Most people prefer buying a microwave toaster oven combo compared to buying two separate appliances since it operates well and will save on some counter space. Although microwave ovens and toaster ovens are perfect in their own ways, the information you’re going to read in this article summarizes the pros of both appliances which may lead you to choose one instead of the other.
If you select the right appliance, you will save most of your counter space plus you’ll be combining all the vital functions by having one microwave toaster oven instead of two separate appliances. The best way to find the perfect microwave oven combo that toasts is search for one which will integrate the versatility of a toaster oven as well as the speed of a microwave.
Similar to most of the popular product category, the microwave toaster oven combo is liked by a lot of people and we have outlined some products that you can select from. For instance, the Panasonic Flash Xpress Toaster Oven is a versatile and affordable unit which will handle all its tasks well.
Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo
The list includes some of the highly rated microwave ovens that toast which are currently available in the market. The units normally include a little premium instead of regular toaster oven or microwave oven, however, their space-saving feature and versatility is what makes them worth the investment.
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1. Breville BOV845SS Smart Oven Pro
When looking at microwave toaster ovens, Breville is a popularly known household name whose appliances don’t disappoint. It’s powered by Quartz Elements with 1800W and is designed from stainless steel.
The unit is equipped using smart Element IQ, making it capable of spreading its heat to when and where it is required, providing you with the best results when looking at cooking speed and heat distribution. This microwave oven that toasts is also among the few appliances which combine a digital control panel with interior lighting, thus making it very easy to operate and user-friendly.
Features
The Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro measures 18.5 inches by 15.75 inches by 11 inches and can fit at least six bread slices at a go. The unit also comes with a 13-inch non-stick pan, which will allow you to re-heat and bake 12-inch pizzas easily.
High Powered 1800W Smart Elements
There are 5 Quartz elements found at the top and bottom of the microwave oven which are controlled by patented Element IQ, that helps to distribute heat to the required areas. This function is made possible by a convection fan that circulates heat evenly. In addition, food can be cooked and heated fast while the texture and crunchiness is preserved.
Huge Interior Dimensions
This microwave toaster oven measures 0.8 cubic foot and contains on of the best exterior versus interior dimensions. It is pretty compact and will not take a lot of your countertop space.
Included Accessories
Unlike some of the models available in the market, this microwave oven that can toast comes inclusive of numerous accessories such as:
- A 12-inch by 12-inch enamel baking pan
- A 13-inch non-stick pan
- A 12-inch by 12-inch enamel broiling pan
What We Like
The Breville BOV845BSS smart oven bakes perfect pizzas and delicious cookies, toasts evenly, reheats food in a short period of time and roasts succulent meat. The reason behind the premium it commands and its popularity is because it is great at getting the job complete beyond the user’s expectations.
All Rounder Microwave Toaster Oven
This microwave oven that toasts puts together the advantages of toaster ovens and microwave ovens by heating quickly incorporating Quartz Elements as well as versatile toaster oven-like features which encompass up to 10 preset functions.
Unique Slow Cook Function
Although a lot of ovens are designed with 60 minutes or 120 minutes timers, this microwave oven that toasts features a slow cook setting which can last up to 10 hours. This function is mostly used to tenderize meat.
Auto-eject Baking Tray
The unit comes inclusive of a magnetic baking tray which ejects itself whenever the door is opened, and still prevents common injuries as you remove the tray manually from the oven.
Exceptional Build Quality
This microwave toaster oven combo is designed from brushed stainless steel, adding a touch of elegance to it as well as durability together with sufficient sturdiness.
What Could be Better?
Despite all its disadvantages, there are several improvements which can be performed so that the microwave toaster oven can become more perfect.
High Price Point
Unlike most of the microwave ovens that can toast, the Breville BOV845BSS happens to be a little on the expensive side. However, there are several other units with lesser functions that are more expensive than this one, which is why we feel that it provides you with a great price-to-performance ratio.
Special Mentions: This smart oven series by Breville comprises of several other units that have the same functions but at varying prices in case you feel that the BOV845SS model is a little uninviting.
- Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven with Element IQ (check price)
Capacity: 4 slices
Price Group: Moderate
- Breville BOV650XL Compact Smart Toaster Oven (check price)
Capacity: 6 slices
Price Group: High
- Breville BOV800XL Smart Convection Toaster Oven with Element IQ (check price)
Capacity: 6 slices
Price Group: Premium
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2. Panasonic PAN-NB-G110PW Flash Xpress
Panasonic are very popular because of their ability to incorporate infrared heating technology in their microwave ovens that can toast. Unlike microwave ovens which utilize electromagnetic waves and regular toaster ovens that incorporate heating elements, the Panasonic Flash Xpress utilizes infrared heating technology which is good for cooking and heating food quickly.
This is one od the units which doesn’t compromise in terms of picking the perfect microwave toaster oven combo. It doesn’t take a lot of time to preheat like an ordinary microwave oven, and it will also be able to brown as well as toast your food just like a regular toaster oven would.
Features
The greatest selling point of this unit is its dual infrared heating technology. The oven doesn’t need to be preheated, unlike a regular toaster oven, and it will still maintain its versatility in tasting and baking foods.
“FlashXpress” Double Infrared Light
The unit can cook at least 40% faster that how a traditional toaster oven would and at the same time, it eliminates preheating for quicker cooking (utilizing temperatures of between 250 degrees and 500 degrees F).
Automatic Digital Calculation
It includes preset settings that automatically calculate the time you need to cook frozen foods, bread, reheating and baking, which will prevent you from having to guess the amount of time you require.
6 Preset Menu Functions
Most of the regular cooking tasks are automatically set by just a click of a button. The preset settings available include Quick Reheat, Pizza, Toast, Roll, Hash Brown and Waffle. However, you’ll still be able to perform other tasks like baking cookies by adjusting the settings manually.
Included Accessories
The accessories available in the Panasonic Flash Xpress toaster oven include:
- A 9-inch by 9-inch baking tray
- A 9-inch by 9-inch inner tray
- A removable crumb tray
What We Like
The Panasonic Flash Xpress comes with numerous features despite it being an average-range priced appliance. This is what enables it to dominate the infrared oven section for many years and also be able to have a good number of loyal customers who swear by it.
Versatile Food Options
By combining the versatility of a toaster oven with the convenience of a microwave oven, this unit offers several other functions other than fast heating of food. It can toast bagels, bread, croissants, English muffins and other pastries without difficulty, or even bake party snacks and pizza within a short time. The microwave toaster combo can also be used to bake onion rings and French fries using its hash brown setting.
Precise Temperature Control
It has a digital control panel that provides more precise control opposed to the traditional knob controllers. Although the digital control isn’t ad precise like those found on smart toaster ovens, the panel still provides eight different incremental functions that range from 250 degrees F to 500 degrees F.
Easy Repair
The Panasonic Flash Xpress oven cooks with the help of three infrared light bulbs which are easily replaceable if they stop functioning unlike other ovens which solely rely on microwave or heating elements. All you need to do is unscrew the old bulb and install the new one. The bulbs are available at the following price ranges:
- ABA80-17500U heater – $22.25
- ABA86-17500U heater – $44.15
- ABA83-1700U heater – $17.55
What Could Be Better
As you know, there’s no perfect microwave oven, and the Panasonic Xpress toaster oven is no exception. The following are several things that could be improved so that it can become a more desirable appliance:
Weirdly Placed power Cord
Most ovens have their power cords at the back, however, the Panasonic Flash Xpress toaster oven’s power cord is found at and awkward place, it is at the left side of the oven (close to the front of the oven). This can be an inconvenience when your counter top space is limited or the power outlet is located at the right side.
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3. Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology
Although this unit is typically a microwave oven, it has been included in the list because it has a unique inverter technology. Unlike a traditional microwave oven which utilizes electromagnetic pulses, this inverter microwave utilizes consistent waves that produce a steady stream of heating power.
This results to a more consistent and evenly cooked food – from the center to the edges, across different kinds of food items and cooking methods. The Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ is included because it is a recommended microwave toaster oven combo.
It measures 15.8 inches by 20.7 inches by 12.2 inches meaning that it doesn’t have a small footprint but its converter technology uses little space than most electronics and offers a lot of interior capacity. This is a compact oven with interior dimensions of 14.4 inches by 13.9 inches by 9.9 inches which is enough to fit a 12-inch pizza an also trays that have handles.
Features
The most attractive feature of this unit is its inverter technology, but it can also be considered a s an all-rounder that performs even better in various models including keep warm, reheat and defrost. One of the most outstanding features is its Genius Sensor cook.
Inverter Technology
Traditional microwave ovens utilize periodic electromagnetic waves during the heating process. One of the disadvantages of using this method is that the surface will often be burnt with high energy while the center will become undercooked. The inverter technology offers more consistent heating continuously, similar to a toaster oven. This will then leave you with evenly cooked food as well as a crispier surface, just as the results you would receive from a regular toaster oven.
Genius Sensor Feature
The Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ is equipped with a Genius Sensor that detects steam that comes from the heated food and will automatically calculate the optimal cooking time and temperature. Because of this, be sure to always check that the glass container is dry (since when moisture is converting into steam, it can mislead the sensor) and that you don’t open the door before your food is completely cooked. This can lead to an inaccurate cooking duration because the steam coming from the food will no longer be contained in the cavity of the oven.
Auto Cook Functions
The Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ comes inclusive of 12 different settings that will cater for most of the regular items on the menu such as vegetables, frozen entrees, soup, pasta, oatmeal and pizza.
What We Like
Apart from it being affordable and having smart features, the unit has earned its good reputation from customers who have used it before. Most people describe it as “the best microwave they have ever owned”.
Faster Than Usual Microwave
Because of the inverter technology, this microwave that toasts cooks and heats food much quicker than how a regular oven would. Evidently, when there is a consistent electromagnetic output, the oven will achieve better and faster results than those produced by periodic bursts of waves. For example, it will easily heat a bowl of soup in just 20 seconds and boil water in 45 seconds.
Easy Cleaning
The turn-table that is found in this microwave toaster oven is easy to remove for cleaning purposes, plus the interior surface can be wiped without difficulty with a damp cloth since the walls are made from non-stick materials.
Poach, Braise and Steam Very Well
Since delicate foods such as salmon can easily get their texture destroyed, the inverter technology’s consistent heating and optimal setting featuring Genius Sensor will enable these types of food to simmer and not overcook. Salmon can easily be poached in the oven and still retain the texture leaving you with great results.
What Could Be Better
Interior Light Settings
The Panasonic NN-SN651BAZ’s interior light will only go on when put on cooking mode. The light doesn’t go on whenever the door is opened like in most of the other microwave toaster ovens. Although you will still be able to observe the oven cavity using surround lighting, it would be better if the interior light could be programmed to go on whenever the door is opened.
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4. Samsung MG14H3020CM Counter Top Grill Microwave
This is another microwave oven we included on this list that performs perfectly as a microwave oven that toasts well. The Samsung MG14H3020 Counter Top Grill Microwave is an exceptional unit which combines the convenience and speed of a regular oven with the toasting capability of a traditional toaster oven.
The appliance includes a Grilling Element as well as a ceramic plate that you can use to prepare various crispy foods like pizza. Since traditional microwave ovens cannot toast or brown food, the grilling elements are perfect for preparing bacon, sandwiches, fish as well as other kinds of foods that can use a crispy finish.
With the dimensions of 12.3 inches by 21.1 inches by 18 inches, the MG14H3020 requires quite a lot of counter space. However, the interior is also spacious, measuring 10.4 inches by 14.8 inches by 15.4 inches with a 1.4 cubic foot. The appliance is hard to lift and move since it weighs 41.9 pounds. The microwave toaster oven is not portable and is actually supposed to be a semi-permanent appliance on the countertop.
Features
The best feature of this appliance is the grilling elements which are not available in other microwave ovens. The gilling elements imitate the heating elements that are found in a toaster oven instead of applying electromagnetic waves so that food can be cooked and heated. This is what contributes to the crisping and browning of food.
With the grilling elements being found at the top part of the oven cavity, the manufacturers include a raised platform which helps in lifting the food, so that it can become crunchy and crisp. For instance, your pizza crust can be toasted crispy and browned, bagels are also suited for this setting.
Ceramic Enamel Interior
Unlike other models that are made from stainless steel, the MG14H3020 microwave has an interior made from ceramic enamel which can be cleaned easily and is resistant to scratch. It is also non-stick and food can be wiped off with ease using a damp cloth.
Full Digital Control
The control panel is entirely digital and it includes 10 power level options alongside an LED display. Normal menu items are available in the auto cook settings, including pizza, popcorn, auto-defrost, potato, kids’ meals, snack, melt/soften, cook and grill.
Shiny Mirror Exterior
The microwave’s exterior is constructed from a clean and shiny textured metal finish, that gives it a sophisticated appearance.
What We Like
There are numerous factors that make this microwave toaster oven combo likable and its versatility is among them.
Grill/ Microwave/ Combo Mode
This feature tends to be confusing at first, but the grill rack found in this Samsung microwave oven is not limited to grilling only. You can also use it for combo cooking so as to improve the distribution of heat and texture of foods like pasta, pizza and crusts.
Fast Cooking with Lower Wattage
The oven runs on moderately low wattage of 950 watts, which happens to be lower than what most of the other taster and microwave ovens use (some use as much as 1800W). However, the cooking speed is not affected since the unit cooks the same as other microwave ovens.
Energy Efficient
Since the oven runs on low wattage rating, it is more energy efficient which makes the cost of electricity usage even lesser. This is all possible even with the inclusion of a separate grilling element which is not available in other microwave toaster ovens.
Highly Affordable
The price range of the Samsung MG14H3020CM Counter Top Grill Microwave is average compared to some of the more reputable companies. However, note that the units do not come inclusive of grilling elements. When you consider the features available as well as the construction quality, the unit is quite a good bargain.
What Could Be Better?
Though the MG14H3020 microwave oven is very efficient and versatile, there are a couple of aspects that might make you doubt its capability.
Door Doesn’t Eject Upon Pressing Lever
A lever can be found at the lower right corner of the unit, which can be pressed in order to unlock the door. However, the action doesn’t automatically eject the door as you would expect. In fact, you’ll need to press the lever with one hand as you open the door using the other hand simultaneously.
Reflective Door Makes It Hard to See Through
Although the textured glass found on the door adds a sophisticated appearance to the microwave oven, it makes it difficult for one to see through it. you won’t be able to monitor the progress of food you’re cooking like you would when using other models.
Conclusion
You now have the list of some of the best microwave toaster oven combo category. Since they are among the most preferred and popular units available in the market, you cannot go wrong with any of them.
If you’d like to buy a single unit to replace both your microwave oven and toaster oven, then this combo is the ideal choice that puts together the best of each world.
