And the Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven we tested, which normally costs over $700, uses Calrod elements, which are typically found in cheaper models. So, it’s not always worth paying more for certain elements, as performance varies with every oven. Lastly, if a microwave also functions as a toaster oven, convection oven or air fryer, we also put those features to the test by toasting bread, baking a cake and air frying chicken wings. The oven cavity is large enough to fit a 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven or a 6-quart Lodge Dutch oven —just know that their weight will cause the oven rack to bend slightly.
She’s been testing kitchen appliances professionally since 2013 and has worked at kitchen appliance companies where she helped develop microwaves as well as many recipes for them. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer. Nicole oversaw the most recent side-by-side testing of 10 microwaves. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer is a trained chef who has tested everything from ranges to juicers to kitchen scales to blenders. Eva conducted the most recent side-by-side testing of 10 new microwave models. While Eva doesn’t cook in a microwave everyday she loves the convenience of being able to quickly melt butter or make a personal mug cake in a microwave.
The GE Quartz and the GE Clarod ovens performed similarly in our tests (even though the quartz model costs $25 more). The KitchenAid KCO211BM didn’t toast as evenly as our picks. It’s common for most frigidaire gallery dishwasher toasters to release steam while toasting, so don’t be alarmed. This is a normal occurrence, especially if the bread is particularly moist. The Hamilton Beach oven comes with a one-year warranty.
But we haven’t yet tested one where the features feel worth the investment for most people. In our tests, we found it interesting to watch the microwave use inverter technology to determine how much time was needed to pop a bag of popcorn. The results were less than .2 ounces of unpopped kernels remaining. And in our heat distribution testing, this model did not overcook cheese as it was melting, unlike other models we tested. This model comes with the most basic accessories, including an oven rack, a baking pan, and a crumb tray.
But this idiosyncrasy didn’t negatively impact any of the items we cooked—most toaster ovens heat at least 10 to 15 degrees over or under the set temperature anyway. The easy-to-read and clean control panel also offers a kitchen timer, clock, +30 seconds button, defrost, memory and keep warm button. We love the keep warm feature that can be added at the beginning of the cook cycle and will run for up to 30 minutes after a cook cycle ends. The sensor cook button has an impressive 14 presets for everything from oatmeal to fish fillets, but hold onto your owner’s manual because those are a lot of codes to remember. We’ve learned through research done by The Ohio State University that slot toasters aren’t built to last (you can read more about OSU’s in-depth work in our blog post). Since most modern slot toasters aren’t repairable, they’re destined for a landfill once they give out.
This pick also offers a mute button to turn off beeps and alerts when the cooking time ends. We love the handlebar design for opening the door — rather than a button you push — because it’s more ergonomic. Just make sure to hold onto the instruction manual as it lists all the presets which are not listed on the control panel. Microwaves provide fast results, are easy to use and offer lots of versatility. Whether you want speedy microwave meals and snacks, need to defrost chicken in a pinch or soften brown sugar that has gone hard, microwaves help get the job done quickly. “I typically just use the highest setting for the fastest results,” says Kitchen Appliances Lab Director, Nicole Papantoniou.