Ever feel like your kitchen is just a little too small for all your cooking dreams? Maybe you love baking cookies but don’t have room for a giant oven, or perhaps you just need a quick way to heat up leftovers without firing up the whole house. That’s where the magic of a small oven comes in!
Choosing the right small oven can be a bit tricky. There are so many different kinds, and it’s hard to know which one will fit your needs and your counter space. You want something that cooks well, is easy to use, and doesn’t take up all your precious kitchen real estate. It’s a common problem for many home cooks!
But don’t worry! This post is here to help. We’ll explore what makes a small oven a great choice and guide you through the important things to look for. By the end, you’ll feel much more confident about finding the perfect small oven for your kitchen. Let’s dive in and discover how a little oven can make a big difference!
Our Top 5 Small Oven Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Small Oven Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
The BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven is a versatile kitchen helper. It can bake, broil, toast, air fry, and keep food warm. This oven is great for making all sorts of meals, from crispy fries to delicious pizzas and perfectly toasted bread.
What We Like:
- It has 5 handy cooking functions: Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm.
- You can cook healthier meals with little to no oil thanks to its advanced air frying technology.
- EvenToast technology makes sure your toast is evenly browned without any burnt spots.
- It’s compact, so it won’t take up much counter space, but it’s still big enough for a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread.
- It comes with a 30-minute timer for easy cooking and includes useful accessories like a crumb tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 30-minute timer might not be long enough for some longer cooking recipes.
- While it fits a 9-inch pizza, larger pizzas might be a tight squeeze or not fit at all.
This oven offers a lot of cooking options in one appliance. It’s a good choice for busy kitchens needing a reliable and multi-talented countertop oven.
2. Elite Gourmet ETO236 Personal Compact 2 Slice Countertop Toaster Oven with 15 Minute Timer & Adjustable Temperature
Rating: 9.4/10
The Elite Gourmet ETO236 Personal Compact 2 Slice Countertop Toaster Oven is a handy kitchen gadget for small spaces. It’s perfect for quick meals and snacks. This little oven bakes, broils, and toasts your food just right.
What We Like:
- It’s small and saves counter space.
- The 15-minute timer is great for fast snacks.
- You can set the temperature from 200F to 450F.
- It has 650 watts of power for even cooking.
- It comes with a non-stick pan and a wire rack.
What Could Be Improved:
- The timer only goes up to 15 minutes, which might not be enough for some recipes.
- It only fits two slices of toast at a time.
This toaster oven is a good option for anyone needing a compact and easy-to-use appliance for simple cooking tasks. It makes preparing snacks and small meals a breeze.
3. Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Convection Oven
Rating: 9.2/10
The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a top-notch countertop oven that does it all. It cooks, air fries, and dehydrates, making it a super handy addition to any kitchen. Its smart technology ensures your food cooks perfectly every time.
What We Like:
- The Element iQ System uses smart algorithms and independent quartz elements to give you perfect cooking results. It eliminates cold spots and makes sure the power goes where it’s needed.
- Super convection technology cooks food up to 30% faster. It blows a lot of hot air around for quick and even cooking.
- It has 13 cooking functions, so you can do almost anything: toast, bake, roast, broil, make pizza, air fry, dehydrate, and even slow cook!
- The extra-large capacity means you can fit a lot of food inside, like a 14-pound turkey or a 9×13 inch pan.
- The interior oven light helps you see your food without opening the oven door.
- The LCD display makes it easy to choose your cooking settings and see how long is left.
- It comes with useful accessories like a pizza pan, oven racks, a broil rack, and a mesh basket.
What Could Be Improved:
- The oven takes up a good amount of counter space due to its large capacity.
- The price point is higher than some basic toasters or air fryers.
This Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a fantastic all-in-one appliance. It replaces many other kitchen gadgets and makes cooking easier and faster.
4. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Natural Convection
Rating: 9.0/10
Meet the BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Natural Convection, Stainless Steel, TO1760SS (TO1760SST-1). This handy appliance is ready to help you whip up delicious meals and snacks without heating up your big oven. It’s compact enough for any kitchen counter but big enough to handle a variety of cooking tasks. From toasting your morning bread to baking a mini pizza, this toaster oven does it all.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 helper: toast, bake, broil, and keep food warm.
- The EvenToast Technology makes sure your food cooks evenly.
- It toasts up to 4 slices of bread or fits a 9-inch pizza.
- The 30-minute timer with a stay-on option is super handy for longer cooking.
- A ready light and sound tell you when your food is done.
- Its sleek stainless steel design looks great and saves space.
- The clear glass door lets you watch your food as it cooks.
- Cleanup is a breeze thanks to the removable crumb tray, bake pan, and broil rack.
What Could Be Improved:
- Natural convection can sometimes be slower than forced convection.
- The interior size might be limiting for larger baking dishes or multiple items.
This BLACK+DECKER toaster oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen for quick and easy cooking. It offers great versatility and makes cleanup simple.
5. Ninja Flip Toaster Oven&Air Fryer
Rating: 8.7/10
Tired of a cluttered kitchen? The Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer is here to save the day! This 8-in-1 kitchen powerhouse not only cooks your favorite meals but also cleverly flips up and away, giving you back valuable counter space. With its stainless steel finish and 1800 watts of power, it’s built to handle everything from crispy fries to perfectly baked cookies.
What We Like:
- It saves a ton of space by flipping up against your backsplash.
- The OvenCrisp Technology makes food crispy and evenly cooked.
- It can do 8 different cooking jobs: air fry, roast, broil, bake, make pizza, toast, toast bagels, and dehydrate.
- You can cook a good amount of food, like 4 lbs of ingredients or a 12-inch pizza.
- It cooks family meals fast, feeding up to 4 people in about 20 minutes.
- It uses less energy than a big oven.
- You can air fry food with much less fat.
- It has a wide temperature range for all your cooking needs.
- Cooking is much faster thanks to the circulating hot air.
- It comes with all the accessories you need: air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, and crumb tray.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s compact for storage, the actual cooking capacity might be a bit small for very large families or entertaining.
- Some users might find the initial learning curve for the 8 different functions a little steep.
This Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer is a smart addition to any kitchen, especially if you value space and versatility. It’s a fantastic way to get delicious, quick meals without the hassle.
The Smart Shopper’s Guide: Finding Your Perfect Small Oven
Small ovens are handy kitchen helpers. They cook, bake, and toast. They are great for small kitchens or for extra cooking space. This guide helps you pick the best one.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a small oven, check these important things.
Size Matters
- Capacity: How much food fits inside? Look at the oven’s cubic feet or liters. A small oven might hold a 9×13 inch pan. Some are big enough for a small pizza.
- External Dimensions: Where will you put it? Measure your counter space. Make sure the oven fits without blocking anything.
Cooking Power
- Wattage: More watts mean faster cooking. Most small ovens have between 1000 and 1800 watts. Higher wattage is good for toasting and broiling.
- Temperature Range: What temperatures can it reach? Most go up to 450°F (230°C). Some go higher. This helps you bake and roast.
- Cooking Functions: What can it do?
- Bake: For cakes, cookies, and casseroles.
- Broil: For browning and melting cheese.
- Toast: For bread and bagels.
- Convection: A fan circulates hot air. This cooks food faster and more evenly. It’s a great feature.
- Rotisserie: Some models have a spit for roasting chicken.
Ease of Use
- Controls: Are they easy to understand? Dials are simple. Digital displays can be fancy.
- Timer: A timer helps you not burn your food. Some have auto shut-off.
- Interior Light: You can see your food cooking. This helps prevent burning.
- Ease of Cleaning: Non-stick interiors make cleaning easier. Removable crumb trays catch messes.
Important Materials
The materials used affect how well your oven works and how long it lasts.
- Exterior: Stainless steel looks nice and is durable. It resists rust. Plastic exteriors are cheaper but can scratch.
- Interior: Non-stick coatings make cleaning simple. Stainless steel interiors are also good.
- Door: A glass door lets you watch your food. Look for a door that stays cool to the touch.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a small oven better, while others make it worse.
Quality Boosters
- Convection Fan: This is a big plus. It cooks food evenly.
- Even Heating: Good insulation and heating elements help.
- Durable Build: Sturdy construction means it will last longer.
- Good Reviews: See what other people say about the oven.
Quality Reducers
- Hot Spots: Some ovens cook unevenly. You might have to turn food around.
- Flimsy Parts: Cheap plastic or thin metal can break easily.
- Poor Temperature Control: The oven might not reach the right temperature.
User Experience and Use Cases
Who uses small ovens and why?
- Small Kitchens: If you have limited counter space, a small oven is perfect.
- Apartments or Dorm Rooms: These are great for students or renters.
- Extra Cooking Space: When your main oven is full, a small oven helps.
- Quick Meals: Toasting bagels or reheating pizza is fast.
- Specific Tasks: Baking a few cookies or roasting a small chicken is easy.
- Seniors: Simple controls and easy access can be helpful.
Small ovens offer convenience. They save energy for small meals. They fit almost anywhere. Choose wisely, and your small oven will become a favorite kitchen tool.
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Ovens
Here are answers to common questions about small ovens.
Q: What is the main difference between a toaster oven and a small oven?
A: They are very similar! The term “small oven” is often used for toaster ovens. Some small ovens are a bit bigger and have more cooking functions.
Q: How much counter space does a small oven need?
A: It depends on the oven. Check the product’s dimensions. Most need about 1 to 2 feet of space. Also, leave room for ventilation.
Q: Can a small oven bake a cake?
A: Yes, many small ovens can bake a cake. Check the oven’s capacity. Make sure your cake pan fits inside.
Q: Is a convection setting important for a small oven?
A: It’s a great feature. Convection helps food cook faster and more evenly. It makes things crispy.
Q: How do I clean a small oven?
A: Unplug the oven first. Wipe the inside with a damp cloth. Use soap for tough spots. Remove the crumb tray and wash it.
Q: Are small ovens energy efficient?
A: Yes, for small meals, they use less energy than a big oven. They heat up faster too.
Q: What is the average price of a small oven?
A: Prices range from $30 to $150 or more. The price depends on size, features, and brand.
Q: Can I put aluminum foil in a small oven?
A: Yes, you can usually use aluminum foil. Do not let it touch the heating elements. It could cause a fire.
Q: How long does a small oven usually last?
A: With good care, a small oven can last 5 to 10 years. Regular cleaning helps it last longer.
Q: What is the best small oven for a beginner?
A: Look for one with simple controls, a timer, and a few basic cooking functions like bake and toast. A convection fan is a nice bonus.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.