Appliance Reviews

I just recently bought the Cuisinart TOB-30 Classic Toaster Oven Broiler and I love it. When using a toaster oven, crumbs and food often fall below, making a huge mess in the bottom of the oven. Well, the TOB-30 has a metal tray at the bottom that simply slides out for EASY cleaning. Also, this toaster can hold 6 stuffed peppers, a 5 pound chicken, or a 9 inch pie. So, it is practical for everyone, whether you just want to make toast or cook an evening meal. It is the perfect size, easy to use, and most important-SO EASY TO CLEAN. Definately worth the money.

I like this appliance. It's no-nonsense. The design is straight-forward. The oven heats quickly. And the toaster does a better job than my conventional toaster. It browns the toast, yet retains the flavor of the bread. I haven't used the broiler yet. After two weeks of use, I'm extremely pleased with this purchase.

This is the nicest toaster oven I've even used. It has the most even heat and reproducible results. As an oven, it's better than most full-size ovens, provided what you want to cook will fit. Since this is a fairly large toaster oven, it can fit most small meals. The convection function is very handy if you're in a hurry or want extra crispness. Convection will shave 20-50% off your cooking time, depending on the thickness of your food.

The good: Even heat. Temperature sensor gives accurate toasting time after time. Convection feature. Looks slick.
The bad: Loud beep when done. Door does not pull bottom rack out. Interior light would have been nice. Expensive.

Finally a toaster oven that is really quick and easy. Delonghi, good-bye and good riddance (after owning two and both only lasting one year). This was pricey, but electronic is the only way to go. Toast doesn't brown exactly even on both sides, but 90% is good enough.

We live in a NYC apartment and the appliances are typically the cheapest that can be purchased by the penny pinching, tight fisted landlord. Try to bake or broil in a bad oven and your results won't be great and you end up with a nice Power/Gas bill.

So, I went online to search for a decent toaster oven. I never intended to find a unit which would allow me to cook roaster chickens. I just wanted it for quick use such as for bagels, garlic bread, nachos, etc. After reading the reviews for this machine here and at epinions.com I decided to blow the (much more than I wanted) dollars on this unit. It has not disappointed me. It has been perfect actually. It pre-heats quickly (a beep lets you know it's ready) and it cooks perfectly especially with the convection feature on.
We have used it for two months now and it is perfect for 5-6 pound chickens (cooks very fast!) and bagels, cookies, toast, garlic bread, etc. To my way of thinking, it makes no sense to spend less $$'s on a lousy unit which rewards you with a few years of poorly cooked food. Spend the $$'s on this one and you won't be disappointed. I bought it on Amazon(with free shipping and no tax!- Sorry NY, no 8.6% for you:)and it was delivered in two days. Amazon has got their $h-t together!! I now buy just about all small appliances from Amazon even if they aren't the cheapest and they deliver fast and efficiently and don't waste my time.

We found we love this convection oven. It is well made and does everything well. We are just two people, and find that the toaster oven makes two servings of baked fish, chicken, pork chops or steak perfectly. I also bake 6 muffins, biscuits, cookies or a small cake, custard or pizza in it - the convection feature makes them brown perfectly. It also makes good toast and perfect English muffins. I especially like the fact that preheating takes only 3 minutes or so. I have found that I need to reduce the temperature on my recipes about 25 degrees to keep them from getting overdone and often the cooking time is less as well - less time to preheat and less time to cook at a lower temperature - great! I purchased some nonstick Nordicware sheets to use - better than the pan that came with it but not as large. I warm my plates on top while I'm baking or toasting. I would have to buy another one right away if something happened to this one, but if it is like all my other Cuisinart products, that shouldn't have to be soon.

I really enjoy this product. We were looking to replace a basic GE toaster oven we have had for years. The Cuisinart toaster/oven is large enough to do a casserole, and as I am typing this review have a 3# pork loin roast baking in it.(That is a real plus here where it is hot and we don't want to heat up the whole house by turning on the oven). The toaster/bagel feature is great and the claims made by the company regarding even cooking are true. We have not had an opportunity to use the convection feature, but when we do I am sure that it will work just as reliably. I also like the wipe clean front surface with no knobs to break or be difficult to clean around. While it is a bit more expensive than I was planning on spending, I feel that the extra cost is worth it.I highly recommend this model to anyone looking to purchase a new toaster oven combo or replace an old standby.

I'm not even sure if I can remember! I use mine in place of my regular oven several times a day. I originally went on an anti-nuke kick and we purchased this item for that reason. Now I'm convinced that if someone took my microwave away, I'd never miss it. Ok, so it looks like a toaster oven, don't let it fool you! It cooks everything I need evenly and in a lot less time. For small meals or children, it's a must. I love to watch the mouths of my friends fall open when they see how fast I can get a good hot meal ready for my kiddos. Clean up is a breeze as the tray slides out when you need to and my still looks new after two years! I just cannot say enough about how much I love this product and oh yes, it does toast nicely too :)

Had to edit my review since I can't seem to get sandwiches or toast brown on bottom. The oven just toasts the top which is no good if you have fixins' on the top of the bread. Not good eats!

I bought this two years ago to replace my old Black and Decker, and was fairly pleased. I utilize a toaster oven nearly every day, rather than fire up the full-sized oven. It is roomier and has two positions for the inside rack. However, the broiler rack and tray are very susceptible to rust and not at all easy to clean. I have to use the old-fashioned oven cleaner. It also gets a bit discolored around the edges of the door. Otherwise it worked like a charm until the faceplate where the controls are began to crack. Probably from frequent use. I dug out the old warranty information and called the company expecting to get the runaround. Amazingly enough, they are shipping a new model, no questions asked. I provided them with a credit card to cover shipping ($15) and I have to return the old one upon receipt of the new one. Not bad!

i am so in love with this toaster oven. works very well as a toaster, and as an oven, it's wonderful. preheats in a matter of minutes and i can bake and broil without heating up the whole kitchen, which is a major plus in the deep south. i love it i love it i love it.

One of the best kitchen appliance investments we ever made. Put the travel cups in, push the button, and the coffee brews while you get ready for your work day. Just grab and go!!

We have 4 coffee drinkers who rise and set at different times. This little coffee maker fits the bill for a good hot unspoiled cup of coffee at any time (I'm not dumping stale pots down the drain much any more). You don't have to toss the regular coffee maker, it is still good on weekends, but when you want a cup at 12 midnight, and if someone else happens to want a brew as well, the decision is brainless. It uses readily available cone filters and makes a great tasting "big" cup.

Love this coffeemaker. It brews quickly and makes one or two wonderful cups (cups at 14 ounces each.....) I have actually unplugged my "big" and expensive coffeemaker. Have used this twice to three times a day and so far no problems. I am very picky about the taste of my coffee, want a flavorable coffeehouse brew and this little Two To Go unit delivers consistently. I like this so much I just ordered another unit for my son-in-law for his birthday!

Hopefully this little coffeemaker stands the test of time and holds up because I really like it! The cups hold the java at a warm temp for longer than I expected and have been very useful.

Silver birds alight
On wires of pulsing light.
Search the cooked music.

I can't say enough good things about this oven. What I like most about it is its exceptional toasting ability...slices come out toasted evenly every time. And if you want to stop the toasting process, just press "stop," which is a welcome change from other toasters where a dial has to be almost forced back into the "off" position. It also functions very well in the baking mode...preheats fast too.

Its polished chrome exterior gives it an upscale look and is different from the typical white/cream color that can eventually become stained/burned looking with time. If this was in a "Survivor" of toasters, it would surely outlast the competition. I've had two Delonghis in the past that performed poorly, and Krups (though pretty reliable) just doesn't look as good. Works great and looks great too. What more can you ask for?

I've bought toaster ovens for the past 30 years, and this one is an absolute dream! It's thoughtfully designed with a great use of interior space, multi-position shelf, easy to clean interior with a crumb tray that covers the bottom completely to minimize mess, and clear dial settings. The "Stop" button to interrupt a toasting cycle is very convenient, and the series of beeps that signals the end of the cycle is pleasantly pitched and easy to hear because there are several to catch your attention. Most satisfying, though, is the speed and efficiency of its heating. Unlike any other oven that I've owned, this one cooks things evenly, all the way through. Toast is gorgeously golden, and even frozen foods like waffles and pizza cook perfectly. A couple of other reviewers complained that in the baking mode the top heating element came on and burned the top of their food. In my experience, the top element comes on for a very short time -- only long enough to maintain the correct temperature -- and by using the instruction manual to determine the appropriate position AND side of the rack to use, I've had no complaints whatsoever. Surprisingly, the sides of the oven do not feel hot during toasting or baking, though you can certainly feel the heat in the front of the glass door. As several reviewers have pointed out, this toaster oven also looks terrific -- a factor which, when combined with all the other pluses, makes this a tough one to beat.

You have to take off the fan part to add an extra tray which causes you to place your hands over the hot steam. Very easy to hurt/burn yourself.

This steamer has a big capacity, cooks stuff really fast, and is really easy to use. All the parts are easy to clean, and everything but the base can go into the dishwasher. Nice slippery, tough plastic that your food comes right out of without sticking. It cooks rice as well as anything else, so save yourself the trouble of buying a separate rice cooker. I had a cheap rice cooker that didn't cook the rice well, and broke after about 2 months. Do yourself a favor and get this instead, even if you only want to cook rice.

You can also cook beans in a very short amount of time as compared to traditional methods.

I would agree with the other reviewer regarding the safety factor; you should know better than to open a working steamer. Would you give a stove 0 stars because it was too easy to burn yourself on it? A knife 0 stars because it was just too darn sharp?

I highly recommend this steamer.

This steamer is very nice. It is large, well made and easy to use. It even cleans up fast. I use it daily for dinner. I just line up the vegetables and meats on the two wide and long trays. Press the up/down buttons to set cook time and hit start, what could be easier? A full, healthy meal for a family that adds no artery clogging saturated fat/trans fat by way of oils. What could be smarter? The only risk involved is when you ignore the instructions and common sense by opening a working steamer, as another reviewer did. Each to their own eh?
But I had to get the truth out about this. This steamer impresses both Donna (my lovely g/f) and myself. I also considered the TCS-60 and other models. But this model is very solid, very quiet and fair priced. I'm very pleased.
Good Luck to you.

Having read the other user reviews I felt compelled to add my own. The steamer itself is a relatively simple device to design so why Cuisinart decided to design a machine with a large water tank capacity and a small collection area is beyond me. If I try to cook a meal that takes more than 14 minutes the water collection area overflows. I find that the finished foods are just as good as any other steamer but no better. A machine that cost considerably more than other steamers shouldn't overflow every time it is used. I thought to use less water but then you are planning for the water resevoir to overflow into the steam producing heating element if wrong and the water doesn't overflow the element can burn out. Since purchasing this unit I purchased a $20 flavor steamer from Black and Decker and have been much happier. No overflows onto my counters and much quicker cleanup.I have tried to contact Cuisinart to make sure the mistakes are not mine but have never received a reply.

When I received my steamer as a gift a few weeks ago, I thought, "Oh no, another specialized appliance I'll use once or twice." Was I wrong! I've used it several times a week since I received it, and I love it! I haven't tried rice or grains in it yet, but my veggies come out perfect every time, and the fish filets I cooked in it were delicious. I especially love it for corn on the cob, and broccoli with sweet red pepper was divine. I haven't had problems with water running out or overflowing, but what I cook usually takes 10 minutes or less. And of course, I use oven mitts to open it during and after the cooking cycle. That seems pretty elementary to me, although the gift came with an oven mitt in the box to draw my attention to that point. I may still use my stove-top steamer sometimes, but I get much better results from the Cuisinart steamer.

As author of a free on-line steamer cookbook and guide (Steamer Magic), I feel the need to set part of the record straight. It is true that manufacturers don't always include all the tips, hints and instructions needed. That is NOT, however, the fault of the appliance. Some information from my guide follows. I hope it is helpful.

A WORD ABOUT SAFETY

Electric steamers are not open fire pits. We've come a ways down our evolutionary kitchen timeline. Still, steam is the cooking agent in these recipes, and steam is dangerous. A little prudence and some simple precautions can keep you safe while enjoying your almost effortless steamer meals.

If the natives aren't restless to the point of banging their knives and forks on Aunt Millie's antique dining table, consider letting vegetable based dinners rest for three to five minutes. The food stays warm in the covered basket and will be much easier to retrieve when the boiling water has cooled a bit. Grain dishes, cakes and custards all improve with resting. Grains especially need a few minutes without power to draw in the last of the steam and redistribute the moisture within the grains. So disregard the beckoning rings, and think of yourself as the ruler of the kitchen, not the slave.

Remember those not too stylish potholders that you mom, sister, or best friend gave you one holiday? You know - the ones you stuck way in the back of the bottom drawer? Well, dig them out. They will be a big help lifting water laden bowls from the steamer basket. And just think how happy Mom, Sis or Sally will be to know they are being used.

Don't move your steamer while it is cooking or when it is full of hot water. The danger is obvious, and besides - you're supposed to be enjoying yourself while the steamer does the work, remember?

Read the Care and Safety instructions that came with your steamer. The guidelines are there for your protection.

Please, keep an eye on the children when the steamer is doing its work. Better yet, do something fun together.

GENERAL TIPS AND TRICKS

It didn't take long to figure out I needed a second rice bowl, but I found I had an assortment of dishes that would work perfectly. Any glass bowl designed for the oven or microwave that sits inside your steamer basket with some room for the steam to circulate fits the bill. My personal favorites are the clear glass dishes with the extra heavy plastic lids. These are made by several companies and come in a variety of sizes. The ones with a slight lip work best; the lids of the straight sided varieties tend to pop off the dish when the steam softens them.

In doubt about how much water to pour into the reservoir? Confused over low, medium and high water lines? More is better. It may take the water a minute or two longer to heat, adding those minutes to your cooking time, but that's a safer choice than using too little and letting all the water evaporate before the cooking cycle is complete. It won't take you long to learn how to decide on the level. As a beginner, err on the side of abundance. If your steamer has only minimum and maximum water lines, the medium water line would be between the two.

Read the introductions that accompany each chapter, and don't miss the Tips and Tricks distributed amongst the recipes. You may find an idea that makes your meal even easier to prepare.