Toaster Oven: Black & Decker TO1755SB

[frigilux]

Homemade low carb / keto “breads” using almond and/or coconut flour have replaced those made with grain flours in my diet since joining club Type II. Unfortunately, most slices of them do not like standing vertically in a traditional toaster, where they tend to bend, sometimes emerging with chunks left behind.

So, for the first time since college, I decided to get a small toaster oven. Two things were important: a small footprint and limited wattage. Counter space is tight and the microwave is on the same circuit.

Moseyed over to CR and found just what I was looking for: The Black & Decker 4-slice TO1755SB coming in at 9” x 16” x 11” (H x W x D) and only 1150 watts. Cost: $50 at WalMart online.

This thing is so old-school that the timer / toast color knob has to be turned past the 10-minute mark, then backed up to the desired toast color setting. And it goes tick-tick-tick-tick (rather loudly, I must say) just like an old mechanical kitchen timer. Don’t mind the ticking when toasting, but it would probably get annoying to listen to for 30+ minutes when baking. You can bypass the timer by turning the knob to the “Stay On” position, but then it doesn’t shut off automatically. The case gets very hot, even when toasting.

I don’t plan to use this for baking, broiling burgers, or roasting pieces of chicken. Strictly toast. The small upper oven on my GE range is perfect for those other chores—and it’s self-cleaning.

So far, so good. Toasts all sorts of keto breads—standard slices, biscuits, bagels, sandwich buns—accurately and without the issues caused by a vertical slot.

Unfortunately, I can’t report on how it does with regular grain flour-based bread because I don’t have any. I assume it gets the job done with standard breads, as well.

Of course I was smitten with the Breville ovens at the top of the ratings, but they were too large for my purposes and drew 1800 watts. Nor do I need a toaster oven that can roast a whole chicken, a 12” pizza, or eight slices of bread.

The previous toaster, a Krups KH732D50 2-slice received a thorough cleaning and went to the local Sharing Center to find a new home.

 

[wayupnorth]

I bought the same Walmart store brand, Mainstays. I dont use it for toast but frozen french fries crisp up with 3 turns on the toast mode. It warms up leftovers great, and melts cheese great too.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Nothing says you have to use both appliances at the same time. Just having them plugged in at the same time is not going to trip a breaker as long as one or neither is operating.

 

[frigilux]

True, but I want to have the option of using both at the same time without blowing a fuse.

Believe it or spit: Each apartment's electrical box is an old-school fuse box. No circuit breakers, which surprises me, but electrical inspectors have been here and have not demanded that we upgrade to circuit breakers.

 

[tomturbomatic]

You are probably not going to be successful using a microwave oven and a toaster oven at the same time on even a 20 amp 120 volt circuit unless it is the dimensions you are concerned about fitting in the space.

 

[ea56]

I agree with Tom about using both the toaster oven and the MW at the same time on the same circuit Eugene.  Better keep a supply of fuses on hand just in case.

 

 I lived in an old duplex in 1978 that had two 20 amp circuits with fuses.  If I tried to use the Maytag A50 Twin Tub at night, as soon as I turned on the spinner the fuse would blow, with only the refrigerator and the lights also on at the time.  

 

It was a real PITA, as the fuse box was outside, under the eaves, with no light and covered with Ivy.  I only had the three legged chair that went to the Danish Modern kitchen table to stand on.  The last time I tried to change a fuse, standing on a three legged chair, in the dark AND rain, holding the new fuse in my mouth and a flashlight in my left hand was the last time I did the laundry afterdark.

 

Eddie

 

[circlew]

Eddie, I can just picture you changing that fuse! Sounds like something from a cartoon. Just glad you were successful in getting it changed without incident.

 

[frigilux]

I used the microwave and my Krups 2-slice toaster together many times. Either the Krups drew fewer watts or I'm mistaken about the two being on the same circuit.

It makes no matter; a small footprint was very important, as well.

Eddie- I can't imagine going through all that to change a fuse! The fusebox for my apartment is on the wall next to my washer. Very easy to get to. Come to think of it, a fuse has never blown in my 3-1/2 years here.

 

[ea56]

Yes, Eugene changing a fuse in the duplex was a real hassle.  Its a miracle that I wasn’t electrocuted on that rainy night.  Boy was I ever pissed!  Maybe you’l  be lucky using the toaster oven and MW at the same time.

 

BTW, I think you’ll learn to like the timer on your toaster oven.  My Dualit toaster has a timer and I think its great!  The toast always comes out the same once you get the correct timing down.  I don’t know why every toaster doesn’t operate this way.

 

Eddie

 

[bradfordwhite]

Congratulations on your purchase

I hope you get the service from yours as you plan.

 

Toaster ovens and single burner electric cook tops are my only cooking appliances.  I have two of each.   

 

I won't do a traditional freestanding stove any longer because they are just too big and you can't move them around or outside to cook so as to keep heat and odors outside.  I don't do microwaves.

 

Burners usually last me about 5 years and cost about $15 to $20 online, incldng shipping.

 

The ovens I'm amazed at how many of these I see at thrift shops.  Often in unused or barely used condition and prices of $4 to $15.

As you know, they aren't that expensive new.

 

One of my current is a Hamilton Beach I got for $6.99 and it looked like it had been lightly used once.    I've had for a year now and it's still reasonably clean (I clean after each use) .  It uses 1300 watts.  If one had a microwave that typically uses 1200 watts that would be too much for a 20 amp breaker.

 

My other oven is the outdoor oven and I got that for $4.  I use one of them about every other day.  Sometimes twice a day.

 

When something goes wrong with them and I can't fix; they just get thrown in the scrap metal bin for recycle.  

 

My 2010 oven