Euro-Pro TO161 Convection 6-Slice Toaster Oven

We live in a climate with hot summers and don't like to use the regular gas oven if we can avoid it. I bought this unit at our local HEB grocery for $37 and am pleased with it.

Pros: It holds a 12" plate or pizza thanks to a curved bulge in the back

Comes with two racks and three different positions for them

The convection feature (a small fan that circulates the hot air) really does keep the temperature even

Due to the large interior size, food isn't too close to the heating elements, so you can use temp & time settings similar to a real oven

Cons: The racks don't slide in and out very easily; extreme caution is needed if using a casserole or anything else heavy

The settings around the dial are in very small print and it's hard to be sure you have them where you want them

Since there isn't a dedicated toast darkness feature, you have to set it every time on the mechanical timer and really watch to make sure you don't overtoast

I bought this little toaster oven after both my kids left home, but used it very little. After my husband died, I began to use it almost daily... why use the big oven just for me? I've had this little oven for probably 6 years now and have baked 1 person meals, 1/2 dozen cookies, 2 person pies, and more (I bought little toaster oven bakeware from Bed Bath & Beyond). It's been a great little work-horse for me.

That said, there is one idiosyncracy that I'd assume to be common among all toaster ovens and that is that I have to set the heat down 25' lower than what the instructions or recipe calls for. I assume this is because it's much smaller than a regular oven. No big deal.

Also, the timer knob has now broke twice in the past 6 years; I would assume this is because it gets the most stress and use. I replaced it the first time via the manufacturer's website. Unfortunately I'm unable to get a replacement this time since the website now seems to be for the Shark vacuume, so I've been using a flat head screw driver to turn the timer on. In the meantime...

I just remembered this morning that Ace Hardware carries a variety of replacement knobs, so I'm pretty confident that when I go up there, I'll find one. I'll update this part later...

I'm not elderly, but I am a fairly patient person and would recommend this product. You just have to realize that knobs will wear out and small ovens heat hotter; so turn down the temp and remove the top rack when baking something larger that would come in close contact with the top element like taco shells... and check your food often the last 5-10 minutes like you would anything else in a larger oven. Food burns people and you can't blame the oven for that!

UPDATE!

Ace no longer carries replacement knobs. However I DID finally find a number to call... 800-798-7395 ... and immediantly got cust svc. As of 10/7/2011, the replacement knob was $3.95 + shipping and tax. Was told it would ship out via UPS and that I should have it within 7-10 days. I also asked if there was a website I could have gone to and was told no, so I guess calling is the only way to get replacement knobs (I ordered 2). I ALSO wrote the 800 number with a Sharpie on the back of my oven.

Also, while doing a web search for replacment knobs, I stumbled upon one clever lady who said she super glued her knob back together AND THEN placed a metal nut around it for added strength.

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I really love this little oven! I can cook french fries in about 10 minutes and make biscuits in 7 w/ no pre-warming! The knobs and handle are not very well made.

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Within weeks of purchase the bottom knob broke off. That's the one that controls on/off and the timer. For shorter times, the timer seems to work better without the knob. I use a putty knife to turn it on and to set the timer. Keep thinking I should just put it in the dumpster and move on. But it has some aspects that make it worth keeping. But it is a little embarrassing without its knob. I put the support web site URL from the manual () in Internet Browser and that site now solely supports a vacuum cleaner. Guess that tells all about euro-pro's product support.

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First: the timer is not so fit, hard to set it under 5 mins. Second: After two years it die, as a toaster oven it look like short life.