Toaster Ovens
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Toaster ovens, as the name suggests, are an incredibly useful kitchen or breakroom appliance that can do a lot of the same functions that traditional toasters and ovens can do, such as toast, broil, bake and more. Because of this, they have endless utility that can make cooking at your home or office easier. Let’s dive into some of the features and benefits of toaster ovens.
What Can Be Cooked In a Toaster Oven?
Toaster ovens are a great way to quickly cook a variety of different foods. Like traditional pop-up toasters, toaster ovens can be used to reheat or toast foods like bagels, bread and pastries. However, due to their design and larger cooking area, toaster ovens can cook foods beyond the confines of a pop-up toaster, such as chicken, fish, vegetables, pizza and more.
There are lots of creative ways to use your toaster oven, but be sure to follow these best practices when determining what to put in your toaster oven:
- Never use glass or plastic dishware in your toaster oven
- Do not line your toaster oven tray with parchment paper, use foil instead (be sure to only line the rack and not the bottom of the oven with foil!)
- Be wary of cooking frozen meals in the toaster oven, as the appliance isn’t designed to do so
- Never put liquids in the toaster oven as it could seriously damage the heating element of the appliance and cause a fire
What Brands of Toaster Ovens Are Available?
At Staples, you can find a variety of high-quality toaster ovens from all of the best manufacturers. Choose from Black & Decker toaster ovens, Brentwood toaster ovens, Oster toaster ovens and more.
Can a Toaster Oven Replace a Microwave?
Just like microwaves, toaster ovens are helpful kitchen appliances designed to heat foods quickly and easily. There are many instances in which either a microwave or toaster oven can be used to prepare the same foods, such as pizza, casseroles and baked potatoes. But, there are certain functions of a microwave that cannot be replicated by a toaster oven. For example, toaster ovens can’t be used to prepare things like soup or stew, and cannot prepare certain foods like popcorn.
How To Clean A Toaster Oven
It’s important to keep your toaster oven clean in between uses to ensure a safe and residue free cooking environment. Toaster ovens can be tricky to clean because crumbs can get trapped in the crevices and the cooking tray can accumulate food residue. Be sure to follow these tips to ensure a clean toaster oven:
- Always unplug your toaster oven before cleaning
- Remove the cooking tray while cleaning the interior
- Clear out all of the loose crumbs from the interior of the toaster oven by wiping away with a damp cloth or sponge
- For a deep clean, create a baking soda solution by mixing two parts baking soda to one part water. Coat the interior of the toaster oven with this solution and leave it overnight before wiping away
- If necessary, use a toothbrush or sponge to tackle stubborn residue
- Be sure that your toaster oven is completely dry before plugging it back in