Toaster ovens

[DrPizza]

wait..those bags really work? I love baked potatoes. but hate how much a pain they are to do.

Oh, definitely a pain to bake potatoes.

Step 1: turn oven on.
Step 2: put potato in oven
Step 3: wait.

You can even screw up and reverse the first two steps, and it. still. works.

If baked potatoes are a pain, I cannot imagine how much trouble a bowl of cereal with milk must be in the morning.

 

[davmat787]

Apparently I was the only one who put a lot of thought into the stove I bought? It's dual fuel (gas for the stovetop, electric for the ovens. Two ovens: top oven is a narrower over, about the size of most broilers, but with 40 amps or whatever it's rated for, it heats up damn fast, can be used as a broiler or toaster, heats up as fast as a toaster oven, yet has more space, so I can bake a couple dozen cookies in it at once, if I were so inclined. It's a lot more useful at holiday time - I can roast a turkey on convection roast in the bottom oven, while baking fresh pies in the top oven. Toaster oven... pshh.


"Baked" potatoes done in a microwave are actually "steamed potatoes." Microwaved potatoes are to baked potatoes as an applesauce sandwich is to an apple pie.

Dude, you put a lot of thought into your fast food order according to your post in another thread lol. I think analyzing any decision to a relatively high degree is kind of your hallmark man!

I think it's great too.

 

[disappoint]

Oh, definitely a pain to bake potatoes.

Step 1: turn oven on.
Step 2: put potato in oven
Step 3: wait.

You can even screw up and reverse the first two steps, and it. still. works.

If baked potatoes are a pain, I cannot imagine how much trouble a bowl of cereal with milk must be in the morning.

I think step 3 is what he means by "pain". It takes about an hour to bake potatoes at 350°F.

 

[davmat787]

I think step 3 is what he means by "pain". It takes about an hour to bake potatoes at 350°F.

You can greatly speed up the process by microwaving until about 75% done and finishing up in the oven.

Or you can simply start baking them about 90 minutes before expected eating time.

 

[Muse]

Yes, but why would you? They make cloth type of bags that you can toss into the microwave for 5 minutes. There isn't a single oven that can cook a potato in that time.

To quote the great Mitch Hedberg:


Here is an example of a potato cooking bag on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/MicrowavePotatoBags-com-Microwave-Potato-Bag-Fiesta/dp/B004WTEGNM

And yes, you are dumb for throwing out a toaster oven. Wouldn't live without em. You know how most things (like pizza) say "Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees"? Yeah, you ACTUALLY have to pre-heat. Not so with a toaster oven, they heat up damn quickly.

Potato cooking bag! OMG, never heard of such a thing. Well, I'll check it out, sounds like something I could DIY.

OK, you guys convinced me not to chuck my TO. Last night, in fact, inspired by this thread, I came home and, having no dinner plans, I pulled out the last of a bag of frozen french fries from the freezer and looked to do them up in the TO, as a couple of people recommended here. I riffled through my pans. All my small rectangular pans were just 1/4" or so too long to fit. I decide on a largish round pie pan. I set the TO to broil, the temperature to 400*. In 10-15 minutes the fries were looking to be interesting. I salted them, they were rather good. It used to take me over 20 minutes to bake the fries in my oven. I'd put them in a cold oven and turn it on to 425* or so.

Looking up my Philips KP9100 I found a driver! A driver for a TO! I downloaded it, but wonder how in the world I can update a TO. Anyone know? I also downloaded the PDF manual.

Edit: That potato bag at Amazon says:

Works for potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, tortillas & more.

I've been microwaving all those recently. I have just been tossing them in on a plate. Corn on the cob, I just remove some of the outside husks, trim the end and toss it on the platter and cook on high, turning every couple of minutes for a total of 5-6 minutes. Let cool a couple minutes, remove husk, maybe run a little cold water over it and eat, don't bother with butter, salt or pepper.

 

[Muse]

You know how most things (like pizza) say "Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees"? Yeah, you ACTUALLY have to pre-heat. Not so with a toaster oven, they heat up damn quickly.

A few years ago I pretty much stopped bothering to preheat my oven. I put things in a cold oven and set the thermostat and adjust cooking time accordingly. The whole process takes less time than if you preheat the oven and it uses a lot less natural gas. This might not work for some stuff, but it seems to work fine for the things I bake. Like I said, I don't use my oven as much as I used to. I've been using it sparingly to say the least. I do use my microwave a ton! I also found that on the curb!!! I know, they are pretty cheap, but the one I have is fine, looks good (all my kitchen appliances are white!) and big enough for me.

I have brought home a number of cast-out microwaves, I remove the big donut shaped magnets, they are very useful. But this MW turned out to be functional and good looking to boot. When my last one died it took over the MW duties.

I couldn't live without mine. I have a piece of toast and jam almost every morning. In the winter there is nothing like opening that oven for your piece of toast and leaving the door open for a little bit of warmth.... (Hey - I don't have a fireplace in my apartment.... maybe when I buy a house )

I have been thinking of getting a new one because mine is pretty old, but still does the job. I'm just waiting for Kaido to talk me into it like he has with half the gadgets currently sitting in my kitchen.

Kaido is one of the supreme Anandtech contributors, I discovered that (or rediscovered it) last week!

I had a Hamilton Beach Set and Forget convection toaster oven that worked well, but I gave it away to save some counter space. Probably shouldnt have done that, because now I'm back to eating bread and toasting/warming things in a standard sized oven.

Oh dude, you need to have a toaster and a microwave.

"Baked" potatoes done in a microwave are actually "steamed potatoes." Microwaved potatoes are to baked potatoes as an applesauce sandwich is to an apple pie.

Yes, I'm not thrilled with the potatoes I've been cooking in my microwave, but I'm not about to turn on my gas oven for them. It would take forever, not to mention the gas usage. They aren't too bad. I make potato salad with them. I suppose I could boil them, but haven't tried that route.

You can greatly speed up the process by microwaving (potatoes) until about 75% done and finishing up in the oven.

This is creative thinking. The % is up to you, but 75% might be efficient indeed. I generally keep my potatoes in the fridge. Putting a 40* potato in the oven is kind of dumb. My sweet potatoes I don't refrigerate because I heard it screws them up, makes them tough IIRC. Sweet potatoes cook way faster in a microwave than russet or white potatoes (I favor the whites these days because they are 5x easier to clean).

 

[RossMAN]

Kaido is one of the supreme Anandtech contributors, I discovered that (or rediscovered it) last week!

I've known this for a a while, one of the nicest guys here and knows his stuff especially kitchen gadgets :thumbsup:

 

[CraKaJaX]

I've known this for a a while, one of the nicest guys here and knows his stuff especially kitchen gadgets :thumbsup:

He easily has my vote. :thumbsup:

 

[sm625]

The most efficient thing to do is microwave foods for about 33% of the time it says to, and then toast in the toaster oven. Food cooks fast and still comes out crispy.

 

[crashtech]

This summer I put our toaster oven on a rack out in the garage. My wife made an apple pie with it last weekend, and didn't heat up the house at all. Life is good.

 

[Imported]

You people need to post exact model names of what you're using more... I've been looking for over a year and still haven't found one I really like.

Here's mine: http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BOV800XL-1800-Watt-Convection-Toaster/dp/B001L5TVGW

It was a wedding gift but after using it I wish I bought one much sooner.

 

[waggy]

I think step 3 is what he means by "pain". It takes about an hour to bake potatoes at 350°F.

exactly.

 

[DrPizza]

Re: corn on the cob. Microwaved? Egads.

Get one of the stock pots on Amazon that has two sizes of strainers built in - I think they're 12 quarts; the tall strainer goes down to within 2" of the bottom, and the top insert strainer is about 3" deep. Just put 1/2 inch of water in the bottom and you can steam your ears of corn in just a couple of minutes. Cooks it far more evenly than the microwave, and nearly as quickly. (Plus, can cook about 10 or more ears of corn very quickly.) It's also awesome for steaming fresh broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, etc., in the top strainer insert.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Quart-Stainless-Steel-Cooker-Steamer/dp/B00OCU3JNO though I'd recommend a larger and taller one. In addition to being able to steam vegetables quickly in the top basket, the deeper basket is awesome for steaming other things like crab legs. All you need is enough water in the bottom to make steam and not completely boil dry. (And you can also toss some aromatics into the water in the bottom.)

 

[Imported]

I bake my corn on the cob (in the toaster oven now). Sometimes in the husks but mostly wrapped in some aluminum foil with some butter. 30 minutes at 350º.

 

[rh71]

Must try. Is it just cheese, or what toppings do they have? What size is the pizza?

It's the size of a typical wall clock but smaller than a medium from Papa Johns (which I can only eat about 6 max). I can finish it in 1 sitting and it's only a few bucks. They have four cheese, margherita, and a supreme (named something else) which has everything. Love the supreme.

 

[CraKaJaX]

It's the size of a typical wall clock but smaller than a medium from Papa Johns (which I can only about 6 max). I can finish it in 1 sitting and it's only a few bucks. They have four cheese, margharita, and a supreme (named something else) which has everything. Love the supreme.

Hmmm.... I'm going to TJ's on lunch in a few mins. You may have talked me into picking one up to try. I love the frozen chile-lime burgers from there. So fast to cook and so delicious. :thumbsup:

 

[rh71]

TJ's frozen anything is the best. Hash browns, dumplings, soy ice cream sandwiches, palaak paneer (indian - tofu in the green stuff) & naan (bread), and a few of the chinese dishes. My wife subs some in for dinner sometimes. So much more I haven't even tried yet.

 

[Squeetard]

Toaster oven to reheat Pizza or other foods that come out soggy when reheated in the microwave.
Toaster oven for Tuna melts, yum.
Mine gets used 4-5 times a month.

 

[Muse]

Mine gets used 4-5 times a month.

Mine got a place for it today, made room for the new (well, used) Pioneer PD-F1007 301 disk CD player that's in shipment (currently in Virginia). Will USPS ship it by train, truck or air to CA? It's standard shipping. The window they give me is Aug. 6-14.

The counter will have this configuration:

Toaster Oven//Bread maker//Toaster//Blender//Microwave//301CD player

 

[MongGrel]

Baked potatoes I really haven't thought much about in awhile I guess.

Unless I'm twice baking them or something like skins, the microwave has a preset on it for them that works well in about 8 minutes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oh, definitely a pain to bake potatoes.

Step 1: turn oven on.
Step 2: put potato in oven
Step 3: wait.

You can even screw up and reverse the first two steps, and it. still. works.

If baked potatoes are a pain, I cannot imagine how much trouble a bowl of cereal with milk must be in the morning.

:thumbsup: Easier than making rice... which is ridiculously easy to make (even without a rice cooker).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Baked potatoes I really haven't thought much about in awhile I guess.

Unless I'm twice baking them or something like skins, the microwave has a preset on it for them that works well in about 8 minutes.

I can't imagine ever making "baked" potatoes in the microwave. I ALWAYS cook them in the oven and they turn out with nice and crispy skins with tender potato inside.

Sure it takes about an hour but here's a pro tip: Put the potatoes in the oven about 70 minutes before you plan on eating.

I baked potatoes on the BBQ grill outside last Sunday on the top rack at 400 degrees because it was warm out and I didn't want to heat the kitchen up by turning the oven on. Worked great!

 

[MongGrel]

I can't imagine ever making "baked" potatoes in the microwave. I ALWAYS cook them in the oven and they turn out with nice and crispy skins with tender potato inside.

Sure it takes about an hour but here's a pro tip: Put the potatoes in the oven about 70 minutes before you plan on eating.

I baked potatoes on the BBQ grill outside last Sunday on the top rack at 400 degrees because it was warm out and I didn't want to heat the kitchen up by turning the oven on. Worked great!

To each his own I guess, the microwave we have seems to do it well, even just to cook them or make Sweet Potatoes.

You can always put them in the oven later if you want to crisp them or do the other things I've mentioned, I just cook them that way a lot of the time in 8 minutes to make mashed even.

Easy just to cut them in two then and do half baked/potato skins etc and put em on the broiler a short while.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Put them on the BBQ myself when I do fire it up.

 

[Childs]

Oh dude, you need to have a toaster and a microwave.

My kitchen is fairly small. I have a microwave, but I had to buy a rolling cart to put it on so its close to the kitchen. I had the toaster oven on top of it, but then it made the whole thing wobbly. Its not like I warm and toast things in the oven every day, so I doubt I'm getting that much of a energy bill hit. Kinda messed up though using the oven broiler to make toast.

 

[Muse]

My kitchen is fairly small. I have a microwave, but I had to buy a rolling cart to put it on so its close to the kitchen. I had the toaster oven on top of it, but then it made the whole thing wobbly. Its not like I warm and toast things in the oven every day, so I doubt I'm getting that much of a energy bill hit. Kinda messed up though using the oven broiler to make toast.

I had a roommate who whenever he was hungry he would put a couple of slices of the cheap type bread (you get at supermarkets in long plastic bags) in the toaster. I don't know what he put on the toast. I don't remember him cooking anything more intricate (he must have!).

Speaking of rolling carts, I bought a couple of large hardwood cutting boards years ago. I was planning to build a couple of rolling carts, custom made for the cutting boards, keep one for my kitchen, give the other to the GF. We broke up and I still have those expensive cutting boards in the original plastic wrap.