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A Toast to Toaster Ovens

By: Bert Aurthurs

Long before there were microwave ovens, the modern household's corner-cutting appliance of choice was the toaster oven.

The toaster oven is just that; it bakes like an oven, and cooks like a toaster. These handy gadgets can toast a slice of bread, crisp up a waffle and re-heat a dish of leftovers in no time. Best of all, these little hotties do it all without heating up the kitchen or inflating your energy bill.

Cooking with a toaster oven is as easy as using a microwave. Just dial the heat control to the temperature you need, place the food inside, and close the door. Your little toaster oven will do the same amount of work, yet use up just a little of your valuable counter space. It's also easy to keep an eye on your food, as most models have glass windows.

Most toaster ovens have two basic cooking options: toasting, and baking. If your food is set for toasting, the toaster thermostat will be automatically activated and heating elements on the top and bottom of the inner cooking compartment will be turned on. With elements placed above and below, your food will receive a balanced heat source. Like larger ovens, most toaster ovens will also feature a heat control dial, allowing you to set the desired temperature. When you set the dial of your toaster oven for baking, the baking thermometer gets activated, and the heating elements will be activated.

However, the baking process involves an additional function: a timing mechanism to control the baking time. Of course, the baking abilities will depend upon wattage and capacity, and are often related to the quality and price of the toaster oven.

Toaster ovens are manufactured products, and are prone to mechanical problems. Many owners complain that the electrical cord will burn out before the toaster oven has lived a full life. Buying a new cord is the only way to remedy this problem. Thermostats can be faulty and may cause problems. These can be recalibrated, so it may not be necessary to purchase a new toaster oven. Look in your product manual for recalibration instructions, or take the toaster oven to an appliance repair shop.

The main switch, thermal fuse and solenoid are other components of a toaster oven's electrical anatomy, and all are prone to becoming faulty with regular use. If your toaster oven needs repair, but is less than one year old, check your warranty to see if you can get a product replacement or refund. If your toaster oven is an older model in need of repair, it may be worth retiring the old oven and treating yourself to a new one. Think of the environment, however, and ask if the toaster oven can be repaired before you decide to dispose of it.

With proper use and care, you and your toaster oven should enjoy a long and happy life of sharing hors d'ouvres and mini pizzas. Bon Appetit!

Article Source: http://www.essentialgardenguide.com/gardening-articles

Bert Aurthurs is an author for several web sites, on comparison shopping and retail shopping topics.
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