One of the must-have things for the kitchen… Especially for people who lack the patient for their oven to heat up and wants something to start cooking immediately.
I have reviewed toaster ovens, convection ovens but this is my first time to use an extra-wide convection oven. So, let’s check out the BLACK + DECKER TO3240XSBD Extra Wide Convection Oven!
I. WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX
Inside is the extra wide convection countertop toaster oven, bake pan, broil rack and toasting rack
II. FIRST IMPRESSION
The thing is massive, but I do love the stainless steel exterior. Everything else is quite simple to put inside the oven. So, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
On the right, you have your temperature/cooking function knob, the middle is the bake/broil 60-minute timer knob (which is a ticker and ring – yes, quite old school but still works) and the bottom is the light-to-dark toast/timer knob.
III. USING THE OVEN
Used it to make two cakes and toast. My original plan was to make cupcakes and to put it on 350 and keep it on for 20-minutes but instead, I ended up making a iced lemon sourcream cake (similar to a Swedish pastry) which took about 25 minutes. First time, it was cooked on all edges and the center was a bit soft (ala toothpick test), so I left it in for another 5 minutes and let it set for 10 minutes after taking it out. The cake turned out soft and delicious!
But for the second cake, I wanted to make sure the center was less soft, so I kept it in for 35 minutes and let it set for 10 minutes. Surface was a little more brown but not too dark and the center was much better. And also making sure I didn’t open the oven around the 20-minutes mark. It helps to have that clear glass door to view the cakes quite clearly.
Reading other reviews about the center, I think this is where it takes a little bit of experimenting and trying to find the time to get that sweet center baked evenly. But leaving it in for another 5-10 minutes can make a huge difference and it definitely made a difference between cake #1 and cake #2.
Experimented with toast this morning and it came out perfectly.
But what I’m most impressed is the extra width, which makes a HUGE difference compared to the previous ovens I have reviewed. The extra space to be able to hold wider trays and to make larger dishes, may it be using the broil function for my dishes, baking cakes, pizza, cupcakes, etc. I like that. Definitely want to see if I can make fish en papillote in the parchment paper with this oven, that would be wonderful.
But my experience has been quite positive in terms of the cooking aspect.
Now, if there is one caveat….if one is to consider it a caveat, this is meant to be kept on the countertop. I tested to see if it can fit into my bottom shelves, and the height is too big. So, you’re going to have to make room for this extra wide convection oven.
The oven does have a timer auto shut off which shuts off the oven and the indicator light goes off (when the oven is on, the light is on), but opening the door does not automatically shut off the system. If this matters to you, then this convection oven is not for you.
Last but not least, cleaning this machine was simple. Another plus!
JUDGMENT CALL:
The convenience of having an extra-wide convection oven makes a huge difference compared to the small toaster ovens I have used and reviewed in the past.
The oven is easy to set-up, easy to use and my experience has been positive.
With that being said, you need to have the counterspace for this oven. the height is slight larger to fit into a standard kitchen cabinet, but if you have the counterspace, this extra-wide convection oven is so worth owning!
I’m very pleased with the BLACK + DECKER TO3240XSBD Extra Wide Convection Oven.
Recommended!
