And much like the ceramic cookware investigation, we still had a challenging time confirming the specific materials used in the various air fryers as well. Because most ceramic cookware brands use nanotechnology to coat the surfaces, we could only assume this was happening here too. While extremely effective at air frying fries, this oven only toasted our bread evenly on one side and did not prove to be particularly reliable when used for baking. Keep in mind that the oven will heat for a maximum of 25 minutes, so it’s perfect for many prepared frozen foods, but for longer bakes you’ll have to restart it. Reviewers noted that the pan is difficult to clean and rusts easily. We suggest covering it with a fitted layer of foil before placing food on it.
But in all our research and , we didn’t see consistent correlations between element type and either price or performance. For instance, our budget pick, the Hamilton Beach, has the same quartz elements as the Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven, which costs more than $200. And the Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven we tested, which normally costs over $700, uses Calrod elements, which are typically found in cheaper models. So, it’s not always worth paying more for certain elements, as performance varies with every oven. It’s not the model for anyone who is looking for a replacement for their full size oven.
Our professional product testers are dedicated culinarians with an eye for function and detail. They prioritize unbiased and rigorous testing to give the most precise and thorough results. Some models have a stand knob-style dial to dictate time or temperature. These can provide an excellent visual range, but it can sometimes be challenging to get a precise temperature. Others have buttons or digital dials that give a clear readout of the time or temperature but can involve a lot more button pushing to get to the desired setting.
But we think that’s a forgivable drawback considering the low price. This oven is much shorter than your standard toaster oven, coming in at just 7.6 inches tall. Plus, you can still fit a 13 x 13 sheet pan in there, so there’s still a lot of things you can cook on the oven.
To adjust between the oven and toast setting, use the slide placed on the top right corner of the appliance. The Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Sure Crisp Toaster Oven is considerably smaller and less expensive than the other models we tested. It doesn’t sport electronic controls or a lot of fancy features and settings. While it’s baking performance was disappointing and it’s not large enough to roast a chicken, it shines at toasting and does a credible job of air frying.
This exposes more than two-thirds of the interior oven, much like an outdoor BBQ grill. We look for a crumb tray that slides out smoothly and that is easily accessible. For toaster ovens, most have a non-stick interior for easier cleaning.
The material of the baking/drip pan is a hot-dip aluminum coated steel plate. Avoid choosing personal care products with “fluoro” or “perfluoro” on the ingredient list. Products sold by a company to Europe may be different than products sold to the United States in a similar product line. Some brands did not use PFAS on food contact surfaces but instead used them on the side of the inside walls instead.
We purchased the hamilton beach toaster oven Countertop Oven With Convection and Rotisserie 31104D so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Donna Currie is a food writer and blogger specializing in recipes and kitchen gadgets.
I need one that doesn’t off-gas, doesn’t produce chemical smells, doesn’t release particulates and won’t break in a week. So far, every one of these has issues with some or all of these. Ceramic isn’t as safe and forget about the hamilton beach toaster with coatings. Anyone buy a certain brand that was safe, cooked well, lasted a long time, and has accessories included?
During my test sessions, it could easily fit up to 4 slices of artisan bread or a 9” pizza. I do not know about you, but that was more than sufficient to handle the needs of my family. Sharon Franke is a journalist who specializes in testing and writing about kitchen equipment. A thirty-year veteran of the Good Housekeeping Institute, Sharon also worked as a professional chef in New York City restaurants for seven years.