using the oven for a toaster

18 years ago

I don't eat toast very often. Certainly not enough to justify the space a toaster would take up on my counter. Everyone once in a while, I get a craving for it with breakfast. I've tried to toast in my oven, but I can't seem to get the temperature right. My toast is always dry and hard before it's browned. I've tried the oven at 400 and 425 during previous experiments. I have a gas oven. Should I use a cookie sheet, or just place the bread right on the rack? My microwave has a toaster oven feature, but it says right in the manual that feature is for browning pre-cooked items, not making toast. They were right... I had the same results trying to use that feature as I did in the gas oven. Plus I had to remove 3 pieces, put in two more and change three settings... not fun! Anyone have any tips for using the oven as a toaster? What temperature does a countertop toaster run at anyway? Thanks

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Comments (14)

shaun
18 years ago
I wouldnt bake it, I'd broil it, that will brown it nicely but you have to flip it over.
antiquesilver
18 years ago
Use the broiler.
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This is a neat thread -- I'm a gadget freak, but mostly the are hand-powered type. But electric... On the counter and used daily: Small microwave Can opener that actually opens tall cans [I have arthritis and manual openers are a literal pain to use.] DH's 2-cup coffee maker 2-slice toaster; why don't they make 3-slice toasters? Small toaster oven which I *never* use but DH does -rarely-I keep trying to get it off the counter and that reminds him he wants to use it. In a convenient cabinet and used at least weekly: 3 qt crockpot, the standard deep type. I'd love an oval shape that would be easier to use for lasagna or roasts. Bread machine, the one that makes regular-shaped loaves. I wore out 2 and killed one before this darlin'. Electric knife. Heavy-duty handheld KitchenAid mixer. I killed seven and severely injured another 5 in between my original Sunbeam (which worked well for almost 30 years) and getting this one. A mini-chopper. Location, location, location. Right now it's in a bad neighborhood-when it's on the counter it's used daily. Waffle iron -- this should go into the seasonal storage. In storage but used seasonally or often enough to be worth the space: 5 qt crockpot, another 3-qt would be more useful; 2-qt would be wonderful but are apparently non-existent. 1 qt crockpot, actually used fairly often but not enough to rate good storage space. Immersible blender- it lives in a worse neighborhood than the minichopper. Large KitchenAid food processor... if I had more counterspace, it would be out. Probably put it where that toaster oven is. Deep fryer [some day it will go into the yard sale box] Vittoria tomato saucer - I'd give up the food processor before I let go of this! Deli-style meat slicer; it was great for meats and cheeses, but now the littluns have grown up, it should go to the yard sale. A pot-stirrer. Naturally, after I got it, I discovered the crockpots are great for making jam and fruit butters without stirring. Vacuum packer for freezer bags -- not really satisfactory. This is the only appliance that I'm totally sorry I bought. Vacuum breadkeeper: a bad purchase because the seals quickly wore out. Not really worth the effort of fixing. Electric frying pan. I used it daily when I had an electric stove, but now I've got a gas stove and this pan should be in the go-box. Mini-frying pan, same as above. Dehydrator. Yes, it's used. Rice steamer. Takes 40 minutes; family can't tell the difference from 20-minute boiled rice, but this thing never burns the rice. I use it more when the microwave is dead - it's okay for re-heating vegs. Blender, used it when I had it; don't miss it now it's gone. Yoghurt maker, ditto above. I have wanted for years and can't find: the machine that vacuum seals cans. Hmmm, maybe I should look into those mason jars...
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dixiedog_2007
18 years ago
Agree with the above advice. You need to be broiling it. But I want to add that they sell very inexpensive toasters that are quite small now. They don't have to sit on the countertop.
jessyf
18 years ago
How about a camping toaster? Do you have a gas range? I can't remember.

Here is a link that might be useful: google images 'camping toaster'
Lars
18 years ago
Jessy's right - if you have a gas range, you should be making it on the stove top. I've made toast in an iron skillet, which is similar to making a grilled cheese sandwich, but without the cheese. I also like making grilled toast on the barbeque, which is my favorite. I do butter it, however - generally with garlic butter.

Lars
centralcacyclist
18 years ago
I've incinerated a lot of bread trying to make toast with my oven broiler. You have to watch it very closely.
fandlil
18 years ago
A bit of history: in the old days they used to toast bread over an open fire. I have a pretty old brass toasting fork that was used for that purpose. Now it's just on display.

Toast is called for in Chicken (or veal) Marengo, a dish that is associated with Napolean because it was supposedly invented for him by a peasant in Marengo when he was at war there. The Marengo recipes say to fry the bread in olive oil.
loagiehoagie
18 years ago
Hey Bobby, sell your collection of vacuum cleaners and start collecting vintage toasters! That would free up a lot of space and solve your problem-o!

Toast
by Heywood Banks

All around the country and coast to coast
People always say, "what do you like most?"
I donÂt want to brag, I donÂt want to boast
I always tell Âem, "I like toast."
YEAH, TOAST!!
YEAH, TOAST!!

I get up in the morning Âbout six A.M.
Have a little jelly, have a little jam
Take a piece of bread, put it in the slot
Push down the lever and the wires get hot,
I get toast.
YEAH, TOAST!
YEAH, TOAST!

Now, thereÂs no secret to toasting perfection
ThereÂs a dial on the side and you make your selection
Push to the dark or the light and then
If it pops too soon, press down again
Make toast.
YEAH, TOAST!
YEAH, TOAST!

When the first caveman drove in from the dreegs
DidnÂt know what would go with the bacon and the eggs
Must have met a genius, got it in his head
Plug the toaster in the wall, buy a bag of bread
Make toast.
YEAH, TOAST!
YEAH, TOAST!

Oui Monsieur, bonjour coquette,
Une croissant? Et vous auvent?
Maurice Chevalier, Eiffel Tower,
Oui Marie, baguette, bonsoir!
FRENCH TOAST!
FRENCH TOAST!

In Chicago or (fill in location).....
TOAST!!!!
jamie_mt
18 years ago
I have a toaster, but we eat toast so rarely that when I do make it (or toast/warm any breads, really), I always use the broiler. I have an electric oven though, so I have no idea how one works on a gas stove. I simply put the top rack into the uppermost position, put the boiler on 500 degrees, spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray, spray the bread with cooking spray, and stick it in.

I just check it every few minutes or so...not sure how long, but I'm usually at the stove cooking something else anyways.

Works great - try it! :-)
lpinkmountain
18 years ago
Phooey, do what I did, buy a tiny 10 buck toaster! I lived for years without one, and burned up dozens of pieces of bread. Plus, it costs a bunch more to heat up those big coils in your oven than a small toaster.
azzalea
18 years ago
I prefer toast made under the gas broiler to that done in an an electric toaster--it as a slightly different taste. My (electric) toaster is very slow--it's actually faster for me to make toast in the broiler (and you can do more slices at once.) But yes, you do have to babysit it. Turn your back and you've got one portion of the universal antidote on hand--LOL
beanthere_dunthat
18 years ago
Another who used the broiler here. Especially since I like to butter the toast THEN broile it. (Weird, yes, but it is a texture thing w/me.)

I did finally decide on the Cuisanart toaster oven, though, and it does a fine job on toast. I don't feel guilty about heating up the whole oven for one piece of toast anymore.
vacuumfreak
Original Author
18 years ago
I do have a gas range. I will try the broiler the next time a craving hits. I don't use my ice cream maker, food dehydrator, vacuum sealer, or salad spinner... I keep them "just in case" and barely have room for them... I do not want to add a toaster to that list when I only want toast once every three months! I just got a coffee maker for guests since I don't drink coffee... all I can say is the clock comes in very handy. It gets used once a month at the most. Usually when I make that kind of breakfast, the oven is already on for the bacon anyway, so it will be really easy!
loagiehoagie
18 years ago
Bobby, I know what ya mean. After the CF inspired me to buy a rice cooker last month I took a box of kitchen gadgets down to basement storage...Quesadilla maker, George Foreman grill, sandwich maker, one of 2 electric choppers, Panini maker....etc. etc. etc.

Love the gadgets but rarely use 'em.

Breakfast is one of my favorite go out to eat meals. Usually eggs, hash browns, bacon/sausage/ham and toast = $1.99 - no cleanup either!

Duane

using the oven for a toaster

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shaun

antiquesilver

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