Advice Needed -- countertop oven

16 years ago

Hi all,

I've realized that the one mistake I made in my kitchen remodel 5 years ago was not going for the wall oven. Hindsight is 20/20, and all. Anyway, there is no space in my kitchen, but I do have a 6x12 pantry/laundry room where I could put something (it already houses the microwave, freezer & "beer fridge" in addition to washer & dryer, so another appliance should be fine in there). DH says no wall oven due to lack of exhaust, but I'm thinking I can at least get a countertop oven.

I really need this oven to bake well more than anything. I'd like to use it as backup for the holidays, as well as on the occasions when i don't want to heat up the big oven for something small. It should accomodate at least a 9x13 pan, or a large pie. I don't need it to toast as I already have a toaster oven.

Any advice or recommendations? All input is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (7)

chris03
16 years ago
Have you looked into a Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven? I am considering one myself and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The interior dimensions (13.5" x 11.5" x 5" high) should accommodate your pan/pie sizes.
buffalotina
16 years ago
I have the Breville oven, purchased in lieu of a second wall oven. It is OK...but I find the interface is overkill, too many options/presets when all I want is time and temperature. It is somewhat flimsy. I wish now I had thought to look at commercial countertop ovens. Granted they are more expensive but I saw one recenty at a restaurant supply place and they are really so much more sturdy. They are roomy and I would bet that they do a better job than the Breville as far as basic baking. Good luck!
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hudsonleigh
Original Author
16 years ago
I looked at the Breville on the Wms Sonoma site....it did look good, but when I did a search I did find that some people said the same about it seeming a little flimsy. Other than that, I think all the reviews were good. I also foud a Cadco commercial model, but I'm not willing to pay that kind of $$$.

Curious, though, Buffalotina, do you find that the Breville gets very hot on the outside? I am concerned about heat build-up from these things, and I wonder if they are insulated like a regular wall oven would be?
buffalotina
16 years ago
Oh yes, the thing gets very hot, no insulation whatsoever to speak of...but it's obvious you DON"T TOUCH such an appliance when it's in operation. It's quite bulky too - frankly I would not be happy with it on the main countertop in my kitchen... I have it back in my breakfast nook which has become a de facto Butler's Pantry and contains my unsightly cheapo fridge, microwave and the Breville oven. My newly remodelled kitchen looks much better, IMHO, for the absence of the gadgetry on the countertops. The exception is my Breville toaster which is used constantly... now that IS a fine gadget, and sturdy.

As far as the Breville oven goes, I use it for frozen pizza and the like. I have also baked fish etc in it but I would never attempt a cake or anything. Perhaps it would be fine, I don't know. It is handy when you need only a small oven for reheating and the like. I certainly think it is nicer than most of the toaster ovens out there - as it should be for the price :).

Good luck!
dan_no_9
16 years ago
Is the Cuisinart Brick Oven too small? Might be.
weedmeister
16 years ago
"DH says no wall oven due to lack of exhaust.."

What exhaust? You're talking electric, right? There is no exhaust, though it may 'vent' out the front. A small (24"-27") inexpensive wall oven would be just fine.
hudsonleigh
Original Author
16 years ago
weedmeister - when I initially raised the idea of putting a small regular wall oven in the pantry, my DH said it wasn't a good idea since there's no means of exhaust in that room. His concern, I think, was heat build-up in a small room. That's why I was thinking of a countertop size oven, and was wondering about how hot they get. Also, I'm trying to figure out where I can place it if it gets really hot, eg, if I put it on the shelf next to the microwave, could it potentially burn the bottom of the shelf above? Or is it too hot to be placed on the same wall as the fridge or freezer?