Toaster Oven Thread ... what's on your counter?

[ovrphil]

I love toaster ovens, even though I may not use them daily. I'd love to see what you all use or have collected so here's a start. Please include your model numbers and any other details you care to share. Thanks everyone.

My collection(all Thrift finds): First up..a Deluxe Toast-R-Oven GE 21T93, never used with original use and care book.

 

[ovrphil]

Second up..GEB1T660

In fair condition but I love the web design. I've only used it to heat up food or occasionally toast. It's not a great toaster.. it probably could use some tweaking. Note the top has a lift-up lid for a warming area. Cool!

 

[ovrphil]

3 - Proctor Silex 05004N

Another lightly used one, streamline design with integrated temperature controls and a lever to open and close the toaster slot. It has been seldom-used. I need to try some baking. Toasting works well.

 

[rp2813]

Nice ones, Phil!  The Proctor-Silex that incorporates a true pop-up toaster is my favorite type of TO.

 

[ovrphil]

I agree ...I think it was the most thoughtfully designed, but that mechanism to open and close the toaster slot is not the most robust. But that was the only area I needed to work on... now the knob will easily open and close the toaster slot cover.

In the second posting I meant to say I like the wedge design.

Also, thanks to members here I have found the gel gloss no streak glass wax cleaner is superior for bringing back the original finishes on many of my appliances after they have been cleaned. If you haven't tried Glass Wax Cleaner 3D (the product name on the bottle ),you should give it a try. I got mine at Ace Hardware, FYI.

[this post was last edited: 2/4/2017-11:24]

 

[rp2813]

I've also seen Gel Gloss recommended for cultured stone sinks/vanity tops that can't handle abrasive cleaners.   I'm not sure if it's the Glass Wax version or just plain original Gel Gloss, which comes in an aerosol can. 

 

So will that stuff pictured above make the snow flake patterns, etc. on your windows during the holiday season?

 

[tomturbomatic]

I somehow wound up with the instruction manual for  GE's Versatronic toaster oven, something that probably never made far beyond the end of the runway, but I have not seen the oven. Has anyone here? Wisely, the controls were under the oven. In reading through the booklet, I did not see that it did much more than a regular TO.

 

I am still using the GE 4 slice Toaster Oven that I bought in 1974 or 75. Like everything from that time, it is afflicted with a little wood grain around the control. It has the second rack for cooking two frozen dinners at once but I have not prepared one, let alone two in it. Can't you just imagine having a guest over and preparing two TV dinners? DinDin a deux with candlelight and flowers.

 

[ovrphil]

LOL Ralph! Snowflakes? I haven't tried that but as you can see... we use those stick on window flakes. Easy on easy off. I haven't used the gel gloss on the granite countertops; I use a spray product call Stone Care International that I bought at Home Depot. I use the glass wax product on the Frigidaire refrigerator (painted surfaces and chrome),  all the surfaces of my microwave and toaster ovens. I don't scrub because I do believe you could if you wanted to remove some surface coloring. I'm referring to some of those not so great wood grain finishes. You know the ones that were rolled on and extremely delicate with age. When I said you should try the glass wax product, I would expect most would approach using it onservatively...in cleaning approach  But one doesn't have to worry about glass or chrome, painted appliance surfaces or plastic . Attached are some photos. Another product I like for plastic is Meguiars PlastX. I think it's one of my favorite for plastics, but in a pinch glass wax works very well. The photo included of the GE toaster oven represents all surfaces cleaned and waxed by glass wax. But I was careful not to use it if I saw any indication removing any of the faux wood surface.

It leaves a nice shine, but I use a light touch. Of course there are other products you and others prefer but I'm just saying...

 

[sudsmaster]

Very nice collection, esp the first GE.

I have a couple of toaster ovens but I doubt you'd be interested in the 21st century digital Oster and Cuisinart. The Oster is no longer used, although it's a biggun. I use the Cuisinart for warming up/toasting hot dog buns... mainly... although I have made pizzas and such in it too.

 

[lordkenmore]

I doubt anyone would be interested in my toaster oven, either. It's a modern Toastmaster. It's not the best imaginable, but it gets the job done. Which is good, since it's my only oven.

 

The most noteworthy thing about it was getting it for something like $1.30 on color tag clearance day at Goodwill.

 

I've used toaster ovens in general a lot the last 18 years or so. Even when I do have a real oven, I've thought toaster ovens are often more convenient. I also wonder if they aren't a bit more frugal for power--smaller amount of oven space to heat. (Although, admittedly, the insulation isn't the best on a toaster oven...)

 

[joeekaitis]

 

 

 

Panasonic FlashXpress.  Ironically, toast is the thing I make least often in it.

 

[lordkenmore]

Ironically, toast is the thing I make least often in it.

Maybe we should start a special club: Toaster Oven Owners Who Don't Make Toast in the Toaster Oven. LOL

 

I also seldom use a toaster oven for making toast. Even though it's the only gadget I have right now that can make toast. Most of my toaster oven toasting has probably been something like making garlic bread.

 

[petek]

Panasonic Flash Xpress

That's what we use.. even with my plethora of vintage toaster ovens. It's speedy and actually makes dam good toast. It's a bugger to clean though and looking awful like all well used toaster ovens. I bought it about 9 years ago for my mom who not being a a small appliance lover actually loved it.. I took it back when she moved into long term care.

I'm not a fan of honkin big toaster ovens like many are these days... they take up to much counter space.

 

[ovrphil]

LordKenmore: I think that would be an interesting presentation: a month of meals in a toaster oven. I have a toaster oven cookbook that I haven't cracked. Not to take the fun away from using a real stove- wall or floor model or other, I think it's a great tribute to saving energy. We also have a Krups convection oven that I also got at Goodwill  for $6. But I think you got the best deal, next to free. Might you have any photos to share?

 

 

That's okay it's a toaster oven thread... well it's worth a video by CNET.. the Panasonic Flashexpress.  And don't forget to add a photo... I found the Panasonic posted a picture of it below. Vintage toasters would be nice to see, but anything you can share about your particular toaster oven is great. Thanks everyone.

http://https//m.youtube.com/watch?v=t_D6MGlNW-E

 

[joeekaitis]

Things I regularly cook in a Panasonic FlashXpress . . .

 

 

. . . and a before-and-after toast shot.

 

[ovrphil]

I'm getting hungry Joe ...I haven't eaten dinner yet

Your toast looks evenly toasted. If I were to try that with the GE B1 T660 toasting is uneven.

 

[petek]

I'll have to line up my ovens and get a more recent picture.

btw I'm somewhat puzzled that Consumer Reports and other sources are touting the Flash Xpress as new? It's been on the market since about 2008 and I bought it on their recommendation as the best out there.

 

[ovrphil]

Petek. . It's an old video that is on YouTube, I presume. So it was new in 2008. :^)

 

[turquoisedude]

The toaster ovens of Ogden...

First up, the daily driver. It's a late 70s Proctor-Silex - one of the continuous cleaning ones.  I remember buying this for hubby not long after we met in the 90s. It's been in near-continuous use since then and still going strong!

 

[turquoisedude]

And as if I'd only have one...LOL

 

The 2 slice GE is a US model, probably late 60s.  The other scary-looking thing is not really a toaster oven but I think it's too cool to not share.  I am not sure but these may have been available here in Canada only. 

 

Stay tuned for the St-Lib ones (again note there's more than one...) tomorrow!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

As seen in Thrifting Finds Part Three: Late 60's early 70's General Electric Toast-R-Oven with a few extra pic's.

 




















 

 

[philr]

I have a Canadian GE toaster oven from the mid-1960s and a newer Canadian Versatron which is the equivalent of the US Versatron 1000 for when I need a bigger one also have the open toaster and a few more.

 

[passatdoc]

Breville 800 Smart Oven. Makes six slices of toast at once. Can bake pies or pizza up to 13". Accommodates a 13 x 9 roaster/dish or quarter sheet baking pan. I've done two large loaves of banana bread at once, thanks to the convection fan. Just as good as in the big oven, with five minutes preheating (vs 15-20 in big oven). Will keep warm, reheat, broil, bake, roast, do cookies, do bagels, etc. Footprint is 20 x 16, so not good where space is limited.

My unit is 6-7 years old and thus the basic model, still sold today. There is a "Pro" model with two upgraded features:

1. Ability to slow cook at low temps for up to 12 hours; my model's max cook time is two hours (you could slow cook if you restarted the oven every two hours....)

2. Interior light.

The Pro model sells for $15-20, not a large mark up for these two features, which many might like and which others might find unnecessary.

Sold in UK by Amazon and John Lewis under the "Sage" brand name (basic model).

 

[mixguy]

GE Versatronic Toaster Over

I have a GE Versatronic-the model you can dismantle for washing in the dishwasher. After taking this picture, it sure needs a cleaning again! The inside liners, glass door and rear panels are removable and there are sensors that prevent heating if not re-assembled correctly. It has a two position shelf for broiling. There is a sensor in the chrome wire shelf. The instructions are explicit about food placement to insure best results. It preheats very fast usually at 350 in 3 min. Rarely make pizza at home and when I do it is on the pizza stone in the big oven. The one fault it has is sometimes browning the top of food too quickly. Like that it can accommodate a 9" x 13" pan. I have never used it to broil, knowing it will be a PITA to clean and will shorten the life of the heating elements that are not replaceable. GE is famous for making parts NLA when a model is discontinued! Like how is toasts oversized as well as sliced bread, I seldom have 6 slices toasting at any one time and know the lower calrod heating elements don't deliver the radiant heat as well as the upper glass enclosed nichrome wire elements. I like the timer. Use it lots in the summer to bake biscuits, muffins and single layer cakes. A standard Bundt pan fits but I advise against its use with the risk of burning the top of the finish cake, foil can be used as a heat shield but it can become a messy ordeal as the cake rises close to the top of the pan. When they first appeared 1978 they sold for $99.95 and were not selling, I checked the store weekly price reductions when the price was on clearance at 50% off they were selling and I got the second to last one in the store! The toaster oven is still going strong except it does not work in the timed broil position or in the upper rack position. It is seldon to have a GE product last this long and hope that writing the entry does not "jinx" my oven. However I do have my eyes on a larger Brevelle and Oster which have convection modes and two shelves that would allow me to bake two cake layers at one time.

GE made a touch panel model but they were not durable most were returned within 90 days GE offered different model as a replacement without the electronic controls.

 

[philr]

Your Versatron toaster has more features than mine. I don't think this model was available here in Canada, at least, I've never seen one of these for sale here.

There was also another model with a digital display that I have seen only in ads. I wish I could find one with the digital display!

 

[appnut]

I have the exact same unit as PassatDoc I purchased October/November 2009.  Love it!!   Breville has a new Breville Smart Oven Air that's a whole 1.0 cu. ft.  Drool. 

[this post was last edited: 2/6/2017-13:29]

 

[DADoES]

 
Simple/modern specimen.

 

[turquoisedude]

Meanwhile, in St-Liboire...

Here's the current daily driver, a 70s GE A6T94 4-slice model without the broil option.

I am using it as backup now, but the late 70s continuous-clean model in the second photo has served us well for years.  Funnily enough, when we bought our first country house in Mountain Lakes, hubby and I went to a huge garage sale and I told him to grab a decent-looking toaster oven and this is what he found!

 

[supersuds]

Dating

Louie, I have the exact Toast-R-Oven as you (reply#20). FWIW I bought it new from Woolworth's in 1986. This was a couple of years after GE sold their small appliance division to Black & Decker, so I was excited to see this one still languishing on the shelf.

So, I assume it is from the tail end of GE production in the Eighties. Unless it got lost somewhere in the Woolworth distribution system for 15 or 20 years?

It still works fine! I love it.

 

[circlew]

I have a Black & Decker toaster-oven, but it's packed up, and out in the garage. I bought it about 20 yrs. ago. I used it for about 8 or 10 yrs., but not often, so put it away.