toaster

Countertop oven does dishes, too

Compact countertop ovens generally do a great job of cooking a variety of items. Their ability to reheat leftover pizza is reason enough to warrant their purchase. However, they don't stop at toasting bread or crisping up a slice; nowadays their utility extends to all manner of baking. From cookies to main entrees, the remarkable countertop appliances can cook practically whatever one desires; they really are little secondary ovens. And sometimes, they are also good at just keeping things warm.

With an operating temperature range from 50 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the Dualit Compact Convection Oven is versatile … Read more

Toast isn't enough

Gone are the days when toasters were necessary appliances; now one little box is capable of so much more. But that hasn't stopped old-timey toasters from populating store shelves. And truth be told, modern toasters have evolved into efficient little machines that feature nice designs and simple operation. However, sometimes that is not enough. What was once a ubiquitous kitchen appliance has evolved into something so much more.

The KitchenAid Convection Countertop Oven ($160) replaces the toaster (or even the toaster oven) while remaining compact in size. Measuring 13 inches across, 12.25 inches deep, and 7.5 inches … Read more

No more cold toast

Toasted breads, and associated goodies like toaster pastries, waffles ,and other treats, are deceptively simple breakfast foods. It doesn't take much to send morning schedules careening off track, and having a bite to eat is the cornerstone that gives us the energy to get through the day (or at least out the door). As the most important meal of the day, breakfast meant to be hot should never be served cold.

Hectic mornings often scatter attention, but with an 8-second toast drop, the DeLonghi DTT720 2-Slice Toaster can at least help keep hot breakfasts on schedule. The stylish brushed-metal … Read more

Toaster bags let you toast pizza, more

Ever wanted a grilled cheese sandwich but didn't have time to do anything but stick some bread in the toaster? That simple act can translate into a grilled cheese sandwich if you're willing to put cheese between your slices of bread and find a way to keep it from dripping into the toaster. The NoStick Toast It Toaster Bags can keep your cheese contained, along with other sandwich fixings. The bags are made from a heat-resistant material that can be reused up to 50 times and works well with any type of toaster.

The NoStick Toast It Toaster … Read more

Toaster oven size matters

The toaster oven has come a long way. From its early beginnings as a glorified toaster, through the current appliances that can take up the full countertop, the toaster oven has progressed from novel appliance to must-have accessory. However, at some point during its evolution, the toaster oven breached the event horizon and became a tool of diminishing returns; quite often they're just too big and bulky to be considered compact appliances.

The Breville BOV650XL Compact Smart Oven packs modern features into a small footprint. (It's a smaller version of the previous model, the Smart Oven.) Measuring a … Read more

Breakfast sandwiches made twice as nice

As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, the reason this outlook may be expressed in the first place is because "they" may have designs on your breakfast--especially when it comes in the form of breakfast sandwiches. After all, who can resist the allure of an egg sandwich? Topped with ham and cheese, the classic combination is suitable for one and all. Thankfully the breakfast staple is easy to make, and therefore not solely relegated to the fast-food drive-through window. But that doesn't mean it couldn't be made even easier to … Read more

Get the toaster off the counter

I don't have a lot of counter space in my kitchen. My toaster spends most of its time on a shelf. If it's not toasting, it's put away. I don't mind this arrangement, but I think toasters could be a little easier to store. The Black & Decker 4-Slice Toaster seems to have a similar thought behind its design. Not only is it an attractive toaster--stainless steel with black accents--but it's square enough that it won't take up a disproportionate section of the shelf, and its cord retracts so you don't even have … Read more

Toaster oven that thinks like a big oven

I feel sorry for toasters. They all seem to suffer from an identity crisis. We've seen toasters that can fry an egg, toasters that think they're panini presses, and here's a toaster that thinks it's an oven. Wait, what's that you say? Toaster ovens are nothing new? True, but they don't usually come with temperature probes.

The Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Toaster Oven with Convection Cooking (Model 31230) can toast six slices of bread at a time, but it can also do so much more. With an integrated temperature probe, the miniature oven … Read more

Toast it flat

Because the Bistro Flatbed Toaster, from Bodum, offers a hot, flat surface, it can do a lot more than your average toaster. You can use its heating surface to defrost, toast, and heat up your food. Pizza, tortillas, and hamburger buns all fit comfortably. Want to melt cheese on your bread as you toast it? The Bistro Flatbed Toaster can handle it, just as it can easily toast big rolls that won't fit in most toasters. The heating surface of the Bistro Flatbed Toaster is stainless steel.

The Bistro Flatbed Toaster is designed to fit in with any kitchen, … Read more

Toasting in the Digital Age

Toasters are probably the most riffed-upon kitchen appliance. (Coming in a close second would be the indoor grill.) The fact that they are comparatively easy to manufacture probably has something to do with it, but iteration after iteration of the device can also be attributed to their iconic status. Toasters may have come a long way since the early days, but the basic size and shape is still in production models today. Even when they go digital.

The Digital Toaster (two-slice) by T-Fal trades in the shiny chrome of its predecessors for a sleek black finish. The darker background allows … Read more