Many home cooks are stocking their kitchens with toaster ovens for a myriad of reasons. But some are hesitant due to what appear to be inherent security issues. Can you safely use this convenient appliance in your kitchen, or should you settle for mediocre food prepared in a microwave oven just to avoid the possibility of injury?
The number one toaster oven safety concern is always excessive heat which can cause burns. This is, after all, a true oven that uses heat rather than microwave to cook food. Spend some time reading customer reviews and you will no doubt enjoy horrific war stories in which the author suffers horrific burns at the hands of the evil toaster oven. Okay, for every 1 of those reviews, you’ll probably find 100 people (or more, depending on the model) who love their toaster oven and have never been tortured by it. So how do most users escape injury on a daily basis with such a dangerous appliance lurking in their kitchen?
Most toaster oven safety comes down to good old-fashioned common sense. It’s hot. Don’t touch it without oven mitts. Many models come with stay-cool handles for safety, but it’s still a good idea to wear safety gloves when you come into contact with the oven, in case you accidentally touch other parts that don’t stay cool to the touch. Beyond this simple tip, there are things you can keep in mind when shopping for a toaster oven to lower your risk of burn injuries.
The insulation keeps the heat in the oven (where it belongs). This will prevent the external parts from getting too hot. However, well-insulated models cost more. In general, any model under $100 will have nothing more than a thin layer of steel between the heating elements and the outside world. Unfortunately, there’s a big difference between a $35 toaster oven and one that costs $250.
The second risk related to burns involves food or cooking catching fire. Yes, it is true that food left in a toaster oven for too long can catch fire. But before you dismiss this handy appliance as too dangerous, remember that the same applies to your normal full-size oven. You can’t cook food indefinitely and hope it doesn’t catch on fire. If you tend to be a bit forgetful, look for a model with an automatic shutoff at the end of the cooking cycle.
That crumb tray at the bottom of your new oven isn’t there by mistake. It must be cleaned periodically to avoid the risk of fire. It’s a good idea to empty the crumb tray after each use to ensure it never gets too full.
My final safety tip is one that applies to all of your kitchen appliances that rely on electricity. Plug it into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. There will inevitably be liquids in your kitchen at some point and using a GFCI outlet will minimize the risk of serious or fatal electrical shock.
To find the best and safest toaster oven, visit Toaster Oven Reviews. You’ll find thousands of reviews, as well as a handy buying guide to help you along the way.