Toaster Vs Toaster Oven - What's the difference?

Some of us love to toast things. Whether it’s a bagel, waffle, muffin, or just a slice of regular bread, it’s best when toasted.

However, there is a fairly new device that has caused a lot of people to talk. They claim that it works even better than the old toaster. This appliance is called a toaster oven, which to be honest, just sounds like some type of toaster.

So what is the difference between a toaster oven and a toaster oven? Despite looking like the same device, they are different machines with different functions. A toaster can only toast a few items, such as bread and waffles, while a toaster oven can toast many items and perform the functions of a regular oven on a smaller scale.

In this article, we’ll look at many aspects of toasters and toaster ovens and see how they differ in terms of features, uses, power consumption, etc. We will also touch on topics such as safety and how they can be used to replace other appliances in the kitchen.

This article will answer all of your questions regarding these appliances and hopefully clarify which one will work best in your home.

Is a toaster oven a toaster?

To make it easier for everyone to understand, a toaster oven and a toaster oven, even though they look the same, are not the same thing at all.

They have similar functions or purposes, although they are designed differently, they function differently, and a toaster oven can perform many additional functions that a toaster cannot.

toaster vs. Toaster

Before we compare the toaster and toaster oven side by side, let’s first take a look at what they are.

toasters

Toasters come in two shapes, 2- or 4-slice. Although these are the only two forms that exist, there are a surprising number of functions and designs that these toasters can have.

They are made of different materials, such as plastic, metal, stainless steel, and glass, and today they come in many different colors, in addition to the traditional white, black, and silver. Their designs vary to fit any kitchen style, from retro to sleek modern.

The price can vary drastically, although we believe that the price tag is not necessarily an indicator of quality. The price you pay for a toaster probably has more to do with its design. We have had many $150+ toasters that have lasted less than a few months.

Toasters have come a long way from their original basic function of toasting and most now have a setting to control toasting time.

The lower the number (almost always a “1”), the faster it toasts, resulting in a light toast. Typically, the higher the number, the longer it will roast, resulting in a darker product.

However, toasters cannot do anything more than simple toast or similar bread-based products. It cannot have other ingredients, not even items with butter inside, and it cannot cook or prepare items.

toaster ovens

Toaster ovens also come in two guises: countertop or mounted toaster ovens (as do many microwaves). Countertop toaster ovens are freestanding and can be placed (and moved) on top of countertops.

Mounted toaster ovens are often mounted in cabinets or under counters and therefore cannot be moved once installed.

Like toasters, they are also available in a wide range of designs and colors, but the main feature that makes them so attractive to people is the fact that they have many oven functions (broil, defrost, etc.), timers. , temperature controls, speed control and start and stop buttons.

Toaster ovens can also toast anything a toaster can: muffins, toast with spreads, sandwiches, as well as any other bread (such as filled wrappers, buns, or rolls) that a toaster cannot.

By design, they can fulfill many other functions. They can cook pizzas, grill meats and vegetables, and also perform many baking functions. Plus, they heat up faster than a typical oven.

This means that a toaster oven is exactly what it sounds like: a cross between a toaster oven and an oven.

What is the difference?

Now that we’ve seen what each is, it’s much easier to distinguish between the two.

A toaster is much smaller in size and can only toast things, compared to a toaster oven, which is sometimes big and bulky, but can perform all of the functions of a toaster, as well as many that an oven can.

Most toaster ovens have precise temperatures that you can set the oven to, or at the very least, different temperature settings like broil, reheat, defrost, bake, toast, etc. Toasters, on the other hand, have numbers that do not indicate a length of time or a specific temperature.

This is another big difference: A toaster oven can be precisely programmed, like a microwave, and turns off when the timer runs out.

Both come in a wide variety of designs and the only factor to consider would be their use in your home. Toaster ovens can sometimes take up a lot of space, depending on the model and wattage, even when mounted, so you need to consider what you want to use it for.

Another big deciding factor for a lot of people between the two is the time it takes to make the toast.

Toasters heat up instantly and can give you burnt toast in just a few minutes. Some toaster ovens require the oven to first reach the correct temperature before starting the toasting process.

We’ve summarized many of these differences into a couple of handy pros and cons tables:

Toaster vs Toaster Oven – Pros and Cons:

Related questions

We hope we have clarified the main differences between toasters and toaster ovens. We’d also like to invite you to check out these related questions you may have about toasters and toaster ovens.

Does a toaster oven use more electricity than a toaster?

Of course, there are many different toasters and toaster ovens on the market, some of which may use less electricity than others.

Toasters usually have a power of between 800 and 1500 watts, so the average is about 1200 watts.

If a person uses the 1200-watt toaster for 12 minutes a day, that means they are using 2.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a day. If you multiply 2.4 kWh by the price you pay for 1 kWh, you’ll get the amount you pay for 12 minutes.

Most toaster ovens use 1200 watts. This means that if you use a toaster or toaster oven for the same amount of time, you will pay the same (if their wattage is the same).

However, answering which one consumes more electricity and will ultimately cost you more money is a very difficult thing to do, as there are many factors to consider besides wattage.

For one, you have to compare the specific gadgets you want to buy against each other. There is a range of watts for each type. So if you compare a 1700 watt toaster oven to an 800 watt toaster oven, the toaster oven will use more electricity per minute and therefore cost you more.

Toaster ovens typically take a little longer to toast a slice of bread and will therefore use more electricity to complete that function. However, toaster ovens have many other features that can take the place of using your regular oven.

Normal ovens consume a lot of electricity, with an average of 2400 watts. They will automatically cost almost double what a toaster oven would cost. Your toaster oven will be able to perform similar functions to your oven, as long as the item you are roasting or baking can fit in it.

In the end, you have to see how you intend to use each device. If you only plan to use a toaster oven for toasting, it is better to go with a regular toaster, since it will be faster and will cost less money.

Can I use a toaster oven instead of a regular oven?

You can use your toaster oven instead of your regular oven. In fact, some might even say that they are better than ovens in many cases.

As we have already said, toaster ovens consume much less electricity than regular ovens if you compare it minute by minute.

Another factor to keep in mind is that regular ovens take a lot longer to reach the right temperature, which will end up consuming a lot more electricity and costing you more money.

If we look purely at the functionality and not at the costs related to the use of each, toasters and ovens are very similar.

Both can set exact temperatures and both have similar oven settings, such as grill or fan. Toaster ovens have been found to circulate air much better than regular ovens, making the oven temperature more even.

An added feature that most toaster ovens have is that they automatically shut off when the timer runs out, unlike ovens. You can find ovens with this automatic shutdown feature, but they are very rare and often expensive.

If you plan to cook large dinners and cook for more than two people, we don’t necessarily recommend ditching your regular oven. Toaster ovens are much smaller and more compact. They’re great when you don’t need to make tons of food.

But it’s going to be a long night if you’re trying to cook a Thanksgiving dinner in your compact little toaster oven.

You have to analyze your lifestyle and whether the toaster oven will suffice before you decide to replace your regular oven.

What can you cook in a toaster oven?

As we’ve already seen, toaster ovens are amazing. They can perform many of the functions of a combination toaster, oven and microwave.

They can toast breads, buns, muffins, flatbreads, and even create dough bases for many other products. Surprise! They will also be able to bake all these products.

For those with a sweet tooth, it bakes delicious summer fruit tarts, chocolate cookies, birthday cakes and many kinds of crunchy and flaky pastries. What’s better than a freshly made cupcake, straight out of the toaster oven?

They make delicious rotisserie chicken because they circulate air so much better and have much more even temperatures, which is exactly what you need to make juicy, crispy rotisserie chicken.

Other ideas for meat lovers are roasting hams, legs of lamb, a nice fresh fish, ribs or anything you would do in a normal oven, if the size allows it of course.

You can also grill any type of vegetable to perfection or make a creamy mixed vegetable pie.

The only thing that stands in your way is the size of the item, other than that your imagination is the only restriction.

Is a toaster safer than a bread oven?

If we were to be picky and technical, toaster ovens are more risky, but honestly, they’re both just as safe or dangerous to use.

However, in case you need to know all the safety details for someone in your household, here are some potential hazards associated with toaster ovens:

• Burns - It’s easier to burn yourself, as toaster ovens tend to get very hot, and if you’re not careful, you can burn yourself on the metal rack or on the side or top of the oven.
• Fire - Fire is a real concern when it comes to any appliance that uses electricity and produces a lot of heat. Food scraps or chemicals can start a fire that can cause a lot of damage to you and the surrounding area.
• Explosion - No, we are not referring to the appliance itself exploding, but that the glass door could, in theory, do so. Sometimes the glass can be very brittle and if it cannot withstand the temperature of the oven it could explode. However, this is highly unlikely and would probably only happen if you left it on the highest possible heat for 24 hours.
• Electrical shock - Any electrical device has the risk of creating electrical problems and even causing a shock, large or small.

However, if you look at a toaster, it has all the same risks. In the office we have had a toaster that got so hot it couldn’t be moved after toasting bread twice in a row. Burns may not be as severe as with a toaster, but they are still possible.

The same goes for fires and electrical related problems; they are also a very real possibility with toasters.

A glass explosion is even less likely if you don’t have a glass toaster. However, food can get stuck in a toaster, which can lead to poor judgment and possible shock. Make sure you never stick your fingers or any metal objects into a toaster, especially while it’s on.

The best way to prevent any danger is to read the manuals. Yes, we are nerds when it comes to security! Always be careful when working with heat and electricity and never use shortcuts.