Which toaster oven is best for dorm life?

by: Angela Watson, BestReviews Staff

Posted: Aug 22, 2023 / 01:22 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 22, 2023 / 01:22 PM EDT

When it comes to living in the dorms, having a toaster oven is a great appliance to have. Not only are they compact enough to fit into small spaces, but they also make it convenient to cook small meals without having to leave the dorm room. Plus, many modern toaster ovens come with advanced settings that make them useful for broiling, toasting and baking food. So, whether you want to skip the cafeteria or need a late-night snack while studying for your next exam, a good toaster oven is a must.

Shop this article: Black and Decker Toaster Oven, Mueller Austria Toaster Oven and Breville Smart Oven Convection Toaster

Two main types of toaster oven exist:

Toaster ovens for the dormitory come with many settings and functions, including:

Some modern toaster ovens come with a touch display that includes things such as:

In many cases, toaster ovens also have two to four knobs you can use to adjust the settings. They also usually have a “Start/On” and a “Cancel/Off” button you can press to use the appliance.

While not all toaster ovens come with a timer, many do. This feature is especially convenient if you don’t want to worry about checking in your food while you’re busy doing other things.

Some toaster ovens have a cool-touch feature that keeps the external surface from getting too hot while on. This includes the glass display and other outside components. Not only does this reduce the chance of you getting burned by mistake, but it also keeps the appliance from burning whatever surface it’s on.

These appliances usually have one or two racks. These are sometimes adjustable, allowing for more precise cooking and easy cleaning. They also make it easier to cook more than one dish at once, provided both are small enough to fit inside.

Certain toaster ovens have an automatic shut-off feature that prevents food from overcooking or burning. It’s also a handy safety feature for those who need to quickly step out while preparing something.

Some newer toaster ovens have infrared heating that makes preheating unnecessary and allows for an even distribution of heat to cook food evenly.

Here are some ways to keep your dormitory toaster oven clean and in great operating condition for longer:

Black and Decker Toaster Oven

This stainless steel convection oven has a curved interior that can easily fit a 9-inch pizza, up to four slices of toast or other small dishes. It has several settings, including bake, toast, keep warm and broil.

Sold by Amazon

Mueller Austria Toaster Oven

Capable of toasting several slices of bread or baking a 9-inch pizza, this appliance is perfect for dorm life. It has several cooking settings, a removable crumb tray and user-friendly dial controls.

Sold by Amazon

Breville Smart Oven Convection Toaster

This all-in-one appliance is compact enough to fit into any small dorm room. It has cooking settings for pizzas up to 13 inches, cookies, bagels, toast and more. It can also reheat, warm, bake or roast food. The display is easy to read and use. Included with the appliance are a baking pan, broiling rack and nonstick pizza pan.

Sold by Amazon

Calphalon Air Fryer Toaster Oven

This stainless steel countertop toaster oven comes with 11 preset cooking functions, including air fry, bake, broil, toast, dehydrate and reheat. It comes with a pizza pan, baking pan, wire rack and dehydrator rack. It also has a three-year limited warranty.

Sold by Amazon

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Angela Watson writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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