Rotisserie: It takes a few tries to get a feel for the timing, but once you do, you get really outstanding roasts and restaurant-quality rotisserie chicken. The rotisserie keeps juices circulating inside, so the meat doesn't dry out like when you bake it the standard way. Some have noted that it isn't really big enough for chicken, and it can be a squeeze. But if you tie the legs with cooking twine (which you should do anyway, to prevent burning), you can cook a 4-1/2 to 5 pound bird, and anything smaller is easy (the manual suggests 3-1/2 as a limit, but you can push that a bit). Pork and beef roasts are ridiculously easy -just stab it through with the skewer and put it in -and absolutely delicious. I'm surprised at those who say the rotisserie isn't worth it, because to me, it's the best thing about this device. Well worth the upgrade over a non-rotisserie convection oven.
Convection oven: If you're not interested in the rotisserie, you can get a good non-rotisserie convection oven for $30-$40 less. That's still $30-$40 more than a standard toaster oven, but it's worth it. A standard toaster oven isn't really for baking. It's good for reheating or melting cheese on something, but that's about it. A good convection oven like this one can be used for anything you do in a normal oven. Lasagnas (in a 9x9 pan), breads, pizzas (up to 12-inch), desserts, etc. -all of these can be done here because the oven regulates its temperature reliably. Furthermore, the smaller size and the convection fan (which circulates the air to regulate temperature and speed cooking slightly) mean less energy. Why use a giant oven to cook a small dish? Pre-heating is quicker, cooking times are shorter, and the food is just as good. The broiler also works well.
Toaster: Again, B&D doesn't promote this as a toaster, though it does have a toaster setting. It toasts pretty evenly (no worse than a standard toaster oven on that front), but the larger size of the oven (compared to a toaster) means it takes a long time, and the toast tends to dry out. You can tinker with the settings a bit, and if you position the rack close to the heating element, it turns out fine, but expect it to take a few minutes longer than a normal toaster or toaster oven. This may also mean that you're giving back some of the energy you save by using it as an oven.
Two other drawbacks to be aware of: (1) it takes a fair amount of cabinet space, since it is a few inches wider, deeper, and taller than most toaster ovens, and (2) the glass on the front is not double-layered, and thus gets very hot -be careful if you're using it with small children around.
Beyond that, this is a solid product. After six months of use, I'm happy I bought it, and am really glad to have another way to cook outstanding meat during the winter months when it's too cold to grill.I searched for a long time before buying this, it is great for heating up anything, we barely ever turn on our big oven now! the only problem is that the rotisserie is worthless! chickens dont come small enough to fit, plus the skewer pops out and doesnt spin! this is a great toaster oven but dont buy it for the rotisserie!
Buy Black & Decker CTO7100B Toast-R-Oven Digital Rotisserie Convection Oven Now
We've had this device for several weeks now. We've used it for baking, rot is, toasting, but not broiling as of yet.Here are the observations:
[1] Good device for all intents and purposes.
[2] Needs improved control of the toast function. Set to 3, the toast is too light. Set to 4 it burns the edges. Instead of 7 settings. Make it 20 settings. You can afford to pay your programmers that much. It would only be a few lines of code and a more flexible circuit. I'd rather have the flexibility than years of improperly done toast.
[3] The rot is has issues with whole chickens of 3 pounds and up. They need to be trussed up in a corset of string to avoid contacting the drip pan
[4] The beep on the machine sounds too much like the smoke detector. I can live better without thinking there's a fire in the kitchen. Change the sound to something else.
Regards,
Chuck Pelto
Read Best Reviews of Black & Decker CTO7100B Toast-R-Oven Digital Rotisserie Convection Oven Here
This replaces a 3 year=old GE Rotisserie/Toaster Oven which no longer works.The digital timer starts counting down automatically after it finishes pre-heating.
The toaster is nearly silent even when the convection fan is on.
The thermal readout is in 5 degree increments.
The size is more compact than the model it replaces, but the internal space is just as roomy.
The cooking tray does not extrude at the back where the pizza bump is, so you may need to use a pizza pan.
The heating elements are coiled within the larger diameter element surface (an improvement compared to conventional elements) so they shouldn't warp and bend when liquids drip onto the elements.
Overall it is a welcome improvement over the $20 cheaper GE model this replaces.
...Several months later...
The oven is still going strong.
I have found that it cleans easily.
One of these days I might be tempted to place a small bead of silicon caulk or RTV under the top of the glass door.
When cooking for periods longer than an hour, a considerable bit of heat seems to escape.
...In response to the squeak in the video review by "ColoradoHermit"...
Flip the rotisserie switch to the off position when you are not using the rotisserie.
That will stop the 'mysterious' squeak you are hearing.
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Just bought this and love it. We're a family of only 3 and it more than suffices. Haven't used as convection yet but oven and toasting is a breeze. Minor adjusting time and temp as presets are automatic.I haven't really had to adjust anyway. Using it for breakfast and dinners. Not home for lunch otherwise would probably be using it for that. Great for my sons snacks after school. Won't be using my standard oven until the holidays when I have lots of people over. Wasn't the oven I was originally looking for but thankfully, this was in stock and cheaper as a perk. I paid $59.99 on sale. Well made with Black and Decker name to boot. Only con is it does get hot on the outside, just don't touch it! It was a great day!

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