If you need more reason why you need to replace microwave with toaster oven, you come to the right place. I have never been afraid of the kitchen; I always bring homemade treats to friends and make my grandmother’s meatballs during the holidays. However, making a multi-part meal in my bachelor-style kitchen felt clunky when I was cooking for one.
Turning on the oven would make half my apartment feel like one, and the clutter from my usual kitchen appliances like a microwave, coffee maker, and toaster made the space feel uninviting. It was most often either grazing, or ordering out or boiling pasta for my meals.
After removing a floppy piece of pizza from the microwave, I was inspired: I would replace both my ancient microwave and my pop toaster with a toaster oven. Two of my only requirements were that it fit in the 23-inch space between my refrigerator and stove and that it wasn’t too expensive.
Costco was selling the perfect Cuisinart for me soon after I found it. Even though it was a fairly basic model compared to the ones on the market today, some of which have air fryer settings or pizza oven compartments, it toasted, baked, and broiled, so that changed my eating habits for good. The following are five things I learned once I started using my toaster oven.
Reasons To Replace Microwave With Toaster Oven
Toaster Oven Heats Food More Evenly
Toaster ovens were my main objective when I bought mine. Whether or not standing too close to a microwave is dangerous, microwaved food always makes me sad, as if the food isn’t able to reach its full potential due to the way microwaves heat up. (They use electromagnetic waves, in fact, in order to heat the water in the food.) If you’ve ever microwaved something and noticed that some parts are scalding while others are still cold, that indicates that the water content of the food isn’t evenly distributed. It’s also why microwaving leaves food sometimes dry (because the water molecules are too excited and leave the food), or, if you cover it, soggy (because you’re basically steaming your food).
As for toaster ovens, they heat food the same way that ovens do: By warming the enclosed space around the food, it is heated from the outside in, regardless of the food’s composition. It takes longer than a microwave, but the reward is an even heat, good texture, and food that tastes good.
Toaster Oven is More Energy-efficient Than My Oven.
Because toaster ovens are smaller, they reach the desired temperature faster and use less energy. Energy Star noted in a 2011 report that a toaster oven uses between a third and a half less energy than a conventional oven. The low energy use also explains why using a toaster oven won’t heat up the kitchen in the same way a conventional oven does, resulting in a more comfortable cooking experience to prepare the same food. If you compare roasted vegetables and crispy chickpeas from the toaster oven to the full oven, you won’t see (or taste!) a difference, but you might notice a difference in your energy bill.
Toaster Oven More Versatile Than Pop Toaster.
After owning both as an adult, I cannot understand why anyone would choose a pop toaster over a toaster oven. Pop toasters are difficult to maintain, to begin with. Moving or storing them leaves crumbs, and cleaning inside the slots is an intricate, moderately dangerous process. Certainly, you can get a pop toaster for $10, but that’s $10 for an appliance that only accommodates foods of a certain shape (flat) and consistency (dry). I can think of two foods: sliced bread and bagels.
Meanwhile, for $20, you can get a toaster oven that toasts everything a pop toaster can (again, sliced bread and bagels), as well as a variety of foods that would break your pop toaster: leftover pizza, hunks of bread, cheese sandwiches (with all add-ons, such as tomato and ham), any variety of breakfast pastries, from plain croissant to fruit-filled Danish, and so on. You can toast as much as you want in a toaster oven.
It’s encouraging To Practice Better Eating Habits
My eating habits changed once I bought a toaster oven. Suddenly, I could make anything I wanted in this tiny gadget, and it was always exactly portioned for one person. Dinners changed from a series of snacks to fish, and lunches went from dismal desk salads to roasted vegetables over quinoa. With correct heating, leftovers felt more fulfilling, and even my snacks tasted better (fresh toaster oven-baked cookies!). There was no longer any reason to half-ass any dinner because using a toaster oven was so simple: just put a few things on a little pan, pop it in the toaster, push a few buttons, and walk away for 20 minutes. To be honest, I felt like I was eating like a genuine grownup for the first time.
Without Requiring Better Cleaning Habits.
The ability to declutter that a toaster oven provided was one of the most rewarding aspects of owning one. Opening up a microwave-sized space in my kitchen provided me with a small but perfectly appropriate prep area, making it easier to keep mistakes contained within the kitchen. In addition, compared to unwieldy full-size oven cookware, toaster oven cookware is often simply a little roasting pan or baking dish, making it a delight for your dishwasher or drying rack.
It can be difficult to rationalize putting much effort into solitary meals if you live alone, as I do. My toaster oven taught me that eating delicious cuisine every day doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. It might be as basic as one appliance, neatly put up in the corner. We have a list of best buy toaster oven in case you need more recommendation.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
