If you’re tired of machines and items piling up on your countertop, you need to get a multifunctional device. A microwave toaster oven combo will do everything a traditional oven and toaster can without turning your kitchen into a hot box.
Microwave toaster oven combos are capable of toasting, baking, and microwaving, which saves you lots of time and money. But, to enjoy the benefits and true hybrid functionalities of a microwave toaster oven, you need to choose the right one. The ideal pick is usually defined by the quality of its build, the heating technology used, durability, speeds, internal room, and features.
A good microwave toaster oven could be the most versatile purchase you can make for your space. It’ll easily become your go-to for heating up or cooking meals every day. We reviewed the quality microwave toaster oven combos of 2023 and compiled some buying tips to help you get a great device.
Microwave toaster oven combos save space, time, money, and lots of your energy in working with multiple appliances in the kitchen. This single device can cook any kind of meal in the shortest time possible. There are many models, each offering a better combination of additional features and design than the other, and it’s easy to get lost and confused with so many options around. To help you with that, we’ve compiled a detailed buyer’s guide where we go over everything you should know about these appliances.
What Exactly Is a Microwave Toaster Oven Combo?
The microwave toaster oven combo is a kitchen appliance that is designed with the ability to combine the functions of a convection oven, toaster, and microwave. It gets its quick cooking ability from the microwave and thorough, even heat and its “browning” ability from the conventional one.
You can heat your food with microwave mode and also cook a complete meal in the convectional mode. For those concerned with versatility, you can bake different food items, make frozen food, toast bagels, and bread, and even roast a complete chicken for dinner with this combo oven. They are convenient, easy to use, and super useful in the kitchen.
What To Consider When Buying a Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
Controls and presets
An appliance you will be using daily should be easy to operate and maintain. Always go for straightforward, and intuitive controls with an easy-to-read LCD backlit screen or an old-school rotary dial. Most microwave toaster oven combo models come with various useful program function presets that suit many usual recipes. These preset options make cooking a lot easier and quicker, doing wonders for frozen food, chicken, toast, popcorn, pizza, and more.
Heating elements
The heating elements of a microwave toaster oven combo are important. You should get a model that comes with versatile and powerful heating elements that can create lots of heat, at least around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, look for a toaster with an integrated broiler function and multiple rack positions so you have versatile cooking freedom. Check for the number and types of heating offered, as these units should allow both circulation-based and convection-based cooking options.
Other features
Most modern models offer additional features like removable crumb trays or dishwasher-safe components. Some models even allow you to cook rotisserie chicken through integrated baskets, rotisserie forks and spits, and other accessories. You can also look for built-in timers and automatic shut-off functions to prevent overcooking. Another great feature is the childproof lock, which is ideal for people who have kids and pets around.
Size and capacity
Select the size according to your family’s needs and cooking habits. You wouldn’t want to get a small oven and cook in batches to complete the quantity or an oven that’s too large for your countertop.
The capacity of
a microwave oven is often limited since it’s designed for simply heating food. Look for an oven combo that has grills, and racks in addition to a single turntable plate so you can toast and warm items on top while your main dish bakes below.
Ease of cleaning
Another important consideration with ovens is that they should be easy to clean. After all, you’re buying them for convenience. Look for a model with a removable crumb tray and rotating plate so you can easily clean. The number of crevices also impacts the ease and time taken for cleaning.
Why Get a Microwave Toaster Oven Combo?
Let’s look at some of the benefits of oven combos:
Easier and quicker
Convection microwave ovens come with the ability to cook food in about 30 to 50% less time than a regular oven takes. So, you can save a lot of your cooking time with oven combos.
Convenient and versatile
Microwave toaster oven combos are multi-functional. This means you can broil, bake, heat, toast, brown or air fry your food in a single appliance. Some models even come with the ability to sense and activate different modes automatically according to different cooking stages. You can enjoy
air fryer and rotisserie functions along with other cooking capabilities as well.
Saves space
By getting a combo appliance, you save a lot of your kitchen space. A single device combines the functions and features of two or more kitchen appliances and keeps your kitchen from looking cluttered and full of machines.
Makes better-tasting food
Convection microwave ovens make your food crispier and richer by cooking it thoroughly and evenly with a combination of methods. They can also help you maintain a healthier lifestyle with low-oil cooking.
Saves money
Last but not the least, investing in a product like this is worth every penny spent. You can save on getting multiple appliances and instead buy a microwave toaster oven combo at a lesser cost than their prices combined.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Here are a few tips to keep your microwave toaster oven combo looking and working its best:
- Always use the appropriate and safe cookware in the oven.
- Never put metal objects in the oven as they can damage the machine.
- If you see something in the oven ignite, keep the door closed and turn it off from the source.
- Never run the microwave toaster oven empty as it can damage the magnetron.
- Make sure you always unplug the appliance before cleaning it.
- Use a solution of mild detergent and water for cleaning and clear up any spills as soon as possible so they don’t harden.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners.
