Good looks, compact size, and it really does toast!

Let me first point out that for many years, I purchased larger 6 slice toaster ovens that worked well as an oven, but painfully slow as a toaster. This seems to be a common issue among many large toaster ovens, and is why I resorted to a regular 2 slice toaster for toast long ago. However some remodeling left me in a position to need a true compact model - and at 15" wide and only 9" high, this model was my selection.

What grabbed my attention in the store was the unique curved glass "door" that glides up and over the unit instead of dropping forward. The combination of a stainless steel top, black sides and that rounded door really stands out. Keep the door in mind as I go into some detail here. Thanks to this design, more of the oven cavity is open when the door is open, so placing toast, bagels or english muffins on the 11" x 9" tray is easy - you don't need to pull single height wire tray out.

If you have a mess to clean up, you WILL like the crumb tray that does pull out from the front. Other details are a baking pan with broiling insert (never used), simple 2 knob operation with bake/broil/toast functions integrated into the 200F - 450F thermostat dial. Strangely both elements come on at full power in the bake mode just as in the toast mode, with only the top element used for broil. See my comments on baking performance below. A 30 minute timer with bell and stay-on position is provided. The oven does not turn off when the door is opened.

This model features quartz heating elements that seem to be the key to quicker toast operation. Both upper and lower are well shielded against damage and excessive direct heat. Indeed I have not needed to use my 2 slice toaster since my purchase of this model. To be fair, I can't vouch for the consistency of batch after batch of toast - but I haven't burned any bread products yet.

But there is a down side to the quick heating elements. While this toaster oven works well as a toaster, it tends to fall short as an oven. It's fine for simple frozen items like fries, precooked frozen products or the like. But unlike a couple Oster models I've had over the years, I'd never think of trying to bake even the smallest pie or rolls. This unit WILL burn any form of crust. I have managed to bake larger pot pies with the use of a cooking spray on top first. With barely 3" of clearance, most food will be very close to the upper element.

I've also noticed that heat clearly escapes through the gap between the door and the top of the oven. That may contribute to the burning of larger baked items as the elements must cycle on often. Note that the glass can be removed for cleaning via releasing a stop latch on the back. I have washed it in the dishwasher (bottom rack/air dry) without problem.

Lastly note that this is NOT a convection unit. There seems to be a description error that lists all toaster ovens as "convection". I should also add that I have seen this model sold under the GE brand at WalMart. Also note that my unit is now 2 years old, so some details such as controls may be slightly changed. On the positive, it still works like new.

Overall this is a toaster oven that has a bias toward toasting over baking operation. If you know it's limits for baking, you - like me, can get along well with this model.