Frequently Asked Questions on Toasters

If your bread toasts much darker on one side than on the other or on the top or the bottom, there may be several causes. The thickness of a piece of bread impacts the manner in which it toasts, so keep that in mind as you slice bread. In addition, make sure that your crumb tray is empty, as a full tray can hinder your toaster’s performance. If you are toasting just one piece of bread, use a light setting to try and keep any section of the bread from becoming too dark. Make sure that your bread is inserted properly and falls all the way to the bottom of the slot. If none of these causes seems to be at the root of your uneven toast, your toaster may simply be producing more heat in certain sections, so if this is especially bothersome, it may be time for a new toaster.

Toasters have two to four slots in which to toast bread, but toaster ovens have space for small amounts of baking, broiling, or roasting; they truly are a small oven. Toaster ovens typically have two racks on which you can put bread, but on which you can also put any other items that you would normally put in the oven. Because the space is smaller, the toaster oven wastes less energy on small projects and heats quicker than does a full oven. Some toaster ovens also increase cooking speed through the use of convection cooking or infrared heating. 

 

When you are deciding between a toaster and a toaster oven, think about the ways in which you will use the appliance. If all you need is toasted bread, the traditional toaster should be fine for you. Toasters are $35-$60 cheaper than toaster ovens, and they toast bread in two to three minutes (a toaster oven takes twice that length). If, however, you want to use your appliance to do more than just toast bread, consider the toaster oven, which toasts but also provides an alternative cooking appliance.