DIY Network

Buying Toaster Ovens Good Housekeeping Institute expert shares the ins-and-outs of buying a toaster oven. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-141

Guest Carolyn Forte, the home care director at Good Housekeeping Institute, joins host Stephanie Lydecker and shares tips on purchasing a toaster oven.

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	When looking to buy a toaster oven, guest Carolyn Forte says to look for one with separate toaster controls, like the one seen here.
	A warming tray, seen here, is a great accessory for the all-in-one toaster oven.
	If you don't have a lot of counter space, it's best to go with a smaller unit.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Toaster Oven

• A toaster oven is excellent for reheating a slice of pizza or preparing open-faced sandwiches; however, you should have a regular toaster too for toasting breads. With bread, toaster ovens tend to slow down cooking and compromise the quality of the bread.

• Are there toaster ovens out there that do toast well if there isn't enough counter space for both? If you don't have the space or the budget for both and you're looking for a bread toaster— and you like to warm up pastries or melt cheese on sandwicheslook for models with the toast controls that can be operated aside from the baking settings.

• The bread toasting toaster ovens sense moisture in the bread and can determine the time it will take to toast. Other toaster ovens usually have mechanical timers that always toast for the same amount of time at a particular setting. On some models, to toast, you just have to press the toast lever and the oven will brown up to four slices of bread in just two or three minutes. Others take up to seven. You can even use these models to bake a cake, or a meatloaf, but it won't hold an entire chicken.

• Toaster ovens can also be used as small second ovens for baking and broiling items. Look for a large toaster oven with bread toasting capability. You'll need to have counter space for these big guys; however, the convection (cooking with air) feature produces a great golden brown chicken in just an hour and a whole chicken and a small cake in 20 minutes.

• The broiler on this actually broils as well as a broiler in a full-size oven. Look for ones with large clear windows for visibility while cooking. Make sure with broiling or baking, you have a timer on the oven so you don't have to remember to turn it off.

• You can toast without adjusting the oven dials to a toast setting (the oven dial does need to be in an off position), and these units hold six slices of bread. Some models have chrome housing and touch controls for all functions available on the toaster.

• There are also smaller versions that have most of the same capabilities as the larger ovens; you just can't fit nearly as much. They accommodate approximately four slices of bread. But, have a great range of shades for toasting and special settings for bagels and frozen bread. These models are great for mornings. That being said, it will take a minute or two longer than a standard toaster.

• These models have a convection oven and a conventional oven for baking. They even beep when pre-heated. A whole chicken won't fit in these, but three quarters of a chicken will. After four hours they turn themselves off, have a slide out crumb tray, a nonstick interior finish, built-in kitchen timer and a cord wrap. Look for these features.

Safety Tips:

• If you are concerned that your oven could possibly cause a fire you should really follow the safety guidelines and always remember to unplug the oven after every use. That way you don't have to be concerned about leaving it on or having it turned on by accident.

• Always keep the crumb tray clean and free of drippings. If any food bits catch fire, pull the plug and don't open the door until the flame goes out.

GUESTS :

Carolyn Forte
Home Care Director
Good Housekeeping Institute
E-mail: cforte@hearst.com
Website: www.goodhousekeeping.com