A toaster oven is a smaller version of your kitchen’s full-sized oven, but it has several advantages over what you might think is its rival: the microwave.
The truth is that a toaster oven can be used for most of the same tasks as a microwave and, in many cases, can do them better or more safely.
It also has several other uses that make it an essential addition to any kitchen. Here are some ways you can put this versatile appliance to work.
What is a Toaster Oven?
A toaster oven is a small household appliance that uses heat from an electric element to cook, bake and heat food. It’s typically much smaller than a conventional oven and doesn’t have an internal light source.
Toasters are great for making toast, but they can also be used for more than just bread. Toaster ovens are ideal for reheating pizza slices or warming up leftovers from the microwave because they don’t get as hot as the full-sized version and take up less space on your countertop. You’ll find that many people use their toaster ovens for everything from warming sandwiches to making cookies!
What Can You Cook in the Toaster Oven?
Toaster ovens can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, from reheating leftovers to baking cookies. They are also great for roasting nuts, broiling steaks, and making pizzas, quesadillas, or anything else you would use a regular oven for.
A toaster oven is even useful if you don’t have much room in your kitchen—it will take up less space than a microwave and may still do everything that you need to be done without sacrificing any functionality!
Can You Bake Things in the Toaster Oven?
But before you start baking, it’s important to know what will and won’t work in the toaster oven. It’s not designed for big casseroles or multiple racks of cookies like your traditional oven. However, if your recipe is small enough, you can bake things like muffins and cookies with great results.
The best part about using a toaster oven for baking is its speed; it will take less time than other types of electric ovens. This means that you’ll save energy by cooking more efficiently (and faster). You may also find yourself wanting to use it more often because of how effortless it is!
When considering which pans work best in your new kitchen appliance, keep these tips in mind:
- Use metal baking sheets without nonstick coatings—they distribute heat evenly throughout the pan and give food that “baked” look without adding oil or fat
- Avoid using glass dishes unless they’re labeled as microwave-safe; some glass containers can break during heating cycles
Can I Broil Meat in a Toaster Oven?
Yes, you can broil meat in your toaster oven. To do this, place a broiling pan or baking sheet on the rack below where you will cook the meat. Preheat the toaster oven for about 10 minutes before placing food inside it.
Once the toaster oven has been preheated for about 10 minutes, place the meat on top of the broiling pan or baking sheet and cook for about 5 minutes per side (this will vary based on how thick your cut of meat is).
Is Cooking in a Toaster Oven More Energy-Efficient Than Using an Electric Stove?
Yes, you can use a toaster oven more efficiently than an electric stove.
If you’re in the market for a new appliance, one of the most important considerations is how much energy it uses. Fortunately, there are some clear benefits to cooking in a toaster oven over an electric range. The biggest advantage? It’ll use less energy overall. More specifically:
Toaster Ovens vs. Electric Stoves:
Toaster ovens are more efficient when compared to traditional electric stoves because they don’t need as much power to heat up or cool down as stovetops do, which means they require less electricity all around—even when their fans and lights are turned on!
This results in lower carbon emissions from your home’s power plant and fewer pollutants emitted into the atmosphere overall (which means cleaner air for everyone!).
When to Use a Toaster Oven Instead of a Microwave
Whether you’re looking to replace your current microwave with something more versatile or just add an additional appliance to your home without cluttering up your countertops too much, here are five reasons why you should consider purchasing a toaster oven
Reheating pizza
If you love pizza but don’t want it to be floppy when you reheat it in the microwave, a toaster oven can help.
It’s always best to use the highest heat setting in your small appliance when reheating pizza. This will ensure that the crust gets crisp and crunchy again while leaving the cheese cool enough so that it doesn’t turn into an instant grease bomb.
Roasting vegetables
If you’re looking for some roasted vegetables to go with dinner, you’ll want to choose the right cut. The best vegetable for roasting is one that will hold its shape and retain moisture as it cooks. That doesn’t mean you can’t roast other types of vegetables—it just means that they might not taste quite as good.
Making toast
Toaster ovens are ideal for making toast, especially in small apartments or kitchens where you don’t have much counter space. They can also double as a toaster and a microwave, which means you won’t have to sacrifice your precious cabinet space for two appliances.
Also, if you’re trying to save some cash on your electricity bill and get rid of that bulky old microwave, it might be time to invest in one!
Cooking bacon and sausages
If you’re a fan of bacon and sausages, you’ll have to find a new way to cook them. That’s because the microwave is not suitable for cooking these foods.
If you try it, your bacon will turn soggy and limp, while the sausage will be raw in the middle. In fact, microwaves don’t heat anything evenly—they can’t even heat milk or water evenly!
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