Save Energy Using a Toaster Oven

During the holidays it seems like everyone is baking and cooking non-stop.  With all of this activity in the kitchen, our energy costs can also increase.  Using a toaster oven instead of an electric oven can help set off some of those costs.

According to the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Saving, baking a casserole in an electric oven consumes twice the amount of electricity as a toaster oven.  In addition, it takes longer for an electric oven to preheat, so more energy is being used.

I use a toaster oven for 95% of my baking and broiling.  I only use my regular oven if I have more than one casserole or dish being baked, or when baking cupcakes and several loaves of bread.

When I use the large oven, it also heats the kitchen area. This might be good in the winter, but in the summer I usually have to turn the air conditioner lower to cool off the kitchen area while baking (which uses even more energy).

Black & Decker Toaster Oven

A few years ago I purchased the Black & Decker Countertop Convection Oven/Broiler 6301 from Linens ‘n Things since my other toaster oven was having issues.  The Black and Decker model was a little more than what I wanted to spend, but I started thinking about the long-term benefits.  I chose this model since it had so much more room, can toast 6 slices at a time, and also a 12″ pizza.  Being able to cook a pizza in the toast oven was important to my husband.

I also purchased an inexpensive casserole dish set that doesn’t have handles or a lip, so even the 9X13 casserole dish fits in the toaster oven.  I tested the dishes in the toaster oven at the store to make sure that I would be able to use it for most of my recipes.  I don’t know the brand of casserole dishes I purchased since it isn’t marked on the bottom, otherwise I would pass along this information as well.

The only downfall to this particular toaster oven is that it takes a few times to figure out the digital buttons.  Also, the top does get hot when it’s being used, so make sure you don’t leave anything on top while baking. Otherwise, we have had the toaster oven for over three years and use it almost daily.

If you don’t currently own a toaster oven and you cook often, I recommend you think about purchasing one if you are trying to conserve energy.  Try to buy one that is large enough for many of the baking dishes you use most frequently or purchase dishes that you know will fit in the toaster oven.

I am very happy with the brand and model that I have, but I am sure that there are many just as good and as large.

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