My only two cents is do not buy a digital - they go up and down (shut up everyone) in 25 degree increments, so you can't 'fine tune' it for delicate baking. I would buy a dial model - probably cheaper, too. Convection is good. A toaster oven is, IMHO, just thin sheet metal wrapped around a few heating elements so I wouldn't spend bucks.

I like our Krups better than any TO we've ever had by a long shot. It seems that paying more did help. A pie plate will certainly fit, but not my 12-cup muffin tin. Truthfully, though, we never bake anything in small enough quantities not to use our oven, so just use the Krups as a toaster oven...(re)warming, crisping, browning, and toasting.

Oh yeah I looked at the Krups. A few years ago....maybe its changed...but it was the only one that had six elements (three on top and bottom). All the other ones had four. Nice unit.

rhome410's post reminded me - don't forget to take your favorite pans etc. to the store to see if they will fit. I hear ya on the electrical savings and not heating up the house.

My Cusinart does just about everything I want it to do: bake a small cast iron skillet of cornbread, an 8" pie plate of breakfast casserole, hold a 10" pizza pan, a small Corningware casserole, toasts all kinds of breads and English muffins, bakes biscuits, and finish off bbq ribs/pork chops, etc. after searing them on the stove top. And....I hardly had the large oven on at all this summer.

Teresa

I almost went for the Cuisinart, but in the model I was looking at, the crumb tray pulled out from the back instead of the front. I didn't want to have to pull the appliance all the way out or turn it around to do that (mine sits on a 30" counter with a wall on one side and fridge on the other, so not a lot of room.) Also, I felt it would be hazardous for the times it's necessary to pull out that tray when it might be hot.

I couldn't be happier with my Cuisanart. It does a great job, and I use it for all baking/broiling needs. The crumb try has never been an issue.

Why would you need to pull out the crumb tray if the oven is hot? I jsut empty it when I wipe the rest of the oven down during normal cleaning (when the appliance is off/cold.)

I have the Cuisinart too. But I gave up baking in it - digital - things either over or undercooked. I want a temp inbetween 325 and 350!

Wait a minute...there's a crumb tray??? I have been trying to clean my Cuisinart for months. I think had better read the manual.

I found out that DH focused on the "toaster" aspect and wasn't putting anything on a pan 'cause you don't use a pan for a "toaster". Idiot!

You can't go wrong with the Cuisinart Toaster/convection oven. I've had mine for about 5 years now. Great for small casseroles or small roasts/chickens. And mine gets used almost every day just for toast. Makes the best toast. And if you look at Consumers Reports they still rate the Cuisinart (Cuisinart TOB-175) as the best.

Cuisinart TOB-175

If you are looking for something a little less expensive, they rate the Fal Avante Elite Convection and the Rival TO600 as Best Buys.

Ann

I don't have a 'toaster' oven. I have a Cuisinart Brick Oven and use it for EVERYTHING that fits, which is 99% of my baking: casseroles, bread, pita bread, cookies, roasting veggies, pizza, and surely foods I am forgetting about. It holds a 10x10 pan. It doesn't have a timer, but I have to be attached to one anyway so I don't forget something is in the oven-LOL. It doesn't have a temp indicator either. I put a thermometer inside the oven to be sure it is up to temp. It is a little pricey, however a 20% off coupon gets it to $200, which is close to some of the other suggestions. I'll admit we use a Dualit toaster.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cuisinart Brick Oven-200

We have an older version of the Delonghi convection oven from Williams-Sonoma. It's smaller than the Cuisinart and a better fit in the corner of the countertop where it resides. Between the little Delonghi and the grill in the back yard we didn't use the oven in our range at all this summer.

Why would you need to pull out the crumb tray if the oven is hot?

1) Sometimes when cleanup is being done, the TO is still hot.

2) When things drop through that are burning on the tray as you are still trying to use the oven, or someone starts it not noticing the crumb tray needs cleaning because there are crumbs or spills that will smoke or burn, the crumb tray needs to come out 'now' rather than later. If I were the only cook in the kitchen, I suppose I could control that better, but in our family, it happens. I guess it must not an issue for everyone, but for us it is, and I thought it might be a consideration for others buying a new TO.

Another vote for the Cuisinart toaster/convection oven. The only thing I'd change is to put a light inside. :)

Pam

Thanks for all the info.

cotehele, I was tempted by the web ads for the 'brick' component, and did notice there is a deluxe model of yours. Have two processors by Cuisinart and have not had any problems in their many years of uheavy use.

Have heard about an inline kilowatt checker and plan to get one to measure the energy used.