Toaster ovens are versatile kitchen appliance that can do so much more than just toasting. They're able to perform various cooking tasks from roasting a golden-brown chicken to reheating a casserole dish. They're highly adorable because of their ability to make quick meals.
However, they tend to get hot and can be a safety hazard, especially if you have elderly people or kids around your home.
However, not every toaster oven is like that. Some come with cool to touch surface and other safety features that make them safe to use. If you're looking for the safest toaster oven for your home, this list is all you need.
What Makes A Toaster Oven Safe to use?
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There're certain things that make a toaster oven safe to use in your kitchen. We highly recommend to consider those things before making any purchase. Below, we've outlined a few safety features of a toaster oven.
1. Cool to the touch exterior surface:
This feature is very essential if you’re looking for a safe to use toaster oven. It ensures that your toaster oven’s surface doesn’t get overheated even if you use it for a long time. This will prevent you from getting burns if you accidentally come in contact with the hot surface of the oven while it’s operating.
2. Auto shut off feature:
If you leave food in your toaster oven for a long time, it can catch on fire. Toaster oven can pose a serious fire risk. To mitigate the danger, you must get one with an auto shut-off feature. When time runs off, your toaster oven will automatically turn off and prevent your food from catching fire.
3. Well-built cord attachment:
Toaster ovens also come with cords, and as such, you must ensure that the cord is secure and well-built to prevent untoward incidents like electric shocks. Make sure they don’t easily bend or get pulled off from the power cord.
4. Door mechanism:
The oven door traps the heat inside and prevents it from getting out. Toaster ovens might come with door handles or push-button openers. Regardless of the type, the important thing is to ensure that it closes properly. If the heat gets out, it’ll not just ruin your food but can be a safety risk as well.
5. On/Off switch:
It might seem like a basic feature, but an on/off switch is also essential. If you leave your oven on for a long time, it could get really hot and unsafe. Ensure that it's fitted with a proper on/off switch so that you can properly turn it off after usage.
6. Timer Beeping System:
Every oven comes with a timer. However, even when the timer goes off, some ovens don’t make a sound and continue baking. In such a case, you wouldn't know when your meal is done, and your food could catch fire. You must ensure that the oven has a beeping system so that you’ll know when the food is ready.
7. Low noise production:
If you purchase a toaster oven with convection facilities, it'll come with a fan. Additionally, some oven's come with cooling fans even if they don't have convection facilities. For some ovens, these fans can make a lot of noise which can be unpleasant. Pick one that operates quietly.
Top 5 Safest Toaster Ovens Reviews
1. Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven: Best Choice
Best Features:
Why It's Great: The Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe is a no-frills, safe and efficient toaster oven. It's very well built and sturdy and is compact enough to fit most kitchen countertops.
The electronic dials and touchpad controls are very easy to use. Besides, it has multiple cooking functions, and it even supports convection bake and broil, which is rare with toaster ovens in this range.
The timer can be set up to 120 minutes, which is very convenient to cook longer cooking recipes. On top of that, the timer automatically shuts off with a beeping sound and it's loud enough to let you know when the food is ready.
The interior measures 0.6 cubic feet, and we were able to easily fit in a 12-inch pizza. This oven heats up really fast, but the exterior doesn't get hot and is safe to touch. However, the glass door does heat up a little bit, but the door handle is at a safe distance, so it isn't a problem.
When it comes to performance, it does an excellent job of reheating leftovers, baking brownies, and roasting chicken. It also preheats very fast even on high setting. The size and efficiency of this toaster oven make it a perfect replacement of your full-size oven.
The Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe features a non-stick interior, and it's easy to clean. Additionally, it's also PTFE/PFOA free.
Keep in mind: On the downside, the printing on the buttons comes off very quickly. Another limitations of this unit is that, there is no light inside the oven.
2. Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven
Best Features:
Why It's Great: This toaster oven is our 2nd best pick for its sleek design, spacious interior and safety features. It's also very versatile and well built.
The Calphalon Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven lives up to it's name. The exterior remains enough cool during the cooking session. It has a built-in exhaust fan that expels out the hot air to keep the outer surface safe to touch. If you've pets and kids in your home then, this oven will be the safest to use.
It also comes with a sturdy glass door that makes it easy to monitor the food inside. The door handle is also very well-built. The dial controls are user-friendly, and the LCD display is bright and easy to read.
This oven has a decent interior space that easily fits a 12-inch pizza or a quarter sheet pan or a pan under 13 inches. When it comes to performance, it preheats very quickly. We also found this countertop oven is amazing for toasting bread, bagels, and roasting veggies.
On top of that, you can easily adjust the cooking time for different recipes. Besides, the step cook function allow you to set two different modes at once. This feature sets it apart from the competition.
Keep in mind: However, at 21.6 x 20.3 x 15.8 inches, this toaster oven is big, and you need to make sure that you have the space for it. However, the oven cavity is small compared to its outer dimension. Therefore, it won't fit large pans and foods.
Best For: It's one of the most reliable toaster ovens with some really essential cooking programs. If you're looking for a nice addition of your regular oven, this is a great pick.
3. MaxiMatic ETO-113 Elite Cuisine: Safest Toaster Oven For Elderly People
Best Features:
Why It's Great: The MaxiMatic ETO-113 Elite Cuisine is a simple, easy to use, and the safest toaster ovens for senior. It has a low profile design; measuring just 9 x 8 x 14.5 inches, you can place it anywhere in your kitchen.
This is a 650-watts powered 2-slice toaster oven with a few basic functionalities. Therefore, you should not expect all the bells & whistles from this little oven.
However, It has enough space to prepare small meals for two person; we were able to fit in 4 breads stacked on top of each other. The lightweight and portable design also makes it a great pick for campers and RV's.
The dial controls are well built and easy to use. There's also a timer bell, and it's loud enough to let you know when the food is done. Despite the affordable price tag, it comes with a sturdy glass door that makes it easy to monitor the food inside.
Best For: This inexpensive toaster oven comes with fewer functions than other toaster oven in the list. Therefore, you'll not be confused by different settings and programs. A must have toaster oven for elderly people and beginners.
Keep in mind: This toaster oven gets hot; however, the tempered glass door and handle remain cool even during heavy usage. Secondly, there's no temperature dial control in this oven. Therefore, it's not the best option for preparing food that requires a specific cooking temperature.
4. Panasonic NB-G110P-K FlashXpress Toaster Oven
Best Features:
Why It's Great: The Panasonic NB-G110P-K is one of the most reliable toaster oven that delivers most consistent result within a short amount of time. It offers emerging infrared heating technology that ensures even heating and faster cooking of your foods.
This versatile unit also has an easy to use control panel with 6 presets. These allow you to quickly make meals without adjusting the temperature and the time. We also liked that, it features a power off/on switch which most competitors don't have.
Despite the compact design, the oven interior is spacious enough to fit 4 slices of bread and a 9-inch pizza. It does a brilliant job of toasting bread slices and reheating casseroles.
The highlight of this product is its safety features: The baking rack is connected to the oven door, and it automatically pulls out when you open the door preventing your fingers from getting burned. There's also an auto shut-off feature, and the smart sensor does an excellent job of monitoring the temperature and ensuring that the food doesn’t get burned.
Keep in mind: This toaster oven allows you to bake only for 25 minutes and you can't exceed that time. Apart from this, few users have found that it's hard to clean the food crumbs from the door and the ledge.
Best For: The Panasonic NB-G110P-K doesn't look that classy, but it performs better than many fancy or expensive units. If you're looking for the safest and most reliable toaster oven that offers best performance under a reasonable price, we highly recommend this unit.
5. BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S Toaster Oven
Best Features:
Why It's Great: Rounding up our list is the BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S Toaster Oven. We love the sophisticated look of this toaster oven, and measuring 22.8 x 13.4 x 15.5 inches, it won’t take up too much space on your kitchen counter.
It's a portable unit and is an excellent choice if you want a safe toaster oven for your small apartment or RV. The push button controls are easy to use, and the LCD is bright and clear. This toaster oven supports 8 presets including bake, broil, toast, bagels etc.
This budget toaster oven even capable of convection baking that significantly reduces the cooking time and ensure maximum crispiness of your food. On top of that, the fan doesn't make that much noise.
The BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S comes with an extra deep interior, and we were able to fit in a 12-inch pizza easily. A 9x13 aluminum pan with no handles also gets fit nicely on it. It also supports dual rack positions allowing you to make large batches of food.
Keep in mind: The oven doesn't get very hot, and the door handle is at a safe distance, making it safe to use. However, the words above the touch button controls start to fade and wear off.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Safe Toaster Oven:
Toaster ovens come with numerous features, and it can be confusing to figure out which ones are more important. Here is our ultimate guide so that you know exactly what features to look for when you purchase your toaster oven:
Cooking Space:
The first thing you need to consider is the available cooking space of the toaster oven, which depends vastly on your requirements. Most people use toaster ovens for preparing small meals or reheating leftovers. For that, a 0.6 cubic-foot capacity would be just fine.
However, if you want to use your toaster oven for heavy-duty tasks such as roasting chicken or you want to feed the crowed, you'll need to get a toaster oven with bigger oven cavity (at least 0.9 cubic-foot capacity). A large capacity toaster oven will allow you to use most standard or even larger baking pans without any problem.
Rack Position:
If you want to make large batches of food for your family, a toaster oven with multiple rack position is essential. Some toaster oven's come with dual rack supports, while others have up to 3-4 rack positions. A toaster oven with multiple rack position lets you cook various recipes simultaneously.
Features and Functions:
List down the things that you'll be using your toaster oven for. For instance, most toaster ovens aren't capable of convection cooking and if that's a feature you need, ensure that yours come with one.
Additionally, a non-stick interior is also highly recommended as it allows you to quickly and easily clean your oven. Beyond that, make sure that the toaster oven has an intuitive interface that allow you easily select any functions or presets.
Ease Of Use:
You also need to make sure that the oven is easy to use. For this, focus on the controls. Some toaster ovens come with touchpads and some with dial controls; choose one that's the most convenient for you.
Additionally, oven doors can also be opened with a conventional handle or push buttons. Personally, we find door handles more convenient, but it's up to you.
Temperature Ranges:
From making toasts to broiling chicken, temperature ranges and adjustments offer incredible flexibility while cooking. However, you might have to pay a little extra for this feature. Some high-end toaster ovens also allow you to adjust the browning level.
FAQ's:
Q1: Are there any toaster ovens that never get hot on the outside?
The short answer is "NO". Most of the toaster ovens do get very hot on the outside because of their poor insulation system. However, the good news is that, there're some models available that get little bit hot on the outside. Usually, they preheat very fast and take less time to cook. Consequently, they don't heat up the surroundings. Additionally, they come with cool to touch exterior for your safety.
Q2: Is it safe to use a toaster oven under a cabinet?
In most cases, you should place your toaster oven on a cabinet as it requires proper insulation. If you want to put it under a cabinet, you need to purchase one that comes with brackets that allows you to properly mount the oven under the cabinet.
Q3: Is it safe to leave toaster ovens plugged in?
No, you should never leave your toaster ovens plugged in as it could lead to fires and electrical shocks. Always unplug your toaster oven safely after use.
Q4: Is a toaster oven healthier than a microwave?
No, toaster ovens aren't a healthier alternative to microwaves. Microwaves cook faster and, as a result, lose fewer nutrients, but toaster ovens do a better job at reheating previously fried food.
Q5: Does a toaster use electricity when turned off?
Yes, a toaster oven could potentially use electricity even if it’s turned off. If you want to prevent this, turn off your toaster oven and plug it off.
Q6: How often should you replace your toaster?
It depends on your toaster and its condition. If it doesn't work as it used to or has defects, then you should replace it. In general, a good toaster should last about 6 years.
Final Words:
This wraps up our list of the safest toaster ovens. They are all durable, perform well, don't heat up too much, and have excellent safety features.
It all comes down to your requirements. However, if we had to pick a top choice, it would be the Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe, thanks to its great design, performance, and safety features.
If you're under a budget, we highly recommend you to go for the MaxiMatic ETO-113 Elite Cuisine; it performs much better and is safer than most products, almost twice its price range.
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