Elite Gourmet ETO449X 4-Slice Toaster Oven

Overview

Slide the rack into a compact countertop oven that handles toast, a small pizza and open-faced sandwiches without taking over the counter. A knob sets the temperature and a separate dial runs the timer, so nothing needs a manual to operate. The door drops down on a tempered glass panel with a cool-touch handle, and the included bake pan and wire rack rest on the single shelf position.

Quartz elements reach heat quickly, and the dial controls keep the whole routine to two turns, which suits a dorm room, an office break area or a small apartment kitchen. The interior is sized for personal portions, so anyone cooking for a household will run the oven in batches.

Who it's for

A spare counter and a short menu of toast, bagels and small pizzas suit this oven, and the dials make it easy for a first-time user. Skip it when the cooking list includes a whole chicken, a full tray of vegetables or meals for a family, because the chamber and the single shelf cannot spread that out.

Pros and cons

Performance notes

Quartz tubes radiate heat straight onto the food, so the top of a slice or a small pizza browns while the timer counts down. Because the chamber is small and the shelf has one position, food close to the elements colors faster, and thicker items need the dial turned lower for longer. The knob thermostat cycles on and off to hold the set temperature rather than holding a steady glow.

Specifications