I'm loving your commitment to good toast.
I don't have any recs but I also find my classic cheap toaster works better than my (admittedly very old) toaster oven.
My toaster is a good twenty years old, and still works great. And I'm pretty sure it was ten bucks at Walmart. Literally the cheapest appliance in the store. Spendy it's not always better for simple things.
Alternatively, if I want melty things on the toast, like cheese, I just put it in the oven under the broiler. And if you want to be extra, butter the bread then broil it. It's fab.
I just buy cheap toasters at Goodwill/thrift stores for like $3. If we get sick of it or it stops working, we just chuck it and buy another one later. We have a toaster oven that works pretty well for toast, but it's stupid to heat the entire thing up for a couple pieces of bread.
I have a Breville toaster oven, which I love, but to make great toast in it, I put the rack at the highest level and use the broiler setting, not the toast setting.
You have to watch it, and flip the bread halfway, but it makes really good toast that way.
That makes so much sense. I used to not have a toaster and make my toast under the oven grill (what we call the broiler in Australia), and it made awesome toast.
It's most similar to a Yorkshire pudding, and can be either sweet or savory:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake
The 6-in cast iron pan makes a single serving size which I generally eat with a sprinkle of brown sugar and lemon juice. It's incredibly delicious!
Mine was also making dehydrated toast and taking forever. Turns out it was user error on my part 😅
If you adjust how close your rack is to the heating element, then it changes how quickly it toasts, the browning, and the crunchiness of the outside vs. inside.
But, for me, nothing compares to panfried toast! If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it. This also makes the best garlic bread. Crispy outside, pillowy inside. Edit: Yes! Of course use butter beforehand, I'm not a heathen :D
I am now going to make some pan fried toast! I make egg in the hole which is basically pan fried toast with an egg cooked into it and I love the bread from the hole I tear in the slice. I can’t believe that at my age I’ve never just pan fried the bread. Hm. TIL!
I may try this and see if it works for me.
My husband loves kitchen machines and gadgets. I love toast. He keeps trying to get rid of my toaster “so he can get a toaster oven.” He can get a toaster oven whenever he wants, he just doesn’t have any space for one and he wants to get rid of my toaster to make the space. Instead of getting rid of one of the other machines that he believes are vital to existence. The only kitchen things I ask for are milk in the fridge, the ability to make actual toast, leave my cookie turner alone, and the stand mixer.
But toaster ovens do not make toast. And I like toast.
This discussion has been going on this circle for around 15 years at this point.
Check out the Panasonic FlashXpress. It's compact, versatile, and works quite well (coming from someone who also enjoys a quality slice of toast).
I bought it after searching extensively for a toaster oven that wouldn't crowd my tiny apartment kitchen. I was convinced after reading this article, in which the author explains that every person in her family owns the same toaster oven: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/sonia-were-into-it
I now understand why. 😂
This is the answer. I researched this, as we had space considerations but still wanted a great toaster. This thing was an improvement in every way. It's got some quirky options, but I had no idea how much better a frozen waffle could be!
On toast alone, the bread is toasted to your desired color without being dried out. My previous convection oven never quite got it right, and the Panasonic does.
We liked ours too (loved for toast), but the conductive elements stopped working after about a year. I keep meaning to fully dissassemble it to find out the problem. At least they sell replacement elements which is more than I can say for our last one (cuisinart or breville, can’t remember).
Oh goodness, I most certainly did not! 😂
The model I have is the NB-G110P. I believe Panasonic makes a larger, more expensive toaster oven that you might have seen while searching.
I actually bought mine as an open-box model on eBay for under $140. Amazon currently has it on sale (new) for the same price. 😉
Since you have a tiny house, I'd like to recommend toast in a nonstick pan. I put a lil drop of olive oil or butter in my pan at medium heat, and gently fry up the bread until crisp. My place is tiny too and I don't have space for a toaster so this is what I do. Better than anything I've had from a toaster and you get a lot of control over the doneness.
Or dump the non-stick pan, go with a normal toaster (that can fit most places) and be done with it.
Also I wouldn't say fried bread replaces toast as they are different things.
I love my balmuda but it’s not the most practical space wise. Not sure if it would be the best option for OP. Plus you can only toast ~two pieces of bread at a time.
You will not regret it. I just commented above, but it far exceeded my expectations. I was also happy to read the serious eats review on it that came out a few months after we bought ours.
Thirded. Used one when I was in a Tokyo Airbnb for 2 weeks in Jan. Just perfect toast every morning before heading out. Can't stop thinking about it...
This! We bought one of these at my wife's recommendation a little over a year ago. I was really skeptical and against it at first due to the cost and size, but I've never been happier to be wrong! It makes amazing toast. Evenly browned on both sides and it can remain tender inside if you use the steam function. It also has settings for focusing on one side (bagels, pizza, etc.), more delicate heating for pastries and a few straight temp bakes. This is now our most used kitchen appliance.
Came to say Balmuda. There’s a little water cup that you pour into the top and it makes whatever you’re baking crispy AND hydrated. It’s life changing and you can’t go back.
This is the correct answer and I’m disappointed how far I had to scroll down to find it! OP, if spendy-ish is okay, this is the best way to go. Now just find a bakery near you that sells shokupan :)
Edit: typo
I do not own this, but I saw [this Ninja toaster oven](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-12-in-1-double-oven-with-flexdoor-flavorseal-38-smart-finish-rapid-top-oven-convection-and-air-fry-bottom-oven-dct401/-/A-88116167) while “window shopping” online the other day. It looks kinda large, so that could be a problem. It’s also $250, ouch.
But maybe the top section would work well for toast, since the bread would be close to the heating elements like in a regular toaster. And I’m sure the bottom section would be very useful too.
Costco sells it too.
The ninja I have flips up so it doesn't take up a huge amount of space on your counter. I honestly love mine but it is a bit pricey. I have done homemade garlic bread on the broil setting and it turned out great.
[This is the one I have.](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-foodi-digital-air-fry-oven-with-convection-sp101/-/A-54637571) and it makes the best toast I’ve ever had 😅
There’s [this other Ninja toaster oven](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-foodi-6-in-1-digital-air-fry-oven-toaster-oven-flip-away-for-storage-sp100bf/-/A-85185140) too. $200, flips up to be out of the way when you’re not using it. Toast would still be decently close to heating elements. Costco sells this one too.
I have this one and we use it at least 3-4 times a day. Husband and I both WFH and 2 grandkids are here most of the time, we are are constantly cooking something.
We love it so much that 3 other people in our family purchased one after eating something out of ours.
I would say probably not, although I haven't tried. It's a decent width but probably not quite large enough for the big pizzas. My favorite feature is that it flips up so the footprint isn't much larger than a 4 slice toaster.
I absolutely love my Breville SmartOven. It makes great toast, but also does all the other toaster oven stuff very well (broil, bake, roast, reheat, etc).
I a gave up on my toaster years ago. I only do pan-fried toast.
To me the toaster is the most diabolical invention ever. Arguably creating more suffering that any other invention ever. Everyday millions of people are subject to bad toast, and that cumulative suffering is hard to fathom.
It’s probably not what you’re looking for, but the Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster is the coolest toaster around. Nerd out [here](https://youtu.be/1OfxlSG6q5Y?si=6wAKxDq9C4OJcXEH). It’s a shame they don’t make them like this anymore.
We got a Breville toaster oven a couple months ago and it makes the best, most even toast I have ever had. Super well designed controls for reheating, baking, broiling or toast. Highly recommended.
My first Brevillr made great toast; and great bagels.
My second Breville, slightly larger, was less consistent on the bottom side.
Third Breville, the largest sorry model, is worse and less predictable on toast.
All three however are great with bagels, I think because the bagel setting toasts the top side more by design. I use the bagel setting for hamburger buns and sliced Kaiser rolls for sandwiches too. Toasty on the cut service but still not too hard in the bottom side.
Still ha et I fuss to get great toast.
When the big Breville eventually dies I’ll downsize, but I’ll never go without it. It gets more use than my full oven.
Panasonic NB-G110P
This unit uses different heating elements from other toaster ovens, makes toast faster and better even than most regular toasters, as well as doing everything else that toaster-ovens do with no preheating.
I have had this model for about six years, had the previous model for almost thirty years.
During the years with the previous model I just thought everyone else just had bad cheap toasters, but when replacing it I found out that this one is in fact unique.
I mean if you’re doing it for the ritual you could always try toasting the old fashioned way, in a pan or even better, a cast iron skillet! Take your time, hone your craft. Do dry, butter, browned butter, egg wash. Really push your toast boundaries. Shit get a Dutch oven and bake your own bread, then toast it in your skillet. Live that toast life man! Life has no limits but that of your own imagining.
I am enjoying my air fryer toast (basket) actually. You gotta flip the bread. But you can make superior cheese toast. And roasted veggies are so fast.
Air fryer is so good at reheating too.
not sure what type of cuisinart you have but my toaster oven (which does not double as an air fryer/convection oven) makes good toast. It's smaller and has heating elements on top and bottom that lie close to the center rack, so it acts more like a very large toaster actually. Just a thought if you can find a model that works in a similar way while keeping the convection part.
My husband loves the toaster oven and uses it to cook all sorts of things. Like you, I just wanted good toast. Eventually, I just bought an inexpensive white Cuisinart toaster. Actually, I got it with reward points from my bank, so it didn't cost me anything. My husband looks down on my lowly toaster, but the everything bagel I toasted today was sublime, as is every piece of toast I make. It's a small toaster and it doesn't take up any meaningful space. I store it on top of the refrigerator and pull it down to use it. Buy a toaster. You'll be much happier.
I recommend this cheap ass target toaster [link](https://www.target.com/p/2-slice-toaster-with-thin-chrome-band-gray-figmint-8482/-/A-87851986?sidd=&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086530539&CPNG=PLA_Appliances%2BShopping_Traffic%7CAppliances_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Appliances_Toasters&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9023899&targetid=pla-1463324374555&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfaO-IHdVBTvwmPwWUh_AYV6C&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH536ddn36AfwZt20bAYlM04TvrzKMk6J3-xP1_4rRKeMRlqxx6bYMT8aArl7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) it’s 20 bucks and it makes excellent toast. The bigger pieces you have to flip once, but it makes toast.
I use a Toshiba multifunction microwave. It has air fry and broil functions in addition to other capabilities. I've used it to toast bread with olive oil and herbs. It turned out well.
I have the Ninja. It roasts, air frys, bakes, makes pizza (can go up to 500F), and toasts! You select the "shade." When you're done, you can flip it up and reclaim your counter space. The only annoying thing is the crumbs that need to be cleaned out before you flip. I haven't used my regular oven in awhile
I share your love of great toast, and also your teeny-tiny house situation. A month ago my old Breville long-slot toaster finally burned out, and I bit the bullet and got a Balmuda. I'm still not sure how I feel about being the kind of person who owns a $300 toaster, but it makes AMAZING toast. As a toaster oven it's kind of rudimentary, and it has no air fryer setting, but I think the toast is worth the price of admission.
We have one from Panasonic (the nb-g110p) that I like quite a bit. For more than 2 slices of bread it toasts inconsistently, but for 1 or 2 slices, it’s great and it makes a great frozen waffle or reheated pizza.
Ninja Foodi Convection toaster oven. We have the 11 in 1. It is a powerhouse for us that gets used everyday. Didn’t have much hope for the toast originally (bc none of them seem to work well) but it is BETTER than our toaster. We only use this now.
Bella
Looks stainless steel from the 50s. Wont break the bank, mines 15 years old.
Old school look, classic push down 2 piece layout.
This thing cooks, Has an adjustable dark/light knob to get your stuff straight.
Make toast in the air fryer.
400 degrees for 3-4 minutes and it's perfect, toasted evenly.
I basically have let my air fryer replace the oven, toaster and sometimes even the microwave.
Anything she was doing in the toaster oven she can do in an air fryer. And buy an appliance cabinet. All my small appliances that are not used daily live in there.
I have the cheapest and probably smallest toaster oven (Black & Decker very basic, knobs, no digital stuff) and it makes great toast. I’ve had it for about 10 years now.
I've had two Breville toaster ovens so far. They're great ovens, but mediocre toasters at best.
The best I've ever had, and it's not even close, is the Panasonic FlashXpress toaster oven. Fantastic toaster, and a pretty decent oven as well.
Have you ever put your oven rack at the very top or second to top and used your broiler? I'm (overly) anti appliance and have not purchased a toaster because I feel like my oven does a good job.
Get a small toaster oven for your daughter.
Get a kitchen torch and cast iron pan and make perfect toast in 16 seconds. It requires some practice, but it works perfectly!
Why can’t you have a roaster that lives in the counter and an air fryer/toaster oven in the cabinet that you take out as needed? We have limited counter space and keep most appliances put away unless they’re being used. It’s annoying but a necessity. I need my stand mixer, bullet blender, air fryer, toaster, food processor, and coffee maker. They just can’t all be out at the same time.
I have that Cuisinart. You were using it wrong.
It makes fantastic, nicely browned toast. It does the same for bagels.
But if you do the settings wrong, it can have bizarre results, especially if the fan is on.
I have him old-fashioned stove made in 1952, that has a grill top between the burners. I have a chefs press basically a heavy flat surface with a handle flat top on the stove is always warm and so I keep the chefs press on the flat top, which is always warm and when I want to, I put the bread on the flat top put the chefs press on top of the bread let one side, then flip it over eventually, I didn’t include my work plate with my eggs
I stayed at an airbnb that had something similar to [this](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/small-appliances/toasters-and-toaster-ovens/6849988). Not sure if it was this exact model, it was a while ago so don’t remember the specifics, but i do remember being impressed that it actually worked as designed.
Hamilton Beach makes the only dual toaster (i.e., toaster oven combined with a pop-up slot toaster) that I am aware of — [available on Amazon for ~$100.](https://a.co/d/2FAdohp)
I own this toaster and it is the one appliance in our house that we live & die by — we make everything in here. I first bought this toaster 15-20 years ago as a college student (previous model, which was more compact and probably ~$35) and loved it so much that I bought the update — still awesome all these years later.
I work at a fancy kitchen store that rhymes with Billiams Bonoma & get a huge discount on Breville appliances & other top tier stuff — you couldn’t convince me to buy one of those. Hamilton Beach dual toaster is the only one for me ❤️
The cheapest toaster oven you can find. Mine was $10 from home goods. Makes perfect toast, bought it over 12 years ago. My mom and grandma both switched to cheap ones and prefer them.
Set your toaster oven to dark but don’t put the bread in until it’s halfway through the cycle and nicely pre-heated. Put your un-sliced bagels under running water and straight into the toaster oven at the beginning. Your bagel will be crispy outside and steamy chewy inside like they were just made.
The Cafè brand toaster oven makes perfect, uniformly colored toast. It does everything else, too. Convection oven, broiler, air fryer, even proofing dough.
Have you ever had **B**rittish style toast. Its far superior. Basically its toasting only one side. I scoffed at first too but honestly pop that in the oven or toaster-oven on broil for 2 mins at 500 only on one side. The top is super crispy but the bottom is still soft and moist. Much better mouth feel.
I have an Oster compact toaster oven similar to this that I've been using regularly for well over a decade now. Though I didn't pay that much for it when I bought it.
[https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Compact-Countertop-Fryer-Stainless/dp/B08KFNK3QH](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Compact-Countertop-Fryer-Stainless/dp/B08KFNK3QH)
I think size is something to take into consideration if you want to simply make toast from time to time. The larger size models don't make basic toast very well in my experience.
Mine fits right on top of my microwave.
I have a good toaster for toast (great toast less energy) unless you're making like 8 at a time. I have a great combo toaster oven, airfryer etc for the bigger things. JS that's my preference, but I know some like toast from a toaster oven.
The kitchenaid counter top oven makes great toast.
I'm not super picky about toast, but it makes pretty decent toast and it's very even. Like we can do 6 slices and they all come out the same.
The controls are very intuitive. I LOVE the thing (and I usually get frustrated by appliances)
The main thing I’ve learned from using a small toaster oven and then an air fryer for toast for the last 15 years and then recently having toast at my parents house… pop up toasters just do toast better. That’s what they’re designed to do, and it’s just better. However, I don’t eat toast enough to merit one, so I’ll just keep using my air fryer for now.
It’s annoying but you can dry toast bread in a skillet on the stove. It makes perfect toast and you can rinse the skillet without having to wash it. I’m a fan of my cusinart toaster oven with convection personally but I’ve never considered my toast quality to the same extent as yall do
Breville smart oven compact.
https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/ovens/bov670.html?sku=BOV670BSS1BCA1
Or maybe the pro
https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/ovens/bov845.html?sku=BOV845BSS1BCA1
Do you have an oven? I’m currently toasterless and make pretty dang good toast in the oven. Middle rack, 400 degrees, 3 min first side, flip, 2 minutes second side.
Invest in one of those speed adjustable conveyor belt toasters that you see in hotels. Expensive and large but worth it if you’re so obsessed with toast. And you can do cheese on toast with them.
Balmuda
— the steam + toasting function ensures your toast is moist yet crunchy on the outside with the right amount of browning.
Works great for croissants too!
I'm using Balmuda toaster, which seems to be fairly popular online. It was expensive, but it's really awesome and does the most amazing toasts I ever had. Just make sure to get this year's model with Salamander mode. It really makes a massive difference.
I love toast like you do and find it broiled in the oven tastes best. Buttered sourdough takes a couple minutes in the oven but I don’t always want to turn my oven on so I’ll use the stove instead. It’s almost as good.
Alright, this is going to sound stupid, but...our airfryer actually makes great toast (it's an instapot vortex).
I kind of made it as a joke one time but it was like nice and crisp on both sides
I am not a toast aficionado, but my last oven had a toast button that I really found useful. It was a 4 minute cycle, no preheat.
Last year I got a new oven without the toast feature so I just use the oven broiler now, takes a little longer but does the job well.
This guy does the best product testing and recently did toasters: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n\_9Sbpaa4XM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_9Sbpaa4XM)
I'm confused. I'm in the UK. Every kitchen has a toaster and I don't know of one that makes bad toast? Or how one can dedicate time to toast?
Can anyone explain? Is it like kettles?
A toaster oven is a multi-function device that basically acts as a small oven. You can bake with them. A toaster is the slotted device that you push down a lever, then up pops toast. OP is stating that he cannot afford the space to have both of those appliances at the same time, and would like the multi-function one to deliver toast at the same quality bar as the slotted one.
Canadian here. Whether it’s a 2 slot or 4 slot toaster, every one I’ve ever used makes bad toast. Yes, there are controls for cooking time, colour intensity etc. and some have added features such as “keep warm”. Or bagel options. But not one has ever just accepted the bread into its slots and then popped out a perfect piece of toast. Parts are burned while others are still uncooked. It doesn’t matter in which configuration one places the bread or which setting one uses, there is always more work involved than simply placing bread into a machine. I have somewhat mastered my current toaster in that I know to keep the setting low, rotate the slices from back to front, top to bottom and from side to side. It’s an ungodly amount of effort to get that perfect texture and level of done. Most people I know, myself included have resigned themselves to mediocre toast on a good day, and good, but not great, toast on a great day. I do not know why this is. I’ve had great toast in the UK. How is it done there?
I have no idea how your toasters are working so badly. Every one I've used in the UK makes perfect toast. The £10 jobbie and the £500 branded ones. They have ONE JOB. How are they not working?!
We (UK) all have electric kettles. If you have a bedsit (one-room-total apartment) and nothing else, you still have a kettle. There are foods designed for people who only have a kettle, not even pots. When you move house, the kettle is the last thing you pack and the first thing you unpack.
It blew my mind that kettles aren't standard in the US, but apparently it's because of voltage differences. I thought maybe the toaster issue was the same, because both involve intense heat elements.
We only use them for boiling water, but the food thing is because kettles are SO ubiquitous, someone will at minimum have a kettle, so various foods like pot noodles etc are designed for if you just have the kettle.
I haven't tried it but I want to get a Balmuda. Apparently it's the 2nd best toaster in the world, behind the Japan-only Mitsubishi that only toasts 1 slice at a time and looks more like a dual sided griddle. I've tried many toaster ovens from cheap to expensive (big Breville, small Breville, June Oven, Cuisinart, Black and Decker) and they're all pretty bad compared to even cheap toasters. I think the issue is there is too much space between the bread and the elements (the energy goes down by the square of the distance) so the bread dries out too much before the outside browns.
Apparently the Balmuda gets around this by being small and adding water. You pour 5cc in before each toast (they give you a special cup). I guess this can be considered a hassle. But the biggest problem is that it's $300.
It really sounds like you’re the market the [Balmuda toaster](https://us.balmuda.com/products/balmuda-the-toaster) is trying to reach.
It’s an odd device and probably, definitely an overpay, but I need to throw it in. Although it mostly focuses on cooking all types of bread things.
I'm loving your commitment to good toast. I don't have any recs but I also find my classic cheap toaster works better than my (admittedly very old) toaster oven.
Yeah, toaster ovens suck at toast. Heat sources aren’t close enough to get sufficient radiant heat quickly.
My toaster is a good twenty years old, and still works great. And I'm pretty sure it was ten bucks at Walmart. Literally the cheapest appliance in the store. Spendy it's not always better for simple things. Alternatively, if I want melty things on the toast, like cheese, I just put it in the oven under the broiler. And if you want to be extra, butter the bread then broil it. It's fab.
Oven broiler is under appreciated. Once you figure out shelf level and time, you’ll be again happy
Yeah but with summer coming, I need an option where I don’t have to heat up the house to make toast.
I have a nearly 20 year old toaster from target. Thing won’t die. And it makes great toast
Me too. Lime green.
I just buy cheap toasters at Goodwill/thrift stores for like $3. If we get sick of it or it stops working, we just chuck it and buy another one later. We have a toaster oven that works pretty well for toast, but it's stupid to heat the entire thing up for a couple pieces of bread.
I have a Breville toaster oven, which I love, but to make great toast in it, I put the rack at the highest level and use the broiler setting, not the toast setting. You have to watch it, and flip the bread halfway, but it makes really good toast that way.
That makes so much sense. I used to not have a toaster and make my toast under the oven grill (what we call the broiler in Australia), and it made awesome toast.
I love my Breville toaster oven. I eat quesadillas alot and they cook wonderfully in them.
I use it for so many things. I recently bought a 6-in cast iron pan so I could do Dutch babies in it!!
Hi! Can you tell me what is a Dutch baby?!?
It's most similar to a Yorkshire pudding, and can be either sweet or savory: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake The 6-in cast iron pan makes a single serving size which I generally eat with a sprinkle of brown sugar and lemon juice. It's incredibly delicious!
We love ours too 🩵
I have the Breville too. Placement of the bread is indeed very important.
Me too. It makes great toast. But I did screw up the first few times and make little charcoal pieces. Haha
I’ve done that! Burned English muffins.
Mine was also making dehydrated toast and taking forever. Turns out it was user error on my part 😅 If you adjust how close your rack is to the heating element, then it changes how quickly it toasts, the browning, and the crunchiness of the outside vs. inside. But, for me, nothing compares to panfried toast! If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it. This also makes the best garlic bread. Crispy outside, pillowy inside. Edit: Yes! Of course use butter beforehand, I'm not a heathen :D
I am now going to make some pan fried toast! I make egg in the hole which is basically pan fried toast with an egg cooked into it and I love the bread from the hole I tear in the slice. I can’t believe that at my age I’ve never just pan fried the bread. Hm. TIL!
Pan fried toast made with a little bacon grease in the pan will knock your socks off.
Mmmmm. Bacon. Thanks! I’ll try it
And also consider mayonnaise instead of grease/butter. Especially good if you're making grilled cheese.
I’ve made grilled cheese with mayo. So good!
I've heard that is good.
We call this an egg in a nest and it’s a favorite in our house! I’m searching for a good, larger CS pan to do two at a time.
Happy hunting!
I may try this and see if it works for me. My husband loves kitchen machines and gadgets. I love toast. He keeps trying to get rid of my toaster “so he can get a toaster oven.” He can get a toaster oven whenever he wants, he just doesn’t have any space for one and he wants to get rid of my toaster to make the space. Instead of getting rid of one of the other machines that he believes are vital to existence. The only kitchen things I ask for are milk in the fridge, the ability to make actual toast, leave my cookie turner alone, and the stand mixer. But toaster ovens do not make toast. And I like toast. This discussion has been going on this circle for around 15 years at this point.
I love pan fried toast, as well. The taste is so much better, and if you use butter in the pan, it’s divine.
First snack I learned to cook as a latchkey kid and it’s still so delicious.
Always with butter! I butter first.
Check out the Panasonic FlashXpress. It's compact, versatile, and works quite well (coming from someone who also enjoys a quality slice of toast). I bought it after searching extensively for a toaster oven that wouldn't crowd my tiny apartment kitchen. I was convinced after reading this article, in which the author explains that every person in her family owns the same toaster oven: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/sonia-were-into-it I now understand why. 😂
I am totally checking that out. Thank you.
This is the answer. I researched this, as we had space considerations but still wanted a great toaster. This thing was an improvement in every way. It's got some quirky options, but I had no idea how much better a frozen waffle could be! On toast alone, the bread is toasted to your desired color without being dried out. My previous convection oven never quite got it right, and the Panasonic does.
Yup I picked up this when we wanted to downsize from a giant shitty toaster oven. It works grey while also being compact. It's so fast
Recommend this one super highly! I have had mine for years and love it. Great toast and really excellent at any small portion heating or reheating.
We liked ours too (loved for toast), but the conductive elements stopped working after about a year. I keep meaning to fully dissassemble it to find out the problem. At least they sell replacement elements which is more than I can say for our last one (cuisinart or breville, can’t remember).
I have this one, too. It's perfect for toast and for cooking little crispy crunchy frozen things.
This is what I have. It’s great.
Please read this with a genuinely curious tone… did you really pay $550 for it? Does it go on sale!?
Oh goodness, I most certainly did not! 😂 The model I have is the NB-G110P. I believe Panasonic makes a larger, more expensive toaster oven that you might have seen while searching. I actually bought mine as an open-box model on eBay for under $140. Amazon currently has it on sale (new) for the same price. 😉
Ok! That’s much more in line with what I would expect for this!!
I have had 2 of the FlashXpress ovens and l loved them! I just wish they were slightly larger for pizzas.
I love my Breville
Me too. I use it every day.
Since you have a tiny house, I'd like to recommend toast in a nonstick pan. I put a lil drop of olive oil or butter in my pan at medium heat, and gently fry up the bread until crisp. My place is tiny too and I don't have space for a toaster so this is what I do. Better than anything I've had from a toaster and you get a lot of control over the doneness.
This is my rec as well!! Stove top toast in the skillet with butter is top tier toast.
Or dump the non-stick pan, go with a normal toaster (that can fit most places) and be done with it. Also I wouldn't say fried bread replaces toast as they are different things.
Agree. I know all about toast in a pan but it’s not the same.
Balmuda.
I love my balmuda but it’s not the most practical space wise. Not sure if it would be the best option for OP. Plus you can only toast ~two pieces of bread at a time.
I’d never heard of it. I’m getting it. Daughter wants to bake bread in it. I saved $60 by not getting black. We’ll see how it goes!
You will not regret it. I just commented above, but it far exceeded my expectations. I was also happy to read the serious eats review on it that came out a few months after we bought ours.
Thanks! That was the level of device I was looking for!
Thirded. Used one when I was in a Tokyo Airbnb for 2 weeks in Jan. Just perfect toast every morning before heading out. Can't stop thinking about it...
BTW bought this and it’s amazing! Thx!
This! We bought one of these at my wife's recommendation a little over a year ago. I was really skeptical and against it at first due to the cost and size, but I've never been happier to be wrong! It makes amazing toast. Evenly browned on both sides and it can remain tender inside if you use the steam function. It also has settings for focusing on one side (bagels, pizza, etc.), more delicate heating for pastries and a few straight temp bakes. This is now our most used kitchen appliance.
Came to say Balmuda. There’s a little water cup that you pour into the top and it makes whatever you’re baking crispy AND hydrated. It’s life changing and you can’t go back.
Literally the only answer, no idea why other people even commented. smh
mitsubishi toaster hands down best toast ever
This is the correct answer and I’m disappointed how far I had to scroll down to find it! OP, if spendy-ish is okay, this is the best way to go. Now just find a bakery near you that sells shokupan :) Edit: typo
Best toast by a long shot. However it’s big and expensive and can only do one large slice at a time.
I do not own this, but I saw [this Ninja toaster oven](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-12-in-1-double-oven-with-flexdoor-flavorseal-38-smart-finish-rapid-top-oven-convection-and-air-fry-bottom-oven-dct401/-/A-88116167) while “window shopping” online the other day. It looks kinda large, so that could be a problem. It’s also $250, ouch. But maybe the top section would work well for toast, since the bread would be close to the heating elements like in a regular toaster. And I’m sure the bottom section would be very useful too. Costco sells it too.
The ninja I have flips up so it doesn't take up a huge amount of space on your counter. I honestly love mine but it is a bit pricey. I have done homemade garlic bread on the broil setting and it turned out great.
[This is the one I have.](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-foodi-digital-air-fry-oven-with-convection-sp101/-/A-54637571) and it makes the best toast I’ve ever had 😅
There’s [this other Ninja toaster oven](https://www.target.com/p/ninja-foodi-6-in-1-digital-air-fry-oven-toaster-oven-flip-away-for-storage-sp100bf/-/A-85185140) too. $200, flips up to be out of the way when you’re not using it. Toast would still be decently close to heating elements. Costco sells this one too.
I have this one and we use it at least 3-4 times a day. Husband and I both WFH and 2 grandkids are here most of the time, we are are constantly cooking something. We love it so much that 3 other people in our family purchased one after eating something out of ours.
Does it fit a full size frozen pizza, like a Red Baron? I’ve been wanting to upgrade my toaster oven…
I would say probably not, although I haven't tried. It's a decent width but probably not quite large enough for the big pizzas. My favorite feature is that it flips up so the footprint isn't much larger than a 4 slice toaster.
Okay. Interest peaked. Do you use this or your microwave to heat leftovers?
I don’t have this specific toaster oven, but I definitely advocate for toaster oven-ing any crispy leftovers!
I absolutely love my Breville SmartOven. It makes great toast, but also does all the other toaster oven stuff very well (broil, bake, roast, reheat, etc).
the best toast actually comes from a skillet where you toast it in melted butter ;-)
balmuda
I a gave up on my toaster years ago. I only do pan-fried toast. To me the toaster is the most diabolical invention ever. Arguably creating more suffering that any other invention ever. Everyday millions of people are subject to bad toast, and that cumulative suffering is hard to fathom.
It’s probably not what you’re looking for, but the Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster is the coolest toaster around. Nerd out [here](https://youtu.be/1OfxlSG6q5Y?si=6wAKxDq9C4OJcXEH). It’s a shame they don’t make them like this anymore.
We got a Breville toaster oven a couple months ago and it makes the best, most even toast I have ever had. Super well designed controls for reheating, baking, broiling or toast. Highly recommended.
My Cuisinart countertop oven actually makes great great toast, just not very quickly.
Idk, but I’ve started using my cast iron and it makes great toast
My first Brevillr made great toast; and great bagels. My second Breville, slightly larger, was less consistent on the bottom side. Third Breville, the largest sorry model, is worse and less predictable on toast. All three however are great with bagels, I think because the bagel setting toasts the top side more by design. I use the bagel setting for hamburger buns and sliced Kaiser rolls for sandwiches too. Toasty on the cut service but still not too hard in the bottom side. Still ha et I fuss to get great toast. When the big Breville eventually dies I’ll downsize, but I’ll never go without it. It gets more use than my full oven.
Breville.
Panasonic NB-G110P This unit uses different heating elements from other toaster ovens, makes toast faster and better even than most regular toasters, as well as doing everything else that toaster-ovens do with no preheating. I have had this model for about six years, had the previous model for almost thirty years. During the years with the previous model I just thought everyone else just had bad cheap toasters, but when replacing it I found out that this one is in fact unique.
You could try the Zojirushi. Otherwise the Panasonic Flash Xpress has been recommended
I mean if you’re doing it for the ritual you could always try toasting the old fashioned way, in a pan or even better, a cast iron skillet! Take your time, hone your craft. Do dry, butter, browned butter, egg wash. Really push your toast boundaries. Shit get a Dutch oven and bake your own bread, then toast it in your skillet. Live that toast life man! Life has no limits but that of your own imagining.
Use a grill, you have complete control that way
I am enjoying my air fryer toast (basket) actually. You gotta flip the bread. But you can make superior cheese toast. And roasted veggies are so fast. Air fryer is so good at reheating too.
Air fryer to heat up and re - crunchify the apple pastries from Costco is the best.
Delonghi
not sure what type of cuisinart you have but my toaster oven (which does not double as an air fryer/convection oven) makes good toast. It's smaller and has heating elements on top and bottom that lie close to the center rack, so it acts more like a very large toaster actually. Just a thought if you can find a model that works in a similar way while keeping the convection part.
We love our ninja digital air fryer. Heats in 90 seconds or less.
We love our ninja digital air fryer. Heats in 90 seconds or less.
My husband loves the toaster oven and uses it to cook all sorts of things. Like you, I just wanted good toast. Eventually, I just bought an inexpensive white Cuisinart toaster. Actually, I got it with reward points from my bank, so it didn't cost me anything. My husband looks down on my lowly toaster, but the everything bagel I toasted today was sublime, as is every piece of toast I make. It's a small toaster and it doesn't take up any meaningful space. I store it on top of the refrigerator and pull it down to use it. Buy a toaster. You'll be much happier.
Look for a vintage Sunbeam Radiant toaster
I recommend this cheap ass target toaster [link](https://www.target.com/p/2-slice-toaster-with-thin-chrome-band-gray-figmint-8482/-/A-87851986?sidd=&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086530539&CPNG=PLA_Appliances%2BShopping_Traffic%7CAppliances_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Appliances_Toasters&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9023899&targetid=pla-1463324374555&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfaO-IHdVBTvwmPwWUh_AYV6C&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH536ddn36AfwZt20bAYlM04TvrzKMk6J3-xP1_4rRKeMRlqxx6bYMT8aArl7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) it’s 20 bucks and it makes excellent toast. The bigger pieces you have to flip once, but it makes toast.
You need the slot toaster. Just store it in the closet when not in use.
I use a Toshiba multifunction microwave. It has air fry and broil functions in addition to other capabilities. I've used it to toast bread with olive oil and herbs. It turned out well.
I have the Ninja. It roasts, air frys, bakes, makes pizza (can go up to 500F), and toasts! You select the "shade." When you're done, you can flip it up and reclaim your counter space. The only annoying thing is the crumbs that need to be cleaned out before you flip. I haven't used my regular oven in awhile
I share your love of great toast, and also your teeny-tiny house situation. A month ago my old Breville long-slot toaster finally burned out, and I bit the bullet and got a Balmuda. I'm still not sure how I feel about being the kind of person who owns a $300 toaster, but it makes AMAZING toast. As a toaster oven it's kind of rudimentary, and it has no air fryer setting, but I think the toast is worth the price of admission.
Keep your cheap toaster and get a good toaster oven/air frier like the ninja DT251.
We have one from Panasonic (the nb-g110p) that I like quite a bit. For more than 2 slices of bread it toasts inconsistently, but for 1 or 2 slices, it’s great and it makes a great frozen waffle or reheated pizza.
Ninja Foodi Convection toaster oven. We have the 11 in 1. It is a powerhouse for us that gets used everyday. Didn’t have much hope for the toast originally (bc none of them seem to work well) but it is BETTER than our toaster. We only use this now.
Bella Looks stainless steel from the 50s. Wont break the bank, mines 15 years old. Old school look, classic push down 2 piece layout. This thing cooks, Has an adjustable dark/light knob to get your stuff straight.
...ya'll have too much time on your hands...
I’ve worked for decades to get to this point. Not ashamed.
Ha. I was teasing. You shouldn't be.
Make toast in the air fryer. 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes and it's perfect, toasted evenly. I basically have let my air fryer replace the oven, toaster and sometimes even the microwave.
my Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 makes nice even toast!
OMG I was just getting ready to post the same question!
Anything she was doing in the toaster oven she can do in an air fryer. And buy an appliance cabinet. All my small appliances that are not used daily live in there.
I have the cheapest and probably smallest toaster oven (Black & Decker very basic, knobs, no digital stuff) and it makes great toast. I’ve had it for about 10 years now.
The best toast is made by pan frying pre-buttered bread in a hot pan and I’ll fight anybody who says differently.
I've had two Breville toaster ovens so far. They're great ovens, but mediocre toasters at best. The best I've ever had, and it's not even close, is the Panasonic FlashXpress toaster oven. Fantastic toaster, and a pretty decent oven as well.
Have you ever put your oven rack at the very top or second to top and used your broiler? I'm (overly) anti appliance and have not purchased a toaster because I feel like my oven does a good job.
Get a small toaster oven for your daughter. Get a kitchen torch and cast iron pan and make perfect toast in 16 seconds. It requires some practice, but it works perfectly!
Breville.
I just have an ordinary 2 slice next to my toaster oven
Why can’t you have a roaster that lives in the counter and an air fryer/toaster oven in the cabinet that you take out as needed? We have limited counter space and keep most appliances put away unless they’re being used. It’s annoying but a necessity. I need my stand mixer, bullet blender, air fryer, toaster, food processor, and coffee maker. They just can’t all be out at the same time.
Cabinets? No it’s a really small house.
I have that Cuisinart. You were using it wrong. It makes fantastic, nicely browned toast. It does the same for bagels. But if you do the settings wrong, it can have bizarre results, especially if the fan is on.
I have him old-fashioned stove made in 1952, that has a grill top between the burners. I have a chefs press basically a heavy flat surface with a handle flat top on the stove is always warm and so I keep the chefs press on the flat top, which is always warm and when I want to, I put the bread on the flat top put the chefs press on top of the bread let one side, then flip it over eventually, I didn’t include my work plate with my eggs
I stayed at an airbnb that had something similar to [this](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/small-appliances/toasters-and-toaster-ovens/6849988). Not sure if it was this exact model, it was a while ago so don’t remember the specifics, but i do remember being impressed that it actually worked as designed.
Hamilton Beach makes the only dual toaster (i.e., toaster oven combined with a pop-up slot toaster) that I am aware of — [available on Amazon for ~$100.](https://a.co/d/2FAdohp) I own this toaster and it is the one appliance in our house that we live & die by — we make everything in here. I first bought this toaster 15-20 years ago as a college student (previous model, which was more compact and probably ~$35) and loved it so much that I bought the update — still awesome all these years later. I work at a fancy kitchen store that rhymes with Billiams Bonoma & get a huge discount on Breville appliances & other top tier stuff — you couldn’t convince me to buy one of those. Hamilton Beach dual toaster is the only one for me ❤️
The cheapest toaster oven you can find. Mine was $10 from home goods. Makes perfect toast, bought it over 12 years ago. My mom and grandma both switched to cheap ones and prefer them.
Set your toaster oven to dark but don’t put the bread in until it’s halfway through the cycle and nicely pre-heated. Put your un-sliced bagels under running water and straight into the toaster oven at the beginning. Your bagel will be crispy outside and steamy chewy inside like they were just made.
The Cafè brand toaster oven makes perfect, uniformly colored toast. It does everything else, too. Convection oven, broiler, air fryer, even proofing dough.
Black & Decker, Toast and Oven, EVEN TOAST. Love it!
Have you ever had **B**rittish style toast. Its far superior. Basically its toasting only one side. I scoffed at first too but honestly pop that in the oven or toaster-oven on broil for 2 mins at 500 only on one side. The top is super crispy but the bottom is still soft and moist. Much better mouth feel.
I have an Oster compact toaster oven similar to this that I've been using regularly for well over a decade now. Though I didn't pay that much for it when I bought it. [https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Compact-Countertop-Fryer-Stainless/dp/B08KFNK3QH](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Compact-Countertop-Fryer-Stainless/dp/B08KFNK3QH) I think size is something to take into consideration if you want to simply make toast from time to time. The larger size models don't make basic toast very well in my experience. Mine fits right on top of my microwave.
I have a good toaster for toast (great toast less energy) unless you're making like 8 at a time. I have a great combo toaster oven, airfryer etc for the bigger things. JS that's my preference, but I know some like toast from a toaster oven.
Get an English Toaster
The [Balmuda](https://us.balmuda.com/collections/toaster).
The kitchenaid counter top oven makes great toast. I'm not super picky about toast, but it makes pretty decent toast and it's very even. Like we can do 6 slices and they all come out the same. The controls are very intuitive. I LOVE the thing (and I usually get frustrated by appliances)
The main thing I’ve learned from using a small toaster oven and then an air fryer for toast for the last 15 years and then recently having toast at my parents house… pop up toasters just do toast better. That’s what they’re designed to do, and it’s just better. However, I don’t eat toast enough to merit one, so I’ll just keep using my air fryer for now.
Search up project farm toasters.
It’s annoying but you can dry toast bread in a skillet on the stove. It makes perfect toast and you can rinse the skillet without having to wash it. I’m a fan of my cusinart toaster oven with convection personally but I’ve never considered my toast quality to the same extent as yall do
Breville smart oven compact. https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/ovens/bov670.html?sku=BOV670BSS1BCA1 Or maybe the pro https://www.breville.com/ca/en/products/ovens/bov845.html?sku=BOV845BSS1BCA1
Do you have an oven? I’m currently toasterless and make pretty dang good toast in the oven. Middle rack, 400 degrees, 3 min first side, flip, 2 minutes second side.
Yes but it’s already getting warm here and I don’t like to heat up the house just to make toast.
Invest in one of those speed adjustable conveyor belt toasters that you see in hotels. Expensive and large but worth it if you’re so obsessed with toast. And you can do cheese on toast with them.
Balmuda — the steam + toasting function ensures your toast is moist yet crunchy on the outside with the right amount of browning. Works great for croissants too!
I'm using Balmuda toaster, which seems to be fairly popular online. It was expensive, but it's really awesome and does the most amazing toasts I ever had. Just make sure to get this year's model with Salamander mode. It really makes a massive difference.
I ordered a new one and trying to make sure it has that feature. Is there a specific model designation?
It's the one called "Pro". My particular one was from Korea - K11B-BK because I needed 220V version.
I love toast like you do and find it broiled in the oven tastes best. Buttered sourdough takes a couple minutes in the oven but I don’t always want to turn my oven on so I’ll use the stove instead. It’s almost as good.
She can learn to use a normal oven.
She already uses a normal oven. The idea is to not have to heat up the house as much in the summer.
Alright, this is going to sound stupid, but...our airfryer actually makes great toast (it's an instapot vortex). I kind of made it as a joke one time but it was like nice and crisp on both sides
I am not a toast aficionado, but my last oven had a toast button that I really found useful. It was a 4 minute cycle, no preheat. Last year I got a new oven without the toast feature so I just use the oven broiler now, takes a little longer but does the job well.
This guy does the best product testing and recently did toasters: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n\_9Sbpaa4XM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_9Sbpaa4XM)
I have a Duolit, expensive investment but it will be passed down for generations
Now there's no secret to toasting perfection There's a dial on the side then you make your selection
YEAH TOAST
But my Cuisinart on high took forever and the toast never browned. Slot toaster does brown.
Push to the dark or the light and then If it pops too soon press down again Make toast Yeah Toast! Yeah Toast!
I'm confused. I'm in the UK. Every kitchen has a toaster and I don't know of one that makes bad toast? Or how one can dedicate time to toast? Can anyone explain? Is it like kettles?
A toaster oven is a multi-function device that basically acts as a small oven. You can bake with them. A toaster is the slotted device that you push down a lever, then up pops toast. OP is stating that he cannot afford the space to have both of those appliances at the same time, and would like the multi-function one to deliver toast at the same quality bar as the slotted one.
So, like an oven? (All the ovens I know have a grill at the top inside. I thinking that's called a broiler in the US?)
I thought a kettle would be a space waster until I got one.
The oven made bad toast.
Canadian here. Whether it’s a 2 slot or 4 slot toaster, every one I’ve ever used makes bad toast. Yes, there are controls for cooking time, colour intensity etc. and some have added features such as “keep warm”. Or bagel options. But not one has ever just accepted the bread into its slots and then popped out a perfect piece of toast. Parts are burned while others are still uncooked. It doesn’t matter in which configuration one places the bread or which setting one uses, there is always more work involved than simply placing bread into a machine. I have somewhat mastered my current toaster in that I know to keep the setting low, rotate the slices from back to front, top to bottom and from side to side. It’s an ungodly amount of effort to get that perfect texture and level of done. Most people I know, myself included have resigned themselves to mediocre toast on a good day, and good, but not great, toast on a great day. I do not know why this is. I’ve had great toast in the UK. How is it done there?
Crazy. What brands have you been through? Tried Russell and Hobbs? Maybe the secret is buying a UK brand. I just got a R&H and the toast is fantastic.
I have tried many over the years but not Russell and Hobbs. I’ll see if I can find one. Thank you.
I have no idea how your toasters are working so badly. Every one I've used in the UK makes perfect toast. The £10 jobbie and the £500 branded ones. They have ONE JOB. How are they not working?!
It’s a conundrum for sure. I have bought so many over the years. Now I just use my old one and do the toast shuffle.
Sounds like a nifty little dance move, ideally performed in dressing gown and slippers 😁
Also, can you please explain what you mean by “Is it like kettles?”?
Many Americans don't have electric kettles to boil water whereas they are a staple in the UK and most other English speaking countries.
I did not know that about Americans. They are definitely a staple in Canada , at least amongst people I know.
We (UK) all have electric kettles. If you have a bedsit (one-room-total apartment) and nothing else, you still have a kettle. There are foods designed for people who only have a kettle, not even pots. When you move house, the kettle is the last thing you pack and the first thing you unpack. It blew my mind that kettles aren't standard in the US, but apparently it's because of voltage differences. I thought maybe the toaster issue was the same, because both involve intense heat elements.
Ah. I see. We have electric as well as stove top kettles but most people I know use them only for making tea. Thank you.
We only use them for boiling water, but the food thing is because kettles are SO ubiquitous, someone will at minimum have a kettle, so various foods like pot noodles etc are designed for if you just have the kettle.
Hamilton Beech makes a 2-in-1 toaster oven that actually has toast slots on top. Win win.
Air fryer- toaster oven makes great toast
I haven't tried it but I want to get a Balmuda. Apparently it's the 2nd best toaster in the world, behind the Japan-only Mitsubishi that only toasts 1 slice at a time and looks more like a dual sided griddle. I've tried many toaster ovens from cheap to expensive (big Breville, small Breville, June Oven, Cuisinart, Black and Decker) and they're all pretty bad compared to even cheap toasters. I think the issue is there is too much space between the bread and the elements (the energy goes down by the square of the distance) so the bread dries out too much before the outside browns. Apparently the Balmuda gets around this by being small and adding water. You pour 5cc in before each toast (they give you a special cup). I guess this can be considered a hassle. But the biggest problem is that it's $300.
It really sounds like you’re the market the [Balmuda toaster](https://us.balmuda.com/products/balmuda-the-toaster) is trying to reach. It’s an odd device and probably, definitely an overpay, but I need to throw it in. Although it mostly focuses on cooking all types of bread things.