Having a working husband and raising three kids means extremely busy mornings for me. Thus, unless I set my affairs in order and sort the breakfast on time, it implies my man and children are either leaving the house hungry or late for work and school respectively. And as you may have guessed, that is something I cannot let happen. And under no conditions am I feeding them cereals even two days in a row, so having a premium oven to help me prepare a great meal for them each morning is a lifesaver.
Choosing the best oven got to a point where I had the toaster vs oven battle to see which one could help me win the daily challenge.
To find a solution for the gridlock, I read thousands of posts and watched hundreds of videos on YouTube to see which one would better suit my needs. The good news is, I found a solution. So, I thought it would only be fair if I created a comprehensive, but concise, post to help others who may be waffling between the two decision as I was a couple of weeks ago.
But prior to comparing these two fascinating kitchen gadgets, let us start by reviewing several basics about them.
Toaster Oven
As we already know, toaster ovens are basically small ovens with extra features such as defrosting. Toaster ovens usually use fast heating warming elements, normally placed at the top and bottom in order to warm up the air. You can use a toaster oven for baking, broiling and toasting. Even better, they are fast to use and boast a practical design, so you can prepare all types of food in them; be they sweet or salty, and cleaning is likewise extremely easy.
Conventional Ovens
Conventional Ovens are similar, but a little bit different from toaster ovens. In addition, most modern conventional ovens rely on gas or electricity for fuel nowadays; as opposed to wood-fired ovens from the past. Some conventional ovens are incorporated into a complete cooking unit with gas jets on top for cooking in pans and pots. Others are constructed into the cabinet and operated distinctly. Some of the uses of conventional ovens include toasting or browning, reheating previously cooked food, cooking casseroles, roasting or broiling meat and baking pies, bread, or cakes.
Does toaster oven save electricity?
Most, if not all conventional ovens heat from either the bottom or top side and come with a self-contained thermostat in order to keep the temperature steady inside the oven. Some ovens are computerized and even have digital controls, providing cutting-edge functionality.
The bottom line in ovens, however, is the fact that the heated air in the oven cubicle cooks the food gradually, with the heat operating from the outside in. Someone who has utilized a conventional oven will tell you, without a doubt, that even though it boasts its upsides, there are also downsides.
Size, for starters, can make a regular oven a bit unpleasant, particularly if cooking small amounts of food is the objective. Another downside is the fact that foods in distinct parts of the oven tend to cook slower or faster and may take longer than others to cook. In addition to that, most ovens are notorious for heating up the kitchen, which can be a problem during warmer climate conditions.
Toasters, on the other hand, are better suited for day to day cooking needs for various reasons. For starters, they save space. A toaster only consumes a fraction of the space, but a regular, full-sized oven would utilize much more. Better yet, a toaster oven can do most tasks done by an oven with greater effectiveness.
That said, a toaster’s small size does not come without a disadvantage. Thanks to its small compartment, this oven is not recommended for big families. In fact, you can’t even fit a turkey into a toaster oven. So, if you plan on cooking for a considerate number of people on a continuous basis, I urge you to get a regular oven.
Regarding the costs, toaster ovens cost way less compared to conventional ovens. Better yet, they are portable, which means if your kitchen is crowded, you can simply move it to a different room and prepare your delicacy somewhere else.
Toaster ovens provide a wide variety of heating alternatives, from low temps (around 200 degrees) to extremely high temps (up to 450 degrees) for searing and broiling. Most modern models also offer the benefit of an interior fan for convection cooking. This function moves the air around inside the compartment to ensure the meal is cooked evenly and at the same time.
Conclusion
It is only by chance that I had the opportunity to own both appliances. So, to me, the winner of the Toaster vs Oven debate is the toaster oven. It’s more practical and saves space in the kitchen. Furthermore, just like technology, cooking apparatus have been greatly improved and smaller, more efficient units are more preferred than older, cumbersome gadgets. From energy efficiency to better quality, the toaster has lots to offer to an up-to-date, DIY chef.