74 replies to this topic

[JAZ]

I'm thinking of buying a countertop oven (aka "toaster oven") -- not for toasting but as an alternative to heating up my full-size oven when all I'm cooking is one potato or a portion of roasted vegetables, which I do a lot. I'd like something that heats fast and evenly, does a decent job broiling, and can get up to 450-500 degrees. If it makes acceptable toast, that's a plus, but it's not necessary since I already have a great toaster.

I have a store credit at a place that sells a couple of Cuisinart models and the Breville "Smart Oven." I've heard that the Cuisinarts are not very good, so I'm considering the Breville. It seems really expensive, but if it's worth the extra money, I'll pay it. Does anyone have experience with it?

More information here.

[avaserfi]

I have been eying this oven for a long while, it looks like a nice alternative to using a full sized oven. I have had a couple hesitations besides the price: My understanding is the maximum temperature is 450F and that some users (in Amazon reviews) report it doesn't reach the temperature it is set to, but Breville claims it cooks "like it is at this temperature." The reviews state otherwise, but of course others claim it works very well.

I have seen the unit in person and it seems to be well built and designed, but I have never gotten to use one.

[rotuts]

Cook's Illustrated reviewed this in its Mar/Apr 2011issue

it got the highest marks: 3 stars for toasting, cooking, user-friendliness, accuracy

this was also mentioned in a different thread about perfect toast.

http://www.cooksillu...asp?docid=27450

i have not seen one nor used one.

if you do get it pls add to this thread again.

Edited by rotuts, 04 July 2011 - 08:22 AM.

[Carole]

I've had the Breville for around a year now and absolutely love it. I've done everything from baking a crisp to toasting my bagels. It remembers your last setting and that is helpful. I've toasted nuts in it at the high temperature and been very happy with it. I haven't checked the actual temperature with an oven thermometer so I can't comment on that. A quarter sheet pan fits just fine as well as a fairly large casserole. An it can do an entire 12" pizza.

My "real" oven is a 36" Wolf so I really enjoy not having to fire it up, get it up to temp, just to cook one thing. And it comes in extremely handy at Thanksgiving when all potential oven space is needed.

It was expensive but I use it every day for something.

[Catew]

We've had this oven for nearly two years now, and love it. We don't have a lot of counter space, and we wanted something that would actually toast bread AND bake things well. The Breville delivers on both counts.

I'm really thrilled with the convection baking -- I've baked lots of poultry, fruit pies and cakes in it, and all have been perfect. It is wonderful to use in the summer as well; there's no need to heat the entire house with the regular oven. The oven is also easy to keep clean, inside and out. The only caveat I have is to check what your kitchen electrical can handle -- we've found that the oven has to be the only thing running or else we trip one of our circuit breakers.

The Breville is expensive, but this is one purchase that I think was worth it.

[avaserfi]

Can anyone who has one measure actual temperature vs set temperature next time they use it? Also, is 450F the highest setting or can it go to 500F?

[Dave the Cook]

Can anyone who has one measure actual temperature vs set temperature next time they use it? Also, is 450F the highest setting or can it go to 500F?

I took a look at one just yesterday. The temperature setting goes from 120°F to 500°F. Whether it can hit those temps and hold them accurately is a separate question.

[Marlene]

I got this oven when we moved to Calgary since I don't have a second oven yet. So far, I think it holds its temps just fine and as a bonus, it fits a quarter sheet pan and a full size pie dish so there's enough room in it. I'm not crazy about the toast it turns out, but as JAZ says, I already have a good toaster and that's not why I bought this.

I have the Cuisinart brick oven at the cottage, and the Breville beats it by a mile.

Edited by Marlene, 04 July 2011 - 11:03 AM.

[Alex]

I have one. Beats the heck out of a similar Krups I used to own. Does a great job with roasting vegetables, baking a potato, top browning/broiling an open-face sandwich, cooking an Amy's frozen pizza, and toasting frozen (or fresh) bagels. Good for warming plates, too. Regular toast is OK -- perfect on one side but striped on the other because of the grates. Worth the money. Buy it and don't look back.

[Catew]

Can anyone who has one measure actual temperature vs set temperature next time they use it?

Ok - this was not very scientific, but I fired mine up just for you. I set it at 350° on the bake setting with convection on. It beeps to let you know that it's reached the target temp. I put my Polder wired remote themometer inside with the tip in the middle of the oven (it wasn't in water or anything, which would probably have been more accurate). When the oven beeped, the thermometer read 347°. After about 8 minutes, it had dropped to 341°, which was the lowest it went. At 10 minutes, it was back to 347°, but I never saw the heating elements light up red, so it must not have needed too much to kick it back up to temp.

[Tom421]

I have recently purchased this oven. Got mine on Ebay at a great discount. Worth every penny even at full retail.

[Msk]

I have it and love it too. Its really a great "Little Oven" we roast veggies and all sorts of stuff in it. While I haven't tested the temps, it hasn't been a problem in the 18 months or so since I bought it. My one annoyance? the Plug sticks straight out like 3 inches so the unit can't sit flush against the wall. No issues as it relates to performance (Disclaimer: Toast is not a priority for me)

Mike

[JAZ]

Thanks for all the comments. I bought one and have been very pleased with the results so far. It preheats very quickly, and although I haven't been able to check the actual temperature (my oven thermometer died and haven't replaced it), it seems to be pretty accurate. I even used it for toast once just to see, and it did an adequate job.

[qrn]

I recently bought a no name unit that looks very close to these things,at tuesday mornings store.think it was less than $30...keep it on a table outside, on the patio, and on these real hot summer days is really great for keeping the kitchen nice and cool,can't do a turkey, but is good for lots of stuff....
Bud

[JAZ]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

[qrn]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

the heating element on a kitchen built in oven is probably in excess of 3000+ watts, the breville is 1800 watts, and is smaller interior volume so its not going to be in full heat mode for as long a time as a kitchen oven...
Bud

[gfweb]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

the heating element on a kitchen built in oven is probably in excess of 3000+ watts, the breville is 1800 watts, and is smaller interior volume so its not going to be in full heat mode for as long a time as a kitchen oven...
Bud

An Easy Bake Oven uses 100m watts. I always thought that that was a great idea that could be developed better for real cooking.

[Marlene]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

I've been using mine a lot since we moved. It functions very well as a second oven for hors d'oeuvres, and other things. I love how that a quarter sheet pan fits in it too.

[Anna N]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

I've been using mine a lot since we moved. It functions very well as a second oven for hors d'oeuvres, and other things. I love how that a quarter sheet pan fits in it too.

I have been following this discussion with interest. I currently have the Cuisinart Brick Oven and I can get 1/4 sheet pans in it too. When it finally bites the dust, I will be looking at the Breville as a replacement. Being able to use 1/4 sheet pans has now become something I am not prepared to sacrifice!

[Marlene]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

I've been using mine a lot since we moved. It functions very well as a second oven for hors d'oeuvres, and other things. I love how that a quarter sheet pan fits in it too.

I have been following this discussion with interest. I currently have the Cuisinart Brick Oven and I can get 1/4 sheet pans in it too. When it finally bites the dust, I will be looking at the Breville as a replacement. Being able to use 1/4 sheet pans has now become something I am not prepared to sacrifice!

You will love it. I am the same way now about being able to use 1/4 sheet pans. I have the brick oven at the cottage and yes it does too. I do like the Breville much better though

[qrn]

Because I'm almost always cooking for just myself, this has been a great purchase. I think I've only turned my big oven on once since I got the Breville, which means the kitchen is cooler, the oven heats up faster, and (I imagine) I'm saving electricity.

the heating element on a kitchen built in oven is probably in excess of 3000+ watts, the breville is 1800 watts, and is smaller interior volume so its not going to be in full heat mode for as long a time as a kitchen oven...
Bud

An Easy Bake Oven uses 100m watts. I always thought that that was a great idea that could be developed better for real cooking.

100 thousand?????? will need some big wires
Bud

[gfweb]

the m was a typo

[qrn]

the m was a typo

Ok, no problem,,,Its just electronic types that notice things like that(unfortunatly)
Bud

[gfweb]

You misspelled unfortunately. Us English types .... lol



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[Anna N]

...

I have been following this discussion with interest. I currently have the Cuisinart Brick Oven and I can get 1/4 sheet pans in it too. When it finally bites the dust, I will be looking at the Breville as a replacement. Being able to use 1/4 sheet pans has now become something I am not prepared to sacrifice!

So my Brick oven finally bit the dust - it no longer maintains its temperature. Suspect it may be something simple like dirty contacts and my SIL will be attempting to repair it. However, living without a small oven is not something I am prepared to do so I pulled the trigger and bought the Breville Smart Oven. So far I am very impressed though it is one appliance where reading the manual really is important. There you will find that the pre-heat temperature is only 80% of the set temperature and that the temperature should be taken with the rack in the "toast" position. The rational offered by Breville for the 80% is that you will lose 20% of the heat when you open the door to put your pan in there. Seems reasonable until you figure that it is STILL going to lose 20% of its heat only now it is really 40%! So after a rather depressing result with my first attempt at bread baking I have learned to put a thermometer in there and wait until it actually reaches the set temperature.
The other thing I have noticed is that it appears to automatically adjust for convection so it adjusts the set temperature down by 25F if you chose the convection option.
Once you get over these quirks the oven is a joy to use. It's early yet as I have only had it for a week or two but so far, so good.

[tikidoc]

For those thinking of getting one of these ovens, sign up at Bed Bath and Beyond and they will send you a 20% off coupon for one item. They sell the Breville oven for $250, so the coupon gets it down to $200.

I really love mine. I have even based ciabatta in it using the convection setting. It does a great job and heats up very quickly. I need to put my oven thermometer in it to check temperatures, but as far as cook times, it has been spot on with most recipes, so I suspect it is pretty close.

Jess

[mgaretz]

For those thinking of getting one of these ovens, sign up at Bed Bath and Beyond and they will send you a 20% off coupon for one item. They sell the Breville oven for $250, so the coupon gets it down to $200.

I really love mine. I have even based ciabatta in it using the convection setting. It does a great job and heats up very quickly. I need to put my oven thermometer in it to check temperatures, but as far as cook times, it has been spot on with most recipes, so I suspect it is pretty close.

Jess

I bought mine the same way a few weeks ago and I love it so far!

[paulraphael]

...

I have been following this discussion with interest. I currently have the Cuisinart Brick Oven and I can get 1/4 sheet pans in it too. When it finally bites the dust, I will be looking at the Breville as a replacement. Being able to use 1/4 sheet pans has now become something I am not prepared to sacrifice!

So my Brick oven finally bit the dust - it no longer maintains its temperature. Suspect it may be something simple like dirty contacts and my SIL will be attempting to repair it. However, living without a small oven is not something I am prepared to do so I pulled the trigger and bought the Breville Smart Oven. .... Once you get over these quirks the oven is a joy to use. It's early yet as I have only had it for a week or two but so far, so good.

I'm curious to hear your updates. I have the Cuisinart brick oven and it has NEVER maintained temperature accurately. I sent back my first one because of this and the second one had the same problem, so it's basically only usefull for toast and broiling. It's adequate for these things but in my mind very underpowered.

I wonder how quickly the Breville makes toast, and how subjectively powerful the broiler is. If it's as good as all that, I may decide my brick oven is truly a brick.

[mgaretz]

...

I have been following this discussion with interest. I currently have the Cuisinart Brick Oven and I can get 1/4 sheet pans in it too. When it finally bites the dust, I will be looking at the Breville as a replacement. Being able to use 1/4 sheet pans has now become something I am not prepared to sacrifice!

So my Brick oven finally bit the dust - it no longer maintains its temperature. Suspect it may be something simple like dirty contacts and my SIL will be attempting to repair it. However, living without a small oven is not something I am prepared to do so I pulled the trigger and bought the Breville Smart Oven. .... Once you get over these quirks the oven is a joy to use. It's early yet as I have only had it for a week or two but so far, so good.

I'm curious to hear your updates. I have the Cuisinart brick oven and it has NEVER maintained temperature accurately. I sent back my first one because of this and the second one had the same problem, so it's basically only usefull for toast and broiling. It's adequate for these things but in my mind very underpowered.

I wonder how quickly the Breville makes toast, and how subjectively powerful the broiler is. If it's as good as all that, I may decide my brick oven is truly a brick.

I got a Breville recently and it's great. It makes toast quickly (and you can make 6 slices at once). The broiler is very powerful. It preheats very quickly. My gas oven preheats so slow that it seems like a I can bake something in the Breville and be done in the time it takes to preheat the gas oven!

[Anna N]

....

I wonder how quickly the Breville makes toast, and how subjectively powerful the broiler is. If it's as good as all that, I may decide my brick oven is truly a brick.

The Smart Oven asks you to set the number of slices you wish to toast and you can set the lightness/darkness level. If you want to toast 6 slices very dark then it takes 5-6 minutes.
The broiler is powerful, however, if you use the supplied broiler tray and rack I find it puts things very, very close to the elements. If you have something fairly thick to broil then you might run into a problem. I tend to use a 1/4 sheet pan with a rack instead of the supplied pan to gain a little distance from the element. Overall I am still highly impressed with this oven.