Can anyone recommend a good (compact) toaster oven?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

I've been buying/periodically replacing what's more recently been a small Black and Decker but formally GE toaster oven for 30+ years. Looks like this:

Small footprint on the counter which is great since I don't want to dedicate a lot of countertop space to one.

Over the years I'd replace it on average every 7 years (though increasing shorter stretches) and it's time again. Problem is, the more recent ones are getting really lousy reviews, like (paraphrasing here) "piece of crap," and "died in 6 months," and "used to be good but not anymore."

So maybe it's time to switch brands. Anyone have good experience with a small footprint toaster oven during the last few years? And are there any American-made models I could consider?

[onehandle]

1. Try a Delonghi convection oven.

I do about 85% of our home cooking in it. Works beautifully.

[csziggy]

2. If you find one, let me know

I had one very much like the one pictured, maybe narrower. I think it was a Black & Decker, but the name had become illegible. It still worked great, but after twenty years of use, the exterior was discolored and the interior was caked with burned on grease. So when we moved to the new house, it didn't move with us.

I wish I had kept it. The new, fancier toaster convection oven takes five times as long to get bread slightly crisp and does not toast at all. It's still too small to actually cook anything in it but it's useless as a toaster and only marginally functional for broiling. It's prettier sitting on the counter than the old one, but that is it's only plus.

I also have not found a basic toaster worth using. The one I have does not toast evenly so I have to toast one side, flip the bread over and toast the other side. Even so, if I set the toast level at more than the minimum it burns one side the first pass. The slots are too short for anything other than basic sandwich bread and too narrow for any bagel half sliced slightly unevenly.

[sigmasix]

3. I have the same toaster oven problem

I am having the same problem- they just dont make the pretzel right anymore after 6 - 8 months use. I have tried the black and decker, GE and another no-name; they all burned-uot in less than a year. I've never bought anything from bed bath and beyond, but I seem to remember a nice looking unit there. It was a little more than I would normally spend, but also seemed to be more solidly built. I'm waiting for our current unit to give up the ghost before I spend the 100-some odd dollars I'm sure it will cost.

[politicat]

4. Ours is an Oster with 3 dials.

Similar to the one in this link, but ours happens to be red and about 8 years old.

http://www.target.com/p/oster-stainless-steel-oster-toaster-oven/-/A-13423345

It's fine, no problems at all. The reason I keep buying Oster is that they do make replacement parts available, though I haven't needed them, and their non-digital appliances are usually mechanical rather than electronically controlled.

W use it pretty regularly because I absolutely refuse to turn on the big oven once daytime temps reach 80, and we have a gas oven (broiler on the bottom). I find that the electric toaster broiler makes much better polenta and sweet potato fries, and makes them faster. (Also better flatbread pizzas.)

[TrogL]

5. I'm really happy with my Black and Decker

[Gidney N Cloyd]

8. I liked the first couple ones I had, too. That's why I kept buying them.

The quality just seems to have taken a nosedive.

[UTUSN]

6. As a matter of fact, YES, I *do* have a recommendation!1

Toaster ovens ROCK!1 I don't need/use my regular oven.

Under-the-counter,

[tandot]

7. We bought a Cuisinart Total Touch at Costco several years ago and love it

Dimensions: 17.4"w x 16"L x 9.4"H

It was under $100

http://www.costco.com/Cuisinart%C2%AE-Convection-Toaster-Oven-Broiler.product.11680187.html?catalogId=10701&keyword=cuisinart+toaster+oven&langId=-1&storeId=10301

It is not made in the USA but it is hard to find models that are.

Our favorite meal is roasted bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks with skin. It has enough room for two breasts, 4 thighs, and at least 4 drumsticks...and it gets the skin crispy thanks to the convection part of it.

[pipi_k]

9. Don't know what

you consider "compact", but this is the one I've had for 4+ years...

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Countertop-Convection-Rotisserie/dp/B0059KY05M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1371911913&sr=8-5&keywords=hamilton+beach+toaster+oven

My regular oven doesn't work, so I use this nearly every day (there are only the two of us). It sits on top of my microwave oven so it doesn't take up additional counter space.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

10. Found a funny review of B+D a toaster oven on Amazon:

1.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for arsonists, pyromaniacs, and general fire enthusiasts, January 29, 2012
By Annietown "Putting words together to make stuff" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker TRO490W Toast-R-Oven Classic 4-Slice Countertop Oven, White (Kitchen)

I take toast very, very seriously. It is my favorite food. I have been looking for a toaster oven that can toast exotic items like bread. Turns out, the people at Black & Decker do not want me to make or eat toast.

This toaster oven toasts incredibly well. Incredibly. Well. In fact, it will toast your entire kitchen. With fire. This toaster oven actually takes bread and turns it into fire. It is a magical machine, full of mystery and wonder. If you love fire and toast, then this is the appliance for you. If you like to stay warm by the glow of a fire, then this is the appliance for you.

How to use:

1. Get fire insurance.

2. Put bread in toaster.

3. Extinguish. (Not with water though, that causes other problems, including, but not limited to, your toast being soggy)

It's pretty easy to use, except for step 1 which requires the use of a phone, which Black & Decker does not make, which is probably good because I don't like fire to be too close to my ears.

The con of this toaster oven is that it catches on fire.

The pro of this toaster oven is that it catches on fire.*

*Note this is a benefit only if you are a fire enthusiast. Otherwise, this toaster only has cons.

This toaster is not suitable for children or pets.

This toaster is not suitable if your kitchen contains anything flammable, such as furniture.

This toaster only comes in white but will turn black or brown after a few uses, so don't worry about the lack of color choices. Black matches everything.

The oven door does not close very easily.

It has a blue light, I guess that's cool.

The timer ticks. It sounds like this: tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Ding. WOOOOOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

And then EEEEEKKKKK FIIIRREEEE!!!! PUT IT OUT PUT IT OUT BUT WAIT FIRST LET ME TAKE A PICTURE SO I CAN POST IT TO MY FACEBOOK.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-TRO490W-Toast-R-Oven-Countertop/product-reviews/B00130399K/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1