Turbo oven toaster griller is pure convection oven: hot air is blown around the oven to cook the food. It’s like using a hair dryer to cook.
Popular brands in turbo oven toaster griller include Sunpentown, Aroma and Farberware.
How turbo oven toaster griller work
Turbo ovens don’t look like normal ovens. They look like a goldfish bowl. The food is placed in the bowl and the oven top is used to cover the bowl. The heater and fan are in the oven top.
The heating elements are hidden and do not radiate heat directly on to the food. This means even-cooking, the top of the food will not be burned.
The food is normally placed on a grill to allow hot air to circulate underneath. This also allows fat and grease to drip off when cooking meat. Lining the bottom with aluminum foil makes cleanup easier.
Some oven toaster grillers are hybrids, combining halogen and infra-red with the turbo oven.
Advantages of turbo oven toaster griller
While not as widely used as microwave or toaster ovens, turbo ovens do have significant advantages.
No need to preheat the oven.
Glass bowl is easy to clean.
Cooking progress is easily monitored through the glass bowl.
Versatile. Can be used for anything a normal oven is used for, including baking cakes.
Can be used as a steamer.
Oven is hot enough to crisp skin and meat. Most can reach 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Glass bowl can be used to serve food directly to the table.
Disadvantages of turbo oven toaster griller
Turbo oven toaster griller does have issues that need to be considered.
Grease can build up in the oven top and fan, like in a cooker hood. This is difficult to clean, like in any convection oven.
The glass bowl is not as rugged as a steel oven. Plastic is sometimes used instead of glass but plastic bowls can break too.
How to choose a turbo oven toaster griller
Glass bowls last longer than plastic and don’t discolor from the heat. The only issue is that they break more easily if dropped. Some models use glass bowls from well-known brands such as Pyrex (Corning) and Arcopal.
Most turbo ovens will come with a low grill and a high grill, to allow two levels of food to be cooked at the same time.
A combination stand/handle is provided with some models, useful to keep the hot bowl off the kitchen counter.
Turbo oven bowls can reach 10 to 12 quarts, with diameters of 12 to 14 inches. Some have extender rings: glass collars to extend the height of the bowl when cooking large food items.
Maximum power ranges from 1300 to 1500 watts, about the same as toaster ovens. Controls are like those on toaster ovens: temperature, timer.
Turbo oven toaster griller versus conventional oven toaster griller
Anyone considering a toaster oven should take a look at turbo ovens. Their many unique advantages make them a good choice for home use.
Slow cookers should also be considered.
How to Choose a Countertop Convection Oven
Considering a countertop convection oven? Think about countertop oven size, desired features, capacity of the convection rotisserie, and cons before buying.
Countertop ovens are a popular item. Their versatility and multiple-features offer an inexpensive alternative to gas ovens, extra help for holiday baking, relief from a hot kitchen, and a quick way to broil steaks and chops. Some also offer the ability to make homemade rotisserie chickens and roasts. Before deciding which countertop convection oven to buy, consider family size, what the oven will be used for, and which features will actually fulfill those needs.
Large Countertop Convection Oven or Small Convection Oven Considerations
Countertop convection ovens come in different sizes. Regardless of available space, there is a convection oven that fits. Begin by deciding where the countertop oven will go, then measure that space and use it as a guide when choosing which oven to buy.
Large countertop convection ovens can take up a lot of space. For example, a Hamilton Beach convection oven (31197R) is 21-inches long, 18.7-inches wide, and 15.5-inches high. To fit underneath the cabinets, the space needs to measure at least 16-inches high. If less space is available, consider buying a small convection oven like a Black & Decker CTO7100B (13.8-inches high) or a Delonghi RO258 (10.4-inches high).
Another consideration is the internal measurements of the oven. While toaster-oven bakeware is available from various retailers, choosing between a large countertop convection oven and a small convection oven depends on the size of the family, and how often the oven is used.
Features of Countertop Ovens: Toaster, Broiler, Roaster, or Convection Rotisserie
For those with multiple chemical sensitivity or a natural gas allergy, an electric oven is essential. For others Thanksgiving or Christmas side dishes can bake in a countertop oven at the same time the turkey, ham, or prime rib is in a regular oven. Some cooks are attracted to the settings for toaster, broiler, or convection rotisserie. Details are important; so compare differences between brands and models.
When seeking a basic countertop convection oven that functions like a normal oven, but on a smaller scale, most brands and models do an adequate job. If seeking additional capabilities like slow baking, a keep-warm cycle, or defrost capability (Delonghi RO2058), consider why a convection oven is needed, and whether a particular model can fulfill those needs.
A convection rotisserie is a popular feature; however, the size of the rotisserie differs between ovens. For example, both the Delonghi and Black & Decker ovens come with a convection rotisserie; however, they can only cook a well-tied chicken that weighs less than 3-lbs, or a tiny roast. In comparison, the Hamilton Beach large countertop convection oven with rotisserie (31197R) handles a 5-lb chicken or a large roast.
Seek Out Countertop Convection Oven Reviews for Negative Feedback
After an individual has measured, considered family size, countertop oven use, and whether the considered brand and model will fill the family’s needs, the next step is to seek out positive and negative feedback from convection oven reviews.
If looking for a small convection oven, a Delonghi convection rotisserie is a good choice. However, reviews warn about the potential for the bake pan to spill. The rack guides sit at the front and back sides of the oven. The bake pan can tip when pulling out the rack. Manual dials are also confusing. They come with numeric markings and additional marks in-between, rather than temperature. While the versatility allows the temperature to be adjusted from warm to broil, the temperature itself is not precise.
What makes the Black & Decker convection oven different is a 120-minute digital timer and LCD display that includes one-touch operations for popular foods and functions. Most reviews complained about the size of the rotisserie, and said game hens were a better size. They were happy with the way it baked: heating up leftovers, casseroles, general baking, and cooking frozen foods like pizza and chicken nuggets were recommended.
The Hamilton Beach large countertop convection oven earned a customer satisfaction rating of 4.5 stars, but the chrome-front 3199XR model comes without a rotisserie. Some customers were disappointed that a 9×13 pan wouldn’t fit. Other drawbacks are a short power cord, no pre-heat mode, and low quality bakeware. The glass door also gets hot, so place it where little ones can’t reach.
Making the Right Choice When Buying a Countertop Convection Oven
Countertop convection ovens are a good, alternative cooking option, with prices varying between $80 and $150 depending on size, features, and convection rotisserie capacity. Seeking out countertop oven specifications, measuring available kitchen space, and thinking about what the oven will be used for will help the cook decide which brand and model to buy. Seeking out reviews and negative feedback also helps to learn about the drawbacks so the best choice can be made.
