Best Appliance for Baking (ie. Frozen shrimp tempura or small pizza)

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trudilu

Assistant Cook
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
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39
Location
San Francisco
I have been cooking my favorite foods in my oven - and likely using up way to much energy.

At first I was looking at 'toaster ovens' but then I saw that this was often cooked in an air fryer of some kind.

I do not use any oil and when cooking in the oven they come out just right. Just looking for an appliance that will bake as needed. Most of the videos I've watched show that oil is being used...when in the oven - I don't use any oil at all.

Can someone recommend an appliance that I could bake these in? A layer of 5 shrimp tempura - sometimes a small 6" pizza. I don't know what to choose.

Thank you
 
search "countertop ovens" - these are larger / more flexible than the 'toaster oven' style
 
I bought an inexpensive Oster convection oven a few years ago and it works fine.
1677280872723.jpeg

I intentionally bought a low end model from Walmart because no matter how careful you are these small ovens tend to get gross after a few years.

Mine still works fine but the window has developed a brown tint that resists any reasonable effort to clean.
 
Aunt Bea, I'm with you on that.

trudilu, if that is really all you are cooking, follow Aunt Bea's advise. I also have a toaster oven, actually an Oster as well. I make my toast, cook a hamburger pattie, have done a full chicken, baked bread, spare-ribs.
I use it exactly as a larger oven but because I am cooking just for myself... small portions! Works for me and I think you will find it works for you.
If you cooked without oil in your large oven there is no reason you can't cook without oil in a smaller one.

BTW - Welcome to DC, trudilu

Aunt Bea
, use just what you would use on a regular oven door. I have even been known to use a razor - don't care about what "they" say about scratching the glass - works for me. My most common method though, is the Magic Eraser. Especially shortly after using the oven, while still warm, scrub with teh Eraser. Won't come clean the first time but with subsequent scrubbing, you will find it gets cleaner each time.
 
Thank you so much for your advice!

Yes it is all I am 'baking' these days....to heat up the oven probably uses too much energy. There are 5 shrimp tempuras in a package....as for the pizza - it's a small trader Joes size....want to be sure that it's safe and the baking is even.

I've looked at several 'toaster ovens' online - but many reviews said they weren't good for baking.

Should I just 'google' convection oven? When I looked up "shrimp tempura & cooking" it said to use an 'air fryer' vs. an oven. So, I was confused.

Please let me know. I love the way they turn out using the oven - but I use SO much energy.
 
Well, I have "baked" chicken (both whole and parts), cookies, bread, cupcakes, shrimp (both breaded, as in tempura, and roasted with a butter sauce). Plus lots of other sort of appetizer style foods.
I thought of getting one of the 'air fryers' but didn't like the restricted uses. Find a toaster oven is much more versatile not to mention price wise.
Unless you are thinking of the type of 'air fryer' such as the ninja fryer, the bucket or basket styles, to my way of thinking, are far too restrictive. But then you are now looking at a much pricier appliance.
There is an Oster Convection Oven that even has a pizza tray. Check this one out, Pizza tray, wheeeConvection Oven . this is a Canadian link so be sure to check your US Amazon, price will be a lot different (cheaper).
 
search "countertop ovens" - these are larger / more flexible than the 'toaster oven' style
I don't want a larger oven - I'd rather it be as small as possible, so I can put it in my stove when not in use. I don't have enough counterspace to keep a larger appliance out!
 
Well, I have "baked" chicken (both whole and parts), cookies, bread, cupcakes, shrimp (both breaded, as in tempura, and roasted with a butter sauce). Plus lots of other sort of appetizer style foods.
I thought of getting one of the 'air fryers' but didn't like the restricted uses. Find a toaster oven is much more versatile not to mention price wise.
Unless you are thinking of the type of 'air fryer' such as the ninja fryer, the bucket or basket styles, to my way of thinking, are far too restrictive. But then you are now looking at a much pricier appliance.
There is an Oster Convection Oven that even has a pizza tray. Check this one out, Pizza tray, wheeeConvection Oven . this is a Canadian link so be sure to check your US Amazon, price will be a lot different (cheaper).
I just looked this up on Amazon , and it cost $108. Not a bad price - but it looks kind of large and I don't have pizza that often. The reviews were also not very good.
I have the Emeril LaGasbag 360 air fryer oven. It is pricy but it will do just about anything you ask, except the dishes.

https://www.amazon.com/Emeril-Conve...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2XSCUGPRP571Q
This one looks great - but it's only me....and I should have mentioned that I won't be keeping it on top of my counter when not in use - would like to be able to store it in the oven and take it out when ready to bake.
 
I bought an inexpensive Oster convection oven a few years ago and it works fine.
View attachment 63698

I intentionally bought a low end model from Walmart because no matter how careful you are these small ovens tend to get gross after a few years.

Mine still works fine but the window has developed a brown tint that resists any reasonable effort to clean.
I found this on Amazon - is this the one you recommend?
 
Hi @trudilu! I have an Oster convection oven similar to Aunt Bea's, except it has two baking racks so I can put two trays/pans of food in at one time - such as tray of mixed veggies and a pan with fish or pork chops. If I leave just the bottom rack in, I can bake a lofty loaf of bread and not have the bread touch the top heating elements. I've had it going on five years, use it constantly, and it works like a champ. I think I got it at Walmart, I know I paid under $100.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you ended up with.

My oven:
...After months of debate, how big I was going to get, did I want one with or without a rotisserie, how about an air fryer option...I decided on an Oster Toaster Oven with Convection and two baking racks. The two racks will come in nice for two pans of scones, or a baking dish with protein and a second one with veggie or starch. I baked two individual pizzas at once today. Nice.
 
I found this on Amazon - is this the one you recommend?
I’m not recommending any of them but that is similar to the one that I purchased.

I was disappointed by the fact that these small countertop ovens cannot be used for heating frozen entrees in their original oven safe plastic trays. Also that many Pyrex type dishes and aluminum foil are not recommended.

I’m not convinced that it saves much if any money over the cost of using a traditional kitchen range especially when you factor in the cost of the unit and operating costs.

I do think that it is convenient for small tasks and cooler to operate during the hottest months of the year. I also like the fact that it shuts itself off when the timer runs down.

I enjoy using it but I’m not sure that I would bother buying another one when this one finally dies.

A microwave and conventional kitchen range are really all that I need.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Mine is about maybe 7/8 years old. It did not come with restrictions like Aunt Bea's, maybe because it's a newer model? I do heat frozen entrees in their original trays in it with no problem. Plus use my old Pyrex glass dishes as well.

I do NOT have the double shelves like CG and am jealous! In order to do Fish and Chips, I jury rig a tray for the chips on the bottom and an elevated rack balanced on top for the fish. LOL, one day I will have a disaster when it all goes flying across the floor but it works for me!

I preheat no more than 5 minutes max - and that alone, I think, is energy saving. The size of the oven, compared to a stove, I also believe is energy saving. JMHO.
 
Whoops! just read the last part of your latest post. Storing it in the oven?
Well, I'm sure you have your reasons.
No, they are not particularly heavy and so you could. You just might find it a little awkward and rather tiresome - that idea might get old faster than you think.
I imagine you will have to remove most of your racks, save the bottom one. Take your measurements carefully. AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE DON'T FORGET IT'S IN THERE! :eek: :innocent::blush::LOL:
 
I’m not recommending any of them but that is similar to the one that I purchased.

search "countertop ovens" - these are larger / more flexible than the 'toaster oven' style

I have the Emeril LaGasbag 360 air fryer oven. It is pricy but it will do just about anything you ask, except the dishes.

https://www.amazon.com/Emeril-Conve...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2XSCUGPRP571Q

I was disappointed by the fact that these small countertop ovens cannot be used for heating frozen entrees in their original oven safe plastic trays. Also that many Pyrex type dishes and aluminum foil are not recommended.
So this one doesn't cook frozen dinners (like Lean Cuisine)?

I’m not convinced that it saves much if any money over the cost of using a traditional kitchen range especially when you factor in the cost of the unit and operating costs.
If it doesn't save energy over use of a conventional electric stove - then I don't need one at all. I was getting one because i thought it might save energy - thus my PG&E costs! If that is case, then I don't really need one.
 
Whoops! just read the last part of your latest post. Storing it in the oven?
Well, I'm sure you have your reasons.
No, they are not particularly heavy and so you could. You just might find it a little awkward and rather tiresome - that idea might get old faster than you think.
I imagine you will have to remove most of your racks, save the bottom one. Take your measurements carefully. AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE DON'T FORGET IT'S IN THERE! :eek: :innocent::blush::LOL:
I have to store anything I might buy in the oven because I don't have much countertop space. So, I would have to buy something that is 'small' - but just able to bake 'shrimp tempura & small pizzas (both frozen)

This one definitely sounds too heavy and inconvenient.
 
I also have a toaster oven, actually an Oster as well. I make my toast, cook a hamburger pattie, have done a full chicken, baked bread, spare-ribs. I use it exactly as a larger oven but because I am cooking just for myself... small portions!

Maybe I should have been clearer. I felt that turning on my electric oven - just to cook 'shrimp tempura & a small pizza (both frozen) - took up a lot of energy. So I was looking for an appliance that baked that items as I would in the oven. It has to be small and be able to fit into my 'oven' when I am not using it. What I normally do is take a glass baking pan lined with a silicon sheet - and place the 6 shrimp on 1 layer. I have to heat the oven first and then cook on each side for 10 minutes!!!

 
If it doesn't save energy over use of a conventional electric stove - then I don't need one at all. I was getting one because i thought it might save energy - thus my PG&E costs! If that is case, then I don't really need one.
It doesn’t seem to make any difference in my monthly utility bill but I live in an apartment and rarely go above the monthly minimum included in the delivery charges. My bill for cooking gas and electricity usually runs approximately $60.00, heat and hot water are included in the rent.

Check with PG&E to see if they can give you some guidance on what might be the best way to cut expenses.

Good luck!
 
I own a house in SF, and it has been COLD lately - so my PG&E bills have gone through the roof!!! My normal rate is $50 - now that I run the central air, it has gone up to over $100 or more!!! I was just looking for small ways to cut down on my electricity use - and since I have an 'electric' oven - I thought an appliance would save me a little bit of money....but if not, I may not buy one until I'm sure it would be significant change....

And I WILL call PG&E but I know they will tell me to turn down the heat - which I won't do because I'm COLD!
 
You'll have to get one of our knowledgeable people here to show you how to calculate the usage cost of your stove and of a countertop appliance. Takes a bit of math with wattage and times.
But really your PG&E people should know how to do it AND be willing to help you figure it out. Tell them you're going to switch over to natural gas/propane if they can't figure it out. LOL
 

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