Editorial StaffSmall kitchens are not that convenient for cooking because it’s hard to find counter space; that’s why many people are looking for a permanent solution that will allow them to cook food with just one device and, in this case, the best microwave toaster oven combo. We all know that a multifunctional appliance is an excellent aid you as a homemaker can use in your kitchen, and a microwave toaster oven combo is just that. This type of machine is a must-have and an added advantage for large families who love pizzas, chicken and bagels.
In addition, many homemakers who are crunched for time should buy the right toaster oven to save them time and money and for efficiency reasons. With a traditional microwave, you can do basic cooking, but when it comes to unconventional models, you can toast 12 slices of bread and even air fry a whole chicken. The best microwave toaster oven combo has its unique features in one machine. Having so many brands emerging these days, how do you know which microwave-oven combo to buy? Read on, and let’s take a look at some of the best models on the market today.
What is a Microwave Toaster Oven Combo?
A microwave toaster oven combo refers to an oven that properly heats food more faster and quickly browns the food like any other common oven. You can do this by using both microwaves, which usually heat your food by causing its molecules to vibrate faster and correct heating elements and a fan to rotate around the heat equally. When you use this fan, it’s called “convectional cooking” and can reduce the time it takes to cook and achieve more even cooking throughout the entire meal.
Additionally, though you can toast bread in this microwave toaster oven combo, the heat usually comes from the sides instead of from up, meaning that the toasting quality will generally depend on the oven itself. Nevertheless, this combo makes cooking easier.
Numerous microwave toaster oven combos are available on the market with different features like capacity, dimensions, cooking power, and many more. So, depending on the different features, the product usually varies in its quality and price range. Therefore, we recommend choosing the combo that fits your needs and requirements to make your life straightforward.
Now that we understand what a microwave toaster oven combo is, let’s check out the best models.
1. Breville Smart Oven Convection Toaster Oven- Bov800xl
If you’re looking for microwave-like speedy results while allowing for baking, broiling, toasting and other cooking functions count on the Breville Microwave Toaster Oven Combo. The cooking is usually spread across five quartz heating components, adding about 1800 watts of cooking power. So, the combo can easily hold up to six pieces of toast. Furthermore, the appliance comes with a backlit LCD allowing for timer setting and easy programming.
The Breville BOV800XL combo is an all-around option for most families. However, you should know that due to the convection-based design, the outer part of the appliance can get hot during use. Therefore, allow a few inches of space between the wall and the oven. Moreover, although the non-stick coating throughout the interior usually helps with cleaning, it may not suit consumers who are delicate to some chemical compounds.
Pros
- The backlit LCD allows easy programming and timer setting
- Comes with 1800w five quartz heating elements
- Features large maximum capacity
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Exterior gets hot during use sometimes
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2. Black + Decker To1760ss Toaster Oven Stainless Steel
Black + Decker microwave toaster oven combo is attractive and has an eccentric look. The oven has a solid construction heating technology that will enable you to cook food faster while maintaining flavor. The oven is designed to properly manage airflow and cook food using the following settings: warming, baking, broiling, and toasting through thermodynamics. When toasting, the oven takes 9-inch pizzas and four slices of bread.
The machine comes with a 30-minute timer that is stay-on for baking foods for a prolonged period when necessary. With this model, you will get a pan and a rack. If you have a small kitchen and you might need a smaller model to fit your counter, this is the right one for you. Mainly, it includes basic settings, but through its innovative technology, you will bake a lot faster and eat healthier food.
Pros
- Includes a conventional technology
- Comes with packaged accessories like a pan and a rack
- Has an extra-wide interior
- Includes four basic pre-sets
Cons
- The appliance is not durable
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3. Panasonic Countertop Microwave Oven
Panasonic microwave oven combo is appropriately designed to give you stable power at any given temperature setting. It ensures that your food is evenly and consistently heated. This microwave has a mounting kit for your cupboard. However, if you choose not to use this feature, ensure that you leave some space around the oven to dispel the heat safely. Panasonic oven has a unique feature that allows you to cook at 30% and 50% power, unlike other ovens that only have two modes, on and off, of microwave cooking.
Usually, when you regulate the microwave power level, it pulses on and off every few seconds to heat the food slowly. However, Panasonic inverter technology encourages its users to heat their food at a lower power level throughout the entire time to heat more evenly. Though this feature is excellent for a traditional microwave, it’s different for conventional models.
For conventional models, all you must do is turn on the fan and place the oven on low to ensure even distribution of low heat. With the Panasonic model, all you need to do is press a few buttons on display and carefully follow the instructions, unlike the other models where you need to memorize some numbers or codes. In addition, this model comes with the following features turbo defrost, keep a warm, quick-minute timer and a delayed start aspect.
Though the Panasonic microwave toaster has unique functionality, it becomes difficult to repair when it breaks so, ensure that you are keen on the warranty options because a one-year period is not enough. This microwave has 1200 watts of power, making it better because your food will be ready in no time and ensures that your food has no overcooked edges and undercooked centers.
Pros
- Has an in-built innovative converter technology
- Spacious
- Genius sensor
- Easy to use
Cons
- Difficult to repair when it breaks
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4. Hamilton Beach Countertop Microwave Oven Toaster Combo
Hamilton beach oven is a 2-1 product that holds less space on your kitchen countertop. With its unique combo, it allows you to bake, toast and cook delicious dishes. One of the best things about this product is that it toasts 40% faster, and you will end up having a warm and crispy toast within seconds. In addition, with Hamilton’s oven, you will get a spacious interior offering you two rack positions. Having the benefit of the spacious interior, you can fit a 9-inch pizza inside.
Moreover, you can use the oven for baking potatoes, casseroles and much more. With this model, you won’t have to set a timer on your phone because it comes with a 60-minute timer. The timer goes off when the food is cooked and then shuts itself automatically so you won’t worry about your food burning or overcooking. Hamilton’s oven is versatile and multifunctional as it covers almost everything you would want to be done.
Pros
- Prevents your food from overcooking
- Has a stay-on feature
- Quick toaster
Cons
- Prone to malfunctioning
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5. Oster French Toaster Oven
Oster French microwave toaster combo has a unique and elegant design, all while ensuring that its user friendly in making meals preparations. The microwave features a double door that opens with just a single pull, thereby making it easy to place your meals inside. The Oster’s oven has different programs for warming, baking, broiling at one button press. The control panel has different commands; defrosting, dehydrating and temperature adjustments. The oven also includes a slow cooking selection whereby you can slow cook your food at 150 degrees Fahrenheit preset temperature for 6 hours. The best thing about this oven is its spacious interior can fit 16-inch pizzas, roast a whole chicken and toast a medium 14-slice bread.
Pros
- Cooks faster and evenly
- Has a digital control
- Larger interior capacity
Cons
- Design of the door makes the oven prone to breakage
- The space between the door allows the heat to escape
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6. Cuisinart 1.2-Cu Ft Convection Microwave Oven
The Cuisinart CMW-200 Microwave Oven Combo has some of the best programmable features on the market. You can program it for multi-stage cooking. For example, you can set it to heat on high power, defrost on low power, then brown using the oven with a single sequence of button pushes. The appliance has unique modes, including a fast bake and convection roast that automatically modulates the oven’s temperature to make your cooking experience more accessible. Cuisinart usually recommends 3” of free space at the sides and back of this appliance and back of this appliance and 12 “of vertical headspace, so you will have to remember when measuring your counter space.
Therefore, if you want a microwave toaster oven combo that has convenient, programmable cooking modes, this is the appliance to go for. It comes with a 12” rotating glass turntable, modern controls with nine pre-sets, multi-stage cooking and grill function. It also has a 3-year warranty period.
Pros
- Ideal for defrosting
- Easy to clean
- Has Convention capabilities
Cons
- The hot surface thus preventing you from placing anything on top of it
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7. Toshiba EC042A5C-SS Countertop Microwave Oven
Toshiba’s oven is a very modern, stylish and sleek machine. The oven has a stainless steel exterior that wipes clean to ensure that it looks great. It also has a stainless steel interior that ensures that your food tastes fresh. One of the best things about this machine is its automatic sensor menu of various frozen foods and other typical recipes for the best cooking results.
That way you will have a delicious meal at the end without spending a lot of hours preparing. The other unique feature of Toshiba’s countertop microwave is that it has a power saver mode and an auto-melody-off, thereby making it excellent for your kitchen. Toshiba’s countertop microwave has 1000 watts of cooking power and ten power levels.
In addition, the oven comes with the following features: a bright digital display and an intuitive control panel, making it easier to set the oven’s functions and make timer adjustments. It also features an LED light that will help you see inside without opening the door. The microwave also proves to be an added advantage as it features a turntable with a diameter of 13-inches to avoid rotation interruptions. In addition, Toshiba’s oven uses two halogen lights to help improve visibility and even has a longer lifespan than the average bulb’s.
Pros
- Powerful with10 power levels
- Spacious
- In-built automatic sensor menu
- Equipped with LCD
Cons
- Prone to issues of defect
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What Are the Benefits of Using a Microwave Toaster Oven Combo?
1. Saves time
You can cook or heat your food very quickly by using a microwave toaster oven combo, which saves you time. Cooking and heating food usually happen faster, and you don’t have to move the food from one device to another since defrosting, microwaving, and toasting can be done in one place.
2. Saves money
Since its two-in-one combo saves your bucks from investing in more than one kitchen appliance for cooking purposes, you will require one of these rather than two for every function. Besides, one appliance will solve all your issues with baking and cooking. Additionally, these microwaves are energy-efficient, hence allowing you to save a dollar as you continue using them.
3. Saves space
We can say a microwave toaster oven combo is a space-saver, especially for those with space issues. With this multi-tasking countertop appliance, you can space the kitchen and even replace your typical oven for multiple dishes. So, instead of going for both an oven and a microwave separately, you should try this all-in-one appliance.
4. Versatility
With this equipment, you can enjoy versatility. Everything is possible using this appliance, from roasting a chicken to cooking a crispy pizza or baking a cake. Most of these units feature many pre-programmed settings that you efficiently use for cooking different dishes.
5. Nutrient-rich dishes
The truth is, the convection oven usually cooks nutrient-rich dishes, so you don’t even have to think about food nutrition.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
1. Size of the appliance
Before settling for the best microwave toaster oven combo, it’s essential to consider the size of the appliance. These combos usually come in different sizes. Therefore, you should first consider the space available on your kitchen shelf and countertop and pick one that matches this. Also, consider what you want to use it for. You don’t want something too tiny or too big. So if it’s just something small like defrosting meat or reheating meals, smaller size equipment will be enough.
Conversely, if you want to cook more sophisticated meals, choosing a larger model is better. Check out the interior dimensions of any models you want and compare them with the dimensions of things you cook regularly, like cookie sheets or casserole dishes.
2. Capacity
Capacity is another factor to consider before settling for the best microwave toaster oven combo. When shopping, you will realize that microwaves are usually designed for regular use (that’s, heating food), and they don’t have sufficient capacity for baking. However, some microwaves includes convection capabilities, single turntable and double racks. The turntable allows you to warm or toast something on top of the turntable as the casserole bakes below, which is a big plus when cooking multiple dishes at once.
However, you will realize that these microwaves with convection capabilities usually take longer to warm up than their regular counterparts. Therefore, if you are in a hurry, you might want to warm it up before the actual preparation of the meals.
3. Safety
Safety is a vital consideration, especially when dealing with electronic appliances. For example, we have heard stories about exploding eggs or melted plastic baby bottles in the microwave oven. Although such accidents are not common, they occur when we are reckless, and since nowadays’ microwaves are powerful, these accidents can cause serious injuries.
Therefore, when shopping for a microwave toaster oven combo, look for models that come with multiple built-in safety features. These features include a carousel that usually turns so that each oven area gets even exposure to the rotating microwaves. Moreover, microwave toaster combos with turntables usually put food in various appliance areas to heat it equally.
4. Convenience and easy to use
You don’t want an appliance that will give you a hard time when using it. Instead, think about its convenience; we all live busy lives. For instance, you might want a model with cooking sensors that can automatically shut off the combo when the food is done, so you don’t have to keep checking on the food or worry that you have overbaked your chicken.
Furthermore, a microwave toaster oven combo with an oven rack that can slide out for easy access and come with a self-cleaning feature is a great option. Some microwave toaster oven combo usually has racks with rollers allowing them to slide in and out smoothly. Also, removable crumb trays are convenient and can make using this appliance easier.
5. Programmability
Generally, microwaves will provide you with better cooking options since most them can be programmed for 30 seconds unlike toasters. Therefore, You will find that having control is very essential when your toaster lacks convention capabilities since baking time depends on two things, that is, how well the meal is cooked and the rack its on.
Some people usually find pulling out a chair and standing there checking on their food tiring. So, look for microwaves with great pre-programmed options so you can press a button and go ahead and relax while your food gets ready.
6. Heating elements
Before you can settle for a microwave toaster oven combo, consider the heating elements. Look for a unit with a powerful all-around heating element that can create much heat of at least 450F. You’ll also want to consider a toaster that features an integrated broiler function for versatility cooking and one with different rack positions, further upping the number of dishes you can create.
Ensure you check out the different types of heating on offer, too, as these units should boast both circulation-based and convection-based options as well as standard microwave-based designs.
7. Automatic Cooking
Some microwave toaster oven combos feature pre-programmed buttons with the names of regular foods. The symbols are usually straightforward; potatoes, fish, popcorn, pizza and so on; therefore, you won’t have to spend much time checking the microwave or checking cookbooks for the cooking period.
You press a button, and everything is ready when you’re. Besides, suppose your oven toaster doesn’t have this feature. In that case, you can purchase a Microwave Keypad accessory that allows your standard countertop model to perform double tasks as a toaster oven and microwave.
8. Cooking habits
Before you can pay for your best microwave toaster oven combo, understand your cooking habits. If you rarely cook, you can forego convection capabilities. However, if you regularly bake or whip up a roasted chicken for family dinner, then microwave toaster oven combo is suitable for you.
This appliance may also be necessary when holiday time comes, and baking becomes a higher priority than usual. Therefore, convection microwaves work by circulating hot air inside the oven cavity, resulting in longer cooking times than regular microwaves for specific meals and less crispy crust on casseroles and other meals cooked on top of the stove. Besides, convection microwaves are suited for equally browned dishes like pizza.
9. Additional features
The modern microwave toaster combo usually has additional features like removable crumb trays for easy cleaning and other dishwasher-safe components. These combos can even excel at making rotisserie chicken through integrated rotisserie forks, rotisserie baskets, rotisserie spit and related accessories. Furthermore, some models also come with built-in timers, the ability to automatically shut down when the food is ready, and others provide childproof locks for security.
