TOASTER OVEN VS. MICROWAVE: WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR KITCHEN?
Kitchen appliances and tools can help you experiment with go-to classics and brand new recipes, so choosing the right ones may make all of the difference in the way you create. See the chart below to compare toaster ovens and microwaves at a glance, then keep reading for a deep dive into their differences and learn how to choose the best one for your kitchen.
| TOASTER OVEN | MICROWAVE | |
|---|---|---|
| CAPACITY | 0.3 - 1.0 cubic feet (2- to 8-slice models) | 1.1 - 2.2 cubic feet |
| FEATURES* | Defrost, bake, broil, toast, reheat on basic models | Defrost, reheat, pre-programmed settings (popcorn, potato, etc.) on basic models |
| TYPES OF FOOD | Best for low water content: toast, bread, baked goods, vegetables, seafood | Best for high water content: beverages, soups, steamed vegetables |
| INSTALLATION | Countertop (some undercounter) | Built-in, countertop or over-the-range |
*Features vary by model.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A TOASTER OVEN AND A MICROWAVE
Use the list below to learn more about how microwaves and toaster ovens differ in their heating process, cooking times, size, features, types of food they’re best suited for, maintenance and installation.
1. HEATING PROCESS
Toaster ovens cook food much like traditional ovens, heating electric coils to cook and brown, crisp or caramelize foods from the outside in. Rather than heated coils, microwaves generate electromagnetic waves that bounce off the interior walls, penetrate food and cause water and fat molecules to vibrate. The vibrations cook the food from the inside out.
2. COOKING TIME
Differences in the way microwaves and toaster ovens heat food lead to a large variation in cooking time. Microwaves don’t need to preheat and don’t cook using direct heat the way toaster ovens do, so they tend to cook foods faster. Toaster ovens typically preheat faster than a conventional oven but cook low and slow enough to heat food all the way through without burning the outside, which gives them the opportunity to create a crispy and browned exterior on food that conventional microwaves can’t match.
Select KitchenAid® microwaves feature Air Fry, Grill and Convection Cooking Modes that expand the possibilities of microwave cooking.
3. SIZE & CAPACITY
Toaster ovens generally have smaller dimensions and less capacity than microwaves. Their capacity is typically measured in cubic feet—which ranges from about 0.3 to 1 cubic feet—and how many slices of bread they can toast in one batch, which most commonly ranges anywhere from 2 to 8 slices. Standard toaster oven dimensions are about 16 to 20 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches deep. These appliances are best for making small batches of baked goods like lavender shortbread cookies, reheating leftovers, toasting bread or cooking frozen foods.
Select KitchenAid® countertop ovens feature large capacities capable of fitting a 9" x 13" sheet pan to easily accommodate a sheet cake, full one-pan dinner, or up to 2 full-size chickens (3.6 lbs each).
Microwave dimensions and capacity vary by type and model. Standard microwaves range from about 10-22 inches in height, 21-30 inches in width and 15-25 inches in depth, but some models feature a smaller footprint without compromising on capacity. Select KitchenAid® microwaves showcase a low profile design that gives you more room to create on the cooktop below while still accommodating a 9" x 13" casserole dish. Microwave capacity most commonly spans from about 1.1-2.2 cubic feet, which may accommodate anything from dinner plates to large dishes.
4. FEATURE SET
Toaster oven features vary by model, but you can expect most toaster ovens to toast, reheat, defrost, bake or broil small batches or dishes at your specified temperature. For an expanded feature set, consider upgrading to a countertop oven like the KitchenAid® Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry to enjoy added features like Even-Heat™ Convection Technology, air frying, dehydrating and more.
Entry-level microwaves typically allow you to change power levels and include a handful of pre-programmed settings like popcorn, defrost and potato. More advanced models—like the KitchenAid® 30" 1000-Watt Microwave Hood Combination—can include sensor functions that automatically adjust cook, reheat or defrost times to help remove the guesswork about power levels and cooking times.
5. TYPES OF FOOD
Microwaves and toaster ovens can effectively cook or reheat a number of the same dishes, but they’re each best suited for certain types of food. Toaster ovens can brown, crisp and toast foods in ways that a conventional microwave can’t. This means toaster ovens are well-suited for creating dishes like roasted veggies with balsamic glaze or small batches of pull apart potato rolls, spiced parsnip muffins, bacon-wrapped scallops and more.
Microwaves do best with foods that have high water content and are ideal for reheating food and beverages like coffee cashew lattes, creamy cauliflower soup or a spiced chamomile hot toddy.They are also perfect for making microwave bread.
Some microwaves are designed with features that can mimic the results of a conventional or countertop oven. For instance, select KitchenAid® microwaves feature Convection Cooking Modes that can bake or roast foods, Grill Mode that can sear meats or broil veggies, and even an Air Fry Mode that can crisp and brown with less oil than deep frying.
6. MAINTENANCE
Both microwaves and toaster ovens need routine cleaning and maintenance to work their best. Toaster ovens have more removable components to clean—including wire racks and crumb catchers—as well as exposed heating elements.
Microwaves can feature steam-clean functions that loosen residue for a quick and simple wipe-down. With the microwave tray removed, the open and bare interior can make it easier to clear out food splatters.
7. INSTALLATION
Microwaves offer a wider variety of installation options than countertop ovens and come in built-in, countertop and microwave hood combination models. Though some toaster oven models can be installed under cabinets, the majority are designed as countertop appliances and require some clearance from surrounding appliances to operate properly.
CAN A TOASTER OVEN REPLACE A MICROWAVE?
While you can complete nearly any microwave task in a toaster oven, it will typically take much longer. Toaster ovens cook slower than microwaves and do best at crisping or browning foods with low water content like breads and baked goods. However, toaster ovens function like standard ovens and can’t take on common microwave tasks as quickly or simply, like heating liquid ingredients, beverages, soups or popcorn.
SHOULD I GET A MICROWAVE OR TOASTER OVEN?
A toaster oven may be best if you frequently toast foods like breads, waffles and sandwiches, reheat crispy leftovers or are looking for ways to supplement oven space for busy baking days. You may want to opt for a microwave if you value quick cooking, are short on countertop space or frequently heat ingredients high in water content.
Ultimately, which appliance is right for you comes down to the types of food you plan to heat most and your kitchen’s layout.
SHOP KITCHENAID® MICROWAVES AND COUNTERTOP OVENS
KitchenAid® microwaves and countertop ovens are designed to help you bake, broil, brown or steam your next great creation. KitchenAid® microwaves do more than reheat with select models that feature an air fry and grill mode so you can sear, broil or crisp any entree or side dish. Select countertop ovens by KitchenAid brand feature up to 12 essential cooking settings from air fry to bake, dehydration, pizza and even dough proofing.
