Breville makes excellent toaster ovens (4 slice or 6 slice) BUT they also get very hot while operating but cool down fairly quickly . I don't think a hot toaster oven will affect your fridge - fridges are well insulated and people put wall ovens next to them - just don't have them touching.

Thank you weissman, I did not notice that one. I looked at the bigger version ( 6 slices ). This one has excellent reviews on all sites. I think I will go and get it today from bed bath. It looks pretty nice too. Do you know if the Bamboo mate that they sell separate would sit on top of it ?. I think that will add an extra insulation. Thanks again

Yes, the bamboo cutting board is made to fit on top of it - I don't have one.

Do you own a breville yourself ? If yes for how long ?I believe this a fairly new model ( the 4 slices) and I am questionning their reliability over years, especially the blue LCD display. I already ordred it today from bed bath for $155.00 including taxes. I just received the Costco connection magazine and they have an add on the cuisinart toaster oven with touch buttons and convection oven for $119.00 plus taxes which will add another 10 bucks ( It has also great reviews ). It has the same length as the breville but it is a little deeper. It has 3 years limited warranty while the breville has 1 year. The difference in price is not a big deal, I am more concerned about reliability and warranty.So, which brand do you think is more reliable ?

I've owned the Breville large model for about 3 months now and I'm very pleased with it. Makes great toast and bakes well. I bought it based on the reviews and it has not disappointed. Can't talk about long term reliability and I can't compare it to the Cuisinart since I haven't owned one.

I just bought the breville 6 slice and couldn't be happier. I too was concerned about reliability and sorry cant speak to that yet but this one is far superior to the cuisinart i owned before

I've owned and used the Breville (larger/6 slice) for about 15 months, with no problems whatsoever. We really love it, and, in fact, we use it as our primary oven on a day-to-day basis. If it fits in the Breville, it goes in! I purchased the oven based on the recommendation of a friend who has owned one now for probably 3-4 years and still loves it. Hope that helps!

Thank you all for your feedbacks. You made me so excited to get and try mine ( the 4 slices ). I am still waiting for it, since Bed Bath carries only the 6 slices in the store, I had to order mine online. The good thing is that they waived the shipping cost( never hurts to ask).I will make sure to post my feedback on mine, hopping to help somebody else shopping for one. Good luck all with yours

I just got my brevile 4 slices yesterday. I already tried it with toasts and bagels. I love the way it browns them while the inside is still soft. My only complaint is that the 4 slices looks cheaper made than the 6 slices. The 6 slices is all stainless steel while the 4 slices has just the front, while the sides an top made of regular steel sprayed grey to give the stainless steel look. Also the knobs are made with plastic painted grey, to give the same fake look. So as performance I give it A+ but for the look a B. I am debating whether to return it and get the 6 slices or not. As far as size there is a 2" increase in length and width and 1 1/4" in hight. As far as price about $50.00 more .I really do not need a second oven. I just changed appliances in my kitchen and have a new kitchenaid microwave/ convect oven and oven combo that I love and working fine until now after 2 selfcleaning cycles. And I have a 36" dual fuel kitchenaid range. So I already have 2 convection ovens. What do you think , should I go with the 6 slices or not for the quality ?. I really do not know why they gave the 4 slices this cheap look.

MY OLD BLACK AND DECKER TOASTER OVEN WAS WONDERFUL. HOWEVER, IT DIED. I AM TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER ONE AKIN TO THE OLD ONE. I BOUGHT ANOTHER BLACK AND DECKER SIX TOASTER;IT CAME WITH CONVECTION....NOT THAT I WANTED OR NEEDED THAT. I USED IT ONCE. IT HEATED UP THE ENTIRE BIG KITCHEN, TOOK ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO DO 2 THIN SLICES OF BREAD. I TOUCHED THE GLASS WHILE TAKING THE TOAST OUT AND WAS BURNED. THE ENTIRE OVEN WAS HOT ENOUGH TO FRY AN EGG ON. I TOOK IT BACK. I WANT AN INSULATED TOASTER OVEN. I DO NOT NEED A SPACE HEATER FOR THE KITCHEN.

@Carole - Breville Smart Oven.

I love my Breville toaster oven but it does get hot on the outside and you have to be careful not to get burned - but it's not a space heater - it doesn't heat up my kitchen.

I Had to come back and tell you that I decided to keep the 4 slices, since my son is leaving for college and it will be just be me and my DH. I also have to tell you that I love this toaster and the way it bakes, broils and toasts. It is really a smart oven. I do not pay attention to its looks now, but at its performance. I even recommended it to a friend who had just bought a cuisinart one. She returned the cuisinart and got the breville and she called me to thank me for that choice. Now she cooks everything in the breville even filet mignon, and it turns out great( her DH is a picky eater). So I had to come back and thank everyone that advised me to get the breville. Thanks Weissman.

I don't know how your hot toaster oven would damage the refrigerator next to it, because heat rises. It might scorch the bottom of your cabinets, and melt your under-cabinet lights, but your refrigerator will be safe.

It sounds like your hands are what is most at risk, especially if the unit's sides get so hot and stay hot after use.

In my old house, our toaster oven sat in the same spot on the counter (with cabs above it) for 12 years and it was used several times a day. Like someone above said, if it fit in it, it got baked in it--no sense in heating up the whole big oven just to cook something for 2 people. Anyway, the underside of the upper cabs was never affected (and they were white, I think it'd have shown up).

Current toaster is a 6-slice Black and Decker; it's at least 6-7 yrs old. I'm waiting for it to die so I can get a Breville. We're in our new house now, and I chose to make space for the toaster oven in the pantry.