Convection Toaster Oven
A convection toaster oven is a dual purpose oven that serves as a convection oven and a toaster in the same device. These ovens tend to allow you to turn off the convection portion of the oven so you can toast bread or pastries. Most individuals, however, take full advantage of the power of the convection oven to speed up the process of toasting, allowing for an even toast on all sides of your bread.
When you go to purchase a convection toaster oven, there are several things that you should keep in mind. First, you should determine what size convection toaster oven you need. You can purchase a convection toaster oven that is no larger than a standard toaster fitting four pieces of bread. Alternatively, you can purchase a convection toaster oven that allows you to roast a turkey or chicken in it easily. You will need to decide how much counter space you are willing to give up when you purchase your oven.
In addition to the size, you will need to decide the wattage of your convection toaster oven. The wattage is often a good sign of how effective the oven is at cooking foods. Ovens that operate at a higher wattage tend to have a broader range of temperatures they can cook at, additional sensors built into the oven, and more powerful fans to help keep air circulating properly. The heat elements may be of higher quality as well, ensuring even heating across the entire element. This can be crucial in sensitive dishes such as pastries, cakes and pies.
The standard convection toaster oven will have wattage of at least 1000. These types of convection ovens tend to be the smallest available, usually having the least amount of space inside the oven and the fewest amounts of features, including advanced timers, viewing panes and slower heating times. You will usually need to heat your oven longer before it is ready for use if you purchase a low wattage oven.
When you are cooking with a convection toaster oven, you will need to alter your standard recipes. This is due to the fact that even the weakest convection ovens tend to cook more efficiently than standard stoves. As the protective layer of cool air is removed from the food as it is cooking, you will need lower cooking temperatures and less time to be done than if you are cooking in a standard stove.