Toaster oven and Microwave are two essential parts of the kitchen. Many people need these devices for their daily food consumption.
Space is a crucial commodity in every home today. We need to have efficient appliances which will take less area on the countertop. Many people have to make the tough decision of choosing between a toaster oven and Microwave. In this article, we are going to cover all the essential aspects of the discussion. You can make an informed decision after going through our comparison. We aim to settle the toaster oven vs microwave debate once and for all.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Overview
In this section, we are going to compare the two kitchen equipment head to head. You can find the subtle differences that they bring to the consumers. We recommend that you try out the toaster oven and microwave yourself. In my use, they have both turned out to be beneficial for cooking at home. Let’s find out which one is better for your house.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Cooking Process
The devices might look quite similar in their product design but are very different when it comes to using. The cooking process used by a toaster oven and microwaves is unique. The toaster oven makes use of convection heat cooking. The infrared radiation generated from heating elements leads to the food getting warmed up. A furnace can have one or more coils. These coils are quite similar to that of a heater. The technology used here is older. The food gets cooked from the outside because of the heat generated. An oven has an insulated interior that captures all the temperature inside the cooking device.
Microwaves, on the other hand, have an entirely different cooking process. Users can enjoy cooking with the help of the microwave radiations or electromagnetic waves. The microwaves resonate with the inner food molecules to heat them. The device technically only heats the moisture content inside the food items. It means your food will come out quite dry. It’s the reason why heating water inside a microwave takes only a few seconds. The cooking process is also applicable to other water content food items.
Dairy products like milk cheese, among others, can cook quite well. The modern Microwave comes with different cooking modes, for example, grilling.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Size
Toaster ovens come in varied sizes depending on your requirements. They are measured depending on the number of loaves of bread they can toast at the same time. It is a common way of measuring. Ideally, a regular countertop toaster oven comes in one cubic feet size. Toaster ovens also come fixed with the stove in many cases. These are, however, obnoxiously huge.
A microwave is measured similarly as a toaster oven. The size ranges from one to two cubic feet. You can purchase the one which is suitable for your cooking needs. Most families go with a mid-size option for their consumption. No one wants to have a bulky machine at their hands.
Microwaves are not regularly found attached to kitchen equipment. They have always been a countertop option.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Energy consumption
Both toaster ovens and microwaves are known to be tremendously energy-efficient these days. The toaster oven, however, uses a little bit more juice in comparison.
It is because of the old technology used in the heating element. The coils can be quite a power-hungry in many situations. If you do a lot of baking, you will find that the preheating process tends to exert a lot of stress on the heating elements. Both the devices usually have a 1000+ watt-hour rating. Meaning you will consume one unit of electricity every hour. You can find the cost of use by multiplying the price of electricity per unit in your area.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Cooking time
The cooking time on the toaster oven can be dramatically slower. The traditional means of heating can lead to slow cooking on your device. The time varies according to the meal you are trying to cook. Preheating the toaster oven can help you prepare your food faster.
Microwave ovens make use of electromagnetic waves. Necessarily it will take a few minutes to cook your food thoroughly. The water molecules end up getting heating all at once. As the food gets cooked from the inside, the process is quicker.
Toaster oven vs Microwave: Important Factors
1. Safety
The safety in a cooking device is a must. Any household must avoid any security issues of your family members. The toaster oven has the apparent problem of heat burns due to the coils being exposed. The stove gets quite hot on the inside and must always be operated with a mitt. In a microwave, there is a safety hazard whenever metal objects are closed. It is always suggested that you do not use any kind of metal utensil inside the Microwave. Always use microwave-safe glass or porcelain utensils for cooking and heating.
2. Food items
Both machines offer unique cooking prowess to users. You can make delicious meals from scratch using a microwave as well as a toaster oven. The toaster oven is beneficial for baking purposes. Pizza, baked potatoes, bread toast, stew, roasted chicken and much more can be made in an oven. A microwave is beneficial for defrosting, reheating, cheesy food, frozen foods, popcorns and much more. They both offer unique usability in the kitchen.
3. Pricing
Microwave and Toaster ovens start around the same price point. As you go higher, you can get more value for your money. These days the average toaster oven will cost your $150. Similar is the case with Microwaves.
Our Top Picks of Toaster oven & Microwave:
After doing some thorough research, we have come up with a few products that are going to help you get cooking delicious food in the kitchen. Let’s take a look at our top picks for a toaster oven and Microwave.
1. Breville the Compact toaster oven
Breville is a famous brand that makes toaster ovens. They have a vast product lineup. The toaster oven is the best fit for the majority of households. The compact nature makes it ideal for countertop kitchen cooking. The intelligent heating elements help to spread the heat inside the oven evenly. There are eight unique cooking functions available on the device.
These can be utilized for toasting, roasting, baking, bagels, pizza, broiling, reheat, and much more. The easy to use door handle keeps you safe from getting burnt. The digital display adds a modern touch to this age-old technology. We recommend this toaster oven for small to medium size families. It will cook four toasts at once and a 12-inch pizza at home.
2. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave
Toshiba is a renowned electronics manufacturer. Their microwave devices are quite popular around the world. The model showcased here adds depth to their product lineup. It is an affordable device that will help you get cooking in no time. Instant food is cooked effortlessly on these devices. It comes in stainless steel and a black color finish.
There are pre-programmed buttons for popular food options. It includes dishes like pizza, veggies, potatoes, rice, and much more. You can also make instant noodles within a few seconds. It also helps you make popcorn and defrost frozen food. The 1100 watt microwave comes in a 1.2 cubic feet size. We recommend it to all of our readers.
Conclusion:
Toaster ovens and microwaves are quite efficient in their use. You need both to have a broad palette of options. In this article, we uncovered the critical differences between the two devices. We hope that you were able to understand how they can be unique in usage. We also mentioned our top picks so you can easily make a decision. The devices are tried and tested. They have received positive reviews throughout the world.
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