A toaster oven is a small countertop appliance that uses electric heating elements to cook and bake food. While a toaster oven may look similar to a conventional full-size oven, there are some key differences in how each appliance functions and the results they can produce.
Heating Elements
The most noticeable difference between a toaster oven and a regular oven is in the heating elements. A full-size oven uses both bottom and top heating elements to surround food with consistent, even heat. The bottom element in an oven emits heat upward while the top broiler element directs high heat downward onto the food.
In contrast, a toaster oven only has a single heating element at the bottom of the appliance. Some models may have a second top heating element, but it is much smaller than a standard oven broiler. This single heating element design means heat is really only directed upward into the toaster oven cavity from the bottom. Food tends to cook more from the bottom than from the top in a toaster oven.
Temperature Regulation
An added benefit of having dual heating elements is that regular ovens can maintain a consistent target temperature much better than toaster ovens. The average full-size household oven has a temperature variance of around 25 degrees Fahrenheit from the set point. So if you set it for 350°F, the actual temperature inside the oven may range from 335°F to 375°F as the heating elements cycle on and off.
In comparison, toaster ovens are notorious for temperature fluctuations up to 40-50°F or more from their set temperature. Opening the door frequently exacerbates this problem. The single heating element cannot compensate quickly enough to recover and maintain the intended temperature. This inconsistent temperature makes timing recipes tricky in a toaster oven.
Capacity and Pan Size
A standard full-size oven has an interior cavity large enough to fit a whole turkey or baking sheets full of cookies. The capacity of a toaster oven is much more limited. Common interior dimensions for toaster ovens range from around 11 inches wide by 13 inches deep to around 16 inches wide by 16 inches deep for premium/extra-large models.
This compact footprint means you can only cook small batches of food at a time in a toaster oven. Items need to fit on the included baking pan, rack, or directly on the bottom of the cavity. Regular sized pans, casserole dishes, and baking sheets will not slide into a toaster oven.
| Appliance | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Full-Size Oven | Large turkeys, multiples trays of cookies, casseroles, etc. |
| Toaster Oven | Personal pizzas, chicken breasts, small casseroles |
Convection Cooking
Many full-size ovens feature convection cooking capabilities where a fan circulates hot air around the cavity for faster, more even heating. Heat transfer to food is increased with forced convection. This allows for lower cooking temperatures and shortened cook times.
There are some convection toaster ovens available, but the small cavity and low power heating elements limit the effectiveness. Air cannot circulate as vigorously and may only provide marginally faster cooking than traditional toaster ovens.
Baking Quality
When baking sensitive items like cakes, cookies, and breads, toaster ovens often fail to achieve the same quality results as a full oven. Baking relies on the ability to maintain an exact cavity temperature and appropriate moisture level. The inconsistent heat and wide temperature swings of toaster ovens can cause uneven browning, poor rising, and dried out baked goods.
Pastry crusts and pizza crusts also suffer in toaster ovens. With heat applied primarily from below, the bottoms tend to overcook while the tops remain underdone. Getting that perfect golden brown pizza or pie crust can be difficult without the overhead heating of a regular oven.
Broiling and Grilling
While toaster ovens cannot match the searing heat of an oven’s broiler, some models do come with a top heating element intended for broiling. Smaller cuts of meat, fish, and poultry can be browned and crisped under this top heating element.
Just keep in mind that the broil setting may only raise the temperature to around 400°F-500°F compared to a full broiler’s 500-550°F. This means longer preheating and cooking times. Flipping food halfway through cooking helps compensate for the uneven heat.
There are also toaster ovens with smooth interiors that let users insert a ridged grill pan accessory. This allows for indoor grilling of meats and vegetables to get grill marks and char. But just like broiling, the lower heat compared to an outdoor grill makes for longer cook times.
Toasting Bread
While toaster ovens can be used to “toast” bread by placing slices directly on the racks, they do not brown and crisp bread as efficiently as pop-up toasters. Pop-up toasters are specially designed with narrow slots and heating elements surrounding the bread on all sides. This allows for quick, even toasting using much less energy than powering up a whole toaster oven.
Conclusion
Toaster ovens offer a compact countertop cooking option in small spaces like apartments, dorms, and offices where installing a built-in oven may not be possible. They can be used to reheat leftovers, cook frozen snacks and small meals, and do some basic baking and broiling.
However, toaster ovens cannot fully replace the functionality of a full-size kitchen oven due to differences in heating element design, temperature regulation, capacity, and air circulation. For best results when baking, broiling, roasting, or cooking large quantities, a conventional oven is still preferable over an inexpensive toaster oven.
That said, some high-end toaster ovens from brands like Breville and Cuisinart offer larger capacities and more sophisticated heating options that help mimic true oven performance. While not equivalent to a built-in oven, these higher-end toaster ovens can be a worthwhile investment for those with limited kitchen space.
When choosing between toaster oven models, look for one with multiple rack positions, temperature precision, an internal size that fits your cooking needs, and any bonus features like convection settings or air frying baskets. Be sure to compare the wattage as well since higher wattages typically translate to faster preheating and better temperature regulation.
With realistic expectations of its abilities and limitations, a quality toaster oven can be a very useful addition to your kitchen lineup.