Using the toaster oven to bake small portions can save money.
A countertop oven is a portable oven, designed to set on the kitchen counter. Some toaster ovens also set on the counter, while some model designs hang under the overhead cabinets and above the kitchen cabinet. The toaster oven can replace a pop-up toaster and can perform some of the same cooking tasks as a conventional oven, yet on a smaller scale.
Toaster
The toaster oven tends to be smaller than other oven types, and uses less energy. Toaster ovens use about 1,225 watts, while a standard pop-up toaster uses between 800 and 1,400 watts. Instead of inserting slices of bread into the appliance to toast, you place the bread slices on the racks inside the toaster oven, and its heating elements toast the bread. Because food sets on racks, instead of being inserted into slots, it is easier to toast larger bread items, such as bagels. The toaster also bakes like a conventional oven, but on a smaller scale -- typically individual servings.
Microwave
Microwave ovens are available in countertop models. The microwave oven has a magnetron, which generates microwave energy. The microwaves cause the molecules to move, which creates friction and heats the food, beginning on the inside. Unlike toaster ovens, you don't adjust the cooking temperature. Instead of setting the appliance for a specific temperature, the microwave has settings ranging from low to high. In a lower setting, the appliance cycles on and off during the cooking time. The microwave oven tends to use less energy than a toaster oven, averaging between 750 and 1,100 watts.
Conventional
A conventional or traditional oven cooks with thermal heat. While conventional ovens are typically built-ins, or stand-alone appliances with stovetops, there are some countertop conventional ovens on the market. They tend to be roomier than a toaster oven. For example, a countertop conventional oven could cook a small roast, while a small roast would not fit into a toaster oven. A conventional oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit uses about 2,000 watts of energy.
Convection
The convection oven is similar to the conventional oven, yet it includes an internal fan, which circulates the heat during cooking. This enables the oven to cook much faster than a conventional oven. Like conventional ovens, some convections are countertop models. There are also combination ovens, in which the countertop oven is both a convection and a microwave oven. When you turn the fan off in a convection oven, it cooks like a conventional oven.
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