Your countertop real estate is limited, and you’re trying to decide between a toaster oven or microwave as your next appliance purchase. Both serve up quick cooking and reheating, but is one decidedly better?
In this ultimate showdown, we pit toaster ovens and microwaves head to head to crown a countertop cooker champion. We compare and contrast speeds, capacity, versatility, features, and end food quality. Whether you’re looking to achieve crispy pizza, juicy chicken, or perfect toast, we explore the ideal tool for the task.
From dorm rooms and apartments to full family kitchens, the appliance you choose can impact what meals and convenience you enjoy. Let’s weigh the pros, cons, and key differences between these popular cooking staples. Discover which is truly worth your valuable countertop space and budget. The great toaster oven vs. microwave debate awaits!
Toaster ovens and microwaves are both useful appliances that can cook or reheat food quickly and easily. However, toaster ovens are better for browning, crisping, and baking foods, while microwaves are better for heating liquids, defrosting, and cooking larger quantities of food.
Price
One of the first factors to consider when choosing between a toaster oven and a microwave is the price. Both appliances come in a wide range of models and sizes, so the cost can vary depending on the features and quality you want.
According to The Daring Kitchen, the most basic model of a toaster oven can cost about $35 for a compact 4-slice one, with 6-slice models ranging from $55 to $75. There are also conventional toaster ovens that cost $200+. A microwave normally costs between $60 to $250 depending on the wattage and cubic feet.
If you want to install your appliance in your kitchen cabinet or wall, you will also need to factor in the installation costs. An installable toaster oven can cost around $150, while the microwave can range from $300 to $600. Installation costs will vary from one installer to another, though it is usually between $150 to $200.
Winner: Microwave (for lower initial cost and cheaper installation)
Features
Another aspect to compare is the features that each appliance offers. Toaster ovens and microwaves have different functions and capabilities that can affect how you cook or reheat your food.
Toaster ovens cook food using infrared radiation that is produced by coils with an electric current running through them. An individual oven may have one, two, or several coils. The heat generated by the coils warms the interior of the oven space and cooks the food from the outside in, producing a product that is cooked thoroughly on the inside and browned on the outside. Since a toaster oven’s coils heat food directly, this allows the cook to brown, caramelize, crisp, and toast foods, which are things a microwave cannot do.
Some of the features that toaster ovens can offer are:
- Convection: This feature uses a fan to circulate hot air inside the oven, resulting in faster and more even cooking. It also reduces the need for oil or butter, making it healthier and easier to clean.
- Rotisserie: This feature allows you to roast meat on a spit, creating juicy and tender results with a crispy skin.
- Broil: This feature uses high heat from the top coil to melt cheese, brown meat, or toast bread.
- Bake: This feature uses low to medium heat from both coils to bake cakes, cookies, pies, or casseroles.
- Toast: This feature uses high heat from both coils to toast bread, bagels, muffins, or waffles.
Microwaves, on the other hand, bounce electromagnetic waves throughout the oven space to heat the water in the food. These heated water molecules generate the heat that thoroughly cooks the food but does not brown or crisp the outside. The electromagnetic wave effect on liquid allows a microwave to quickly heat water for tea, a task impossible with a toaster oven. Other foods with a high-water content, fat content, or trapped liquid also cook well in a microwave.
Some of the features that microwaves can offer are:
- Defrost: This feature uses low power to thaw frozen foods without cooking them.
- Sensor: This feature automatically adjusts the cooking time and power level based on the moisture and temperature of the food.
- Grill: This feature uses a heating element or a metal rack to create grill marks and crispiness on foods like bacon, chicken, or pizza.
- Steam: This feature uses steam generated by water in a container to cook foods like vegetables, rice, or fish.
- Popcorn: This feature uses a preset time and power level to pop popcorn kernels in a microwavable bag.
Winner: Toaster Oven (for more versatility and functionality)
Performance
Another important factor to compare is the performance of each appliance in terms of cooking time, energy efficiency, and food quality. Toaster ovens and microwaves have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to these aspects.
Toaster ovens generally take longer to cook or reheat food than microwaves, as they need to preheat and use radiant heat to cook the food. However, toaster ovens can produce better results for foods that need browning, crisping, or baking, as they can create a crunchy texture and a rich flavor. Toaster ovens are also more suitable for cooking small batches of food, as they have a smaller capacity than microwaves.
Microwaves are faster and more convenient than toaster ovens, as they do not need to preheat and use electromagnetic waves to heat the food. However, microwaves can produce uneven results for foods that need browning, crisping, or baking, as they can create a soggy texture and a bland flavor. Microwaves are also more suitable for heating liquids, defrosting, or cooking large quantities of food, as they have a larger capacity than toaster ovens.
According to The Spruce Eats, the energy efficiency of each appliance depends on the wattage, the cooking time, and the type of food. Generally speaking, microwaves use less energy than toaster ovens for short cooking times and foods with high water content. However, toaster ovens use less energy than microwaves for longer cooking times and foods with low water content.
Winner: Tie (for different advantages and disadvantages)
Maintenance
The last factor to consider is the maintenance of each appliance in terms of cleaning, durability, and safety. Toaster ovens and microwaves have different requirements and challenges when it comes to these aspects.
Toaster ovens are harder to clean than microwaves, as they tend to accumulate grease, crumbs, and spills inside the oven cavity. To clean a toaster oven, you need to unplug it, remove the racks and trays, wipe down the interior and exterior with a damp cloth or sponge, and dry it thoroughly. You may also need to use a mild detergent or baking soda to remove stubborn stains or odors.
Microwaves are easier to clean than toaster ovens, as they usually have a smooth interior surface that can be wiped down with a damp cloth or sponge. To clean a microwave, you need to unplug it, remove the turntable and plate, wipe down the interior and exterior with a damp cloth or sponge, and dry it thoroughly. You may also need to use a mild detergent or vinegar to remove stubborn stains or odors.
Toaster ovens are more durable than microwaves, as they have fewer moving parts and less electronic components that can break down or malfunction. Toaster ovens can last up to 10 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Microwaves are less durable than toaster ovens, as they have more moving parts and more electronic components that can break down or malfunction. Microwaves can last up to 5 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Toaster ovens are safer than microwaves, as they do not emit radiation that can harm your health or damage your food. However, toaster ovens can pose fire hazards if left unattended or if flammable materials are placed near them. Toaster ovens can also cause burns if touched while hot or if food is removed without gloves or tongs.
Microwaves are less safe than toaster ovens, as they emit radiation that can harm your health or damage your food. However, microwaves can prevent fire hazards if used correctly and if flammable materials are avoided. Microwaves can also cause burns if food is overheated or if steam is released when opening the door.
Winner: Toaster Oven (for easier durability and safety)
Conclusion
To sum up, toaster oven vs microwave is a matter of personal preference and cooking needs. Both appliances have their pros and cons in terms of price, features, performance, and maintenance. However, based on our comparison, we think that toaster oven is the overall winner, as it offers more versatility and functionality, better food quality, and easier durability and safety. If you are looking for an appliance that can brown, crisp, bake, broil, toast, or roast your food with ease and efficiency, then a toaster oven is the best choice for you.
