implies more space will be needed and more cost will be involved.
Their Cooking Options
A toaster oven will offer you more cooking options. You do not use the appliance just for toasting slices of bread. You can also prepare your dinners with it using the multiple functions on the appliance, including bake, broil, and roast.
More advanced versions of toaster ovens even permit you to reheat, defrost, and keep your meals warm. The most expensive models in the marketplace come with all the functions you may need to prepare a wide array of recipes.
Given the toaster oven can execute many more tasks, it is undoubtedly a versatile piece to have in your kitchen compared to a regular toaster. Even the cheapest versions of toaster ovens will allow you to prepare meals such as pies and pizzas to make your life easier if you are a busy individual.
Toast Shade
When it comes to shades, a regular toaster tends to produce the best results. This is because the slice shade will be more consistent and even on both sides. A toaster oven, on the other hand, relies on wire racks or trays to hold your slices. And since most parts of the slices will not be exposed to direct heat because of the rack, the resulting toast may boast inconsistent shades throughout the slice.
That said, if you are still preferring a toaster oven, I urge you to get the high end models as they’ll work better giving you consistent shading.
Ease of use
A regular toaster is way easier to use. Since it is a one purpose appliance, you do not have to adjust any buttons and knobs as long as you have the toast shade setting right. All you have to do is put the bread slices into the slots and push down the lever.
For toaster ovens, this is a different matter. For those with analog dials, it will be extremely hard for you to get the perfect setting right every time because the appliance lacks precision. You may need to constantly turn the bread as it cooks to get an even shade on both sides.
Conclusion
So, Toaster oven vs. regular toaster, which one takes the lead? When it is all said and done, the ultimate choice is largely depending on your personal preference. But, if you can afford both, then go for it. Toaster ovens can’t beat regular toaster when it comes to ease of use or toasting results, but toaster ovens are fast, efficient, boast temperature accuracy, and can cook different kinds of food.