OT - Counter Top Ovens - OT

GATraveller

I need oven space!  I have a great built-in but find ourselves short on real estate when the holidays roll around and we're hosting the family.  We're kinda leaning towards the Breville Smart Oven Air but have no experience with one.  Just want to see if any of you guys/gals have any experience/ideas/concerns.



Thanks

pgprescott

Big Green eggs are ovens. 

northGAcock

From my experience, you want to make sure that there is depth (and height) in the oven to handle your cooking vessels. In other words, you want to look at the actual cavity of cooking space. Some will look big but really the depth is limited. I also eliminated my toaster with one of these ovens....so if counter real estate is valuable....you might be able to do that as well. Mine has a convection function which i use when doing roasted potatoes....which helps crisp them up a bit. On the cleaning front, mine has a valued feature of having a removable bottom to it. I occasionally pull it and stick in in the dishwasher. Mine has a couple of sheet pan type inserts and a broiling pan with raised grid. Like anything else, think about what types of items you would be cooking in it. Try not to limit yourself size wise however you have to acknowledge that it is not going to do the volume that your built in one does.

Other than that, you want easy to use features (on / off) temp and timer settings.

Eoin

We have a panasonic combination oven and microwave that works well and adds a bit of flexibility.

GATraveller

northGAcock said:

From my experience, you want to make sure that there is depth (and height) in the oven to handle your cooking vessels. In other words, you want to look at the actual cavity of cooking space. Some will look big but really the depth is limited. I also eliminated my toaster with one of these ovens....so if counter real estate is valuable....you might be able to do that as well. Mine has a convection function which i use when doing roasted potatoes....which helps crisp them up a bit. On the cleaning front, mine has a valued feature of having a removable bottom to it. I occasionally pull it and stick in in the dishwasher. Mine has a couple of sheet pan type inserts and a broiling pan with raised grid. Like anything else, think about what types of items you would be cooking in it. Try not to limit yourself size wise however you have to acknowledge that it is not going to do the volume that your built in one does.

Other than that, you want easy to use features (on / off) temp and timer settings.

Thanks for the info.  Size was the motivating factor for choosing this one.  It was one of the few I could find that would hold a 9x13.  I have the built-in for anything bigger......as well as 2 LBGE's @pgprescott 

fishlessman

no experience with the little ovens, but back in college in the frat house we had a built in salamander. i dont understand why they dont make them with residential prices. that thing was used all the time

pgprescott

@GATraveller must have a big family and lots of friends! Excellent!

JRWhitee

@GATraveller just saw this, I was thinking about getting a counter top too. 40% off
https://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/electrics/electrics-breville/?Kenshoo=49e6b5ce-ab67-4e76-bb12-7fbcba05ee6f&cm_ven=NonBrandSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=NonBrand_Search_Breville_Exact&cm_ite=breville oven&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2OXf1Yat1wIVCLnACh1tHwQPEAAYASAAEgIc8fD_BwE

Aviator

I would suggest upgrading your microwave to the newer convection/microwave units, which look exactly like a microwave but has convection built into it as well so will work as an oven. Ours is a GE profile and has been so reliable for so many years. 

HeavyG

Eoin said:

We have a panasonic combination oven and microwave that works well and adds a bit of flexibility.

When I first heard about those a few years ago I went looking to buy one. For some reason they just aren't available in the USA.

Does your unit have the steam feature?

Eoin

HeavyG said:

Eoin said:

We have a panasonic combination oven and microwave that works well and adds a bit of flexibility.

When I first heard about those a few years ago I went looking to buy one. For some reason they just aren't available in the USA.

Does your unit have the steam feature?

No, grill, oven and microwave. We use microwaveable steamers for steaming, but you have to be careful not to toast the veg. This is our second, over 10 years old. Might go steamer too next time.

kdink

We have that unit and very happy with it except takes long time to make toast.

DoubleEgger

Aviator said:

I would suggest upgrading your microwave to the newer convection/microwave units, which look exactly like a microwave but has convection built into it as well so will work as an oven. Ours is a GE profile and has been so reliable for so many years. 

Agree. We had a GE Advantium at our previous place and it was amazing. 

Budgeezer

GATraveller said:

I need oven space!  I have a great built-in but find ourselves short on real estate when the holidays roll around and we're hosting the family.  We're kinda leaning towards the Breville Smart Oven Air but have no experience with one.  Just want to see if any of you guys/gals have any experience/ideas/concerns.



Thanks

We have the exact same convention oven.  Works great as additional oven space.  We use it to rewarm left over apps from the BGE it brings them back fairly close to just pulling them off the egg.  It also worked great for left over pizza.  Solid unit, we have not been disappointed and have had it for over 3 years. 

kl8ton

Here is a second oven!

blasting

DoubleEgger said:

Aviator said:

I would suggest upgrading your microwave to the newer convection/microwave units, which look exactly like a microwave but has convection built into it as well so will work as an oven. Ours is a GE profile and has been so reliable for so many years. 

Agree. We had a GE Advantium at our previous place and it was amazing. 

I've got the GE Advantium.  As @DoubleEgger said, it's amazing.

Breville products are top notch too.  I've liked the few that I've owned.

GATraveller

kl8ton said:

Here is a second oven!

I wish. 

stv8r

I have this one...

Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Convection Toaster Oven with Element IQ

It's amazing!  I use it 10 times more than my built in lol.  Cooks very evenly and temps are accurate.  Definitely a good choice if you need a 2nd oven.

GATraveller

Awesome!

Thanks for all the info everyone. 

JRWhitee

I just ordered the Breville, I like their products we have the matching espresso machine. This site costs me more money....

GlennM

Wolf makes a nice toaster oven? 

Dredger

We really like our new Oster XL Digital Convection Oven with French Doors. I had decided on this one several months ago, but when I went to order, they were out of stock. They finally got them back in and I ordered one. It's large enough for most of my pans, so it works for us. Plus it has a light.

GATraveller

Dredger said:

We really like our new Oster XL Digital Convection Oven with French Doors. I had decided on this one several months ago, but when I went to order, they were out of stock. They finally got them back in and I ordered one. It's large enough for most of my pans, so it works for us. Plus it has a light.

How do you like the french doors?  Does it take both hands to open?  I usually have a pan in one hand when opening the oven door.

dannys

Anyone know what the safe clearance is for these types of ovens?  I've been thinking about a microwave-convection but I'm worried about the heat they generate harming my cabinetry.

Botch

Make sure you get an electronic timer, not a mechanical one (don't cheep out). I kick myself every morning when I make toast, it's never the same.  And, of course, since I wish it would break so I could get a Breville, it's been 100% reliable for over 10 years....  

Rascal

I have a Breville unit in both homes and absolutely love them!  I bake everything from cookies to bread, and bake/broil chicken, fish, and even meatloaf!!  The "Smart Oven" has a convection mode which I always use to shorten cooking times.  On top of all that, it's a great toaster!!~~

CtTOPGUN

 Looking at the Breville Air myself. I like the dehydrator and air fry features a lot.

Rascal

If you now have one, or are thinking of purchasing a Smart Oven, check out the aluminized, quarter sheet pans at Wally world.  They're a perfect fit and certainly worth the price at under 5 bucks.  Albeit, they're not safe for the dish washer or with abrasive cleaners, so I often line them with foil for an easy cleanup. 

fishlessman

GATraveller said:

Dredger said:

We really like our new Oster XL Digital Convection Oven with French Doors. I had decided on this one several months ago, but when I went to order, they were out of stock. They finally got them back in and I ordered one. It's large enough for most of my pans, so it works for us. Plus it has a light.

How do you like the french doors?  Does it take both hands to open?  I usually have a pan in one hand when opening the oven door.

open one door, the other opens automatically from what it looks like on youtube

Focker

fishlessman said:

GATraveller said:

Dredger said:

We really like our new Oster XL Digital Convection Oven with French Doors. I had decided on this one several months ago, but when I went to order, they were out of stock. They finally got them back in and I ordered one. It's large enough for most of my pans, so it works for us. Plus it has a light.

How do you like the french doors?  Does it take both hands to open?  I usually have a pan in one hand when opening the oven door.

open one door, the other opens automatically from what it looks like on youtube

That significant gap in the middle you can see through, 1/4",  is concerning.

Dredger

@GATraveller and @fishlessman, that is correct. Just pull on one side and both doors open. @Focker, the slight gap has not been an issue. The toast this one makes is remarkably consistent. Sorry for the delayed reply. Been fighting a sinus infection off and on for over a week. Thank the Lord for doTerra oregano oil. It stinks, but it works as an antibiotic. Just hate having to take prescription drugs.