TOASTER OVEN VS. COUNTERTOP OVEN: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Toaster ovens and countertop ovens are great for roasting veggies, broiling meat, toasting bread and more. When you’re shopping for a compact oven for your countertop, it can be helpful to understand the differences between toaster ovens and countertop ovens. The terms countertop oven and toaster oven are often used interchangeably, but they have traditionally been different appliances. Use this guide to compare toaster and countertop ovens to learn which option is the right choice for the way you make.
WHAT IS A TOASTER OVEN?
A toaster oven is a small electric countertop appliance that looks like a mini oven but functions as an oven-toaster hybrid. Toaster ovens are mainly used for reheating leftovers, cooking frozen foods, toasting breads and baking in small batches.
WHAT IS A COUNTERTOP OVEN?
A countertop oven is a smaller version of the range or wall ovens found in most modern kitchens. Countertop ovens offer some of the benefits of a full-sized oven in a convenient compact size, making it a great choice for smaller kitchens.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A COUNTERTOP OVEN AND A TOASTER OVEN?
The main differences between countertop and toaster ovens is their size and functionality. Countertop ovens are typically larger than toaster ovens and can be used to fully cook, roast or bake a range of recipes. Toaster ovens are usually a bit smaller and have a more limited range of settings.
However, the line between toaster ovens and countertop ovens has blurred over the years. Many toaster ovens now offer larger sizes and more features. Some manufacturers even use the terms interchangeably or call their products “countertop toaster ovens". Keeping this in mind, read on to learn more about the major differences traditionally found between countertop ovens and toaster ovens.
SIZE AND CAPACITY
Typically, toaster ovens are smaller in size compared to countertop ovens. Some countertop ovens may be large enough to cook an entire meal, like a sheet pan dinner or a whole roasted chicken.
Toaster ovens on the market today vary widely. They are usually designed to hold slices of bread for toasting or a dish for reheating, among a few other functions. Toaster ovens can be a great choice for very small kitchens or simple tasks. Some countertop ovens, like the entire lineup of KitchenAid® countertop ovens, are large enough to hold a 9x13 baking tray.
FEATURES
A countertop oven generally offers more capabilities than a toaster oven. A toaster oven is best for small tasks like toasting or reheating, but may not be able to reach the same temperatures of a countertop oven. They are also less likely to offer advanced features like roast, proof or dehydrate.
A countertop oven comes with a wide range of capabilities and can often stand in for a full sized oven, especially when cooking a dish for one or two people. Because a toaster oven usually comes with a more streamlined set of functions, they’re less likely to have convection capabilities. However, there are several convection countertop ovens on the market that offer all the benefits of convection cooking in a compact, countertop-friendly size.
BENEFITS
Both countertop ovens and toaster ovens offer a variety of benefits to your kitchen. They both usually have easy-to-clean non-stick interiors and, because of their smaller size, typically preheat faster than a traditional wall oven or range. Both options also provide more cooking space for your kitchen.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A TOASTER OVEN?
The main benefits of a toaster oven are its size and its ability to heat up quickly. Because of their speedy preheating, toaster ovens are ideal for reheating small dishes or toasting items that are buttered, like homemade garlic bread.
Toaster ovens are typically smaller than countertop ovens, which can make them a convenient option for kitchens with less counter space.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COUNTERTOP OVEN?
Like toaster ovens, countertop ovens offer the benefit of quickly heating up and taking up less space than a traditional oven. However, countertop ovens typically offer more cooking capabilities and allow you to create sheet pan dinners, freshly baked breads and sometimes even roast whole chickens.
Select KitchenAid® countertop ovens offer features like convection cooking or air frying to open up even more cooking possibilities.
WHAT CAN YOU COOK IN A COUNTERTOP OVEN VS. A TOASTER OVEN?
Countertop and toaster ovens can both cook, reheat or bake a variety of foods. Countertop ovens have the capabilities to cook full meals, like Sage Oven Fried Chicken with Potato and Chive Waffles or Honey Mustard Balsamic Roasted Salmon. Toaster ovens are great for cooking bacon, frozen appetizers, small batches of pastries and roasted vegetables.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® COUNTERTOP OVENS
KitchenAid brand countertop ovens combine full-sized oven cooking capabilities with space-saving capacity. Browse the entire line of KitchenAid® countertop ovens to get delicious results on your favorite recipes and experiment with new techniques. Find a model that features settings like air frying, dehydration and dough proofing.
