advice on replacing micro with toaster oven

[mamello]

We have a 1995 PW with a small microwave, which we never use except for storage. Great for dirty socks! (Just kidding! )
Wondered if I could replace it with a small toaster oven. We do not have a stove oven. You can see from the image that it is fully surrounded by cupboards, the fridge at the bottom and a wall. The size of the entire opening is 21 3/4" wide by 14 3/4" high. The micro is 18" by 9"....with space for venting all around it.
I am thinking that the issue of heat from a toaster oven would make this exchange a no-no. However, in checking out better quality toaster ovens I have come across ones that are double walled which reduces the heat on the outside.
Thoughts? Advice?

 

[pete-ClassB]

Search the net and read the reviews for the different toaster ovens. I was looking for one to use on the counter in my Roadtrek and found quite a few scary reviews.

"This was a great little toaster oven until it caught fire and burnt my house down"
"It is good the fire department arrived quickly"
"Fire! Fire! Do not buy this. They should be outlawed."

I had one of those ovens with the fire hazard review. I immediately cut the cord off and took it apart before throwing it away so no one would pick it out of the trash and burn their house down. I got a Delonghi 4 slice oven but I keep it in the cabinet and put it on the counter when in use. This one did not have any bad reviews except that the toast is too dark. Maybe others on here have done the exchange with no problem but I would be scared every time I used the oven.
Pete

 

[renrut]

The main concern would be the heat from a toaster oven. They only have tin between the cooking area and the outside. They are not insulated at all. You would require quite a bit of room around one to dissipate the heat. You might even require an exhaust fan close to it.

You would also have to consider how much heat it would produce in the summer. It wouldn't take long to heat up the RT.

We use a microwave but more for heating up leftovers. I do cook meatloaf in ours but that's it. The kids heat up Pizza Pops from time to time too. A toaster oven gives more options but they are a lot more dangerous. My wife saw a nice toaster oven on sale not long ago. We bought it and tried it. It took almost the entire afternoon to cook a small roast beef and we had it running in convection mode. We were not impressed and took it back. The BBQ cooks a lot better and quicker.

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

You're wise to ask for advice.

Mounting the toaster oven to a latchable slide out tray would be my preference. Slide it out when in use then stow it after it has cooled.

 

[Ron J. Moore]

I read in some Forum about a B'er replacing the micro with a convection....and the heat issue was addressed. They were talking about putting it on a tray and slides - don't know if this can benefit your project, but thought I'd throw it in. The best part of our micro is it keeps my wife busy figuring out how to get the clock to work, ha!!! Oh God, I didn't say that. Ron

 

[g1g]

Just my own little input. If I were going to do that I would line the inside of the area with metal and ahve a lot of air space between the oven and sides/top so the heat can vent out

 

[dfriedman]

The current drawn by a toaster oven can be upwards of 10 amps (see http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/appliances/index.cfm/mytopic=10040). If it's on for a long time (like if you are baking something), that's a lot of hot wiring. Microwave ovens may draw similar currents (but they usually run on less), but they aren't running for all that long.

We use the microwave a lot; my wife is interested in the "half time" feature of the oven as well. But the bulk of our cooking is outside, either on charcoal or on our small George Foreman. The GF grills meats exceedingly well and the flip side of the cooking element makes great eggs and bacon.

Dan F.
2008 RS Adventurous

 

[Mike-ClassB]

Personally, I like pete's suggestion. Buy one that stores easily somewhere and put it on your
galley counter top (maybe on a piece of insulated material or fire brick or a piece of stone
counter top (granite, etc.) to keep it from burning/melting your counter) when you need it.
Place it over the stove burner area cover, under the range hood, (sorry '02 Roadtrek layout,
not familiar with PW galley layout) and use the fan to exhaust any smoke or excess heat.
Then you can still use the m/w for socks, while you burn your toast.

Just my 2 cents. :wink:

 

[abacusblack]

BE Careful with these toaster ovens as the all get VERY hot and can even burn you if you touch the back,sides or glass door. They are meant to be placed on the kitchen counter not in a confined space.
I just purchased a Hamilton Beach convection/toaster continuous clean oven that will bake a 12 inch pizza,roast a chicken,or broil a steak to match my Hamilton Beach Panni press/grill in my B. Yes the oven gets hot too so I place it on the counter or stove top to use and let it cool
I also take it out and put it on the picnic table at the campground. This always attracts fellow campers with the " What the heck are you doing" questions.

There are microwaves that have a browning element in them and one that is the same size as your current microwave would be the best choice in my opinion. It would perform the tasks of two appliances and save space.

 

[mamello]

Thanks everyone for your great advice. I have listened :clap: and decided not to go the toaster oven route. As so many of you cautioned, they do get very hot....which means you have to have it on the counter or slide out tray while using it... then let it cool down and then store it! Way too much hassle methinks!
Abacusblack, you mentioned the convection/microwaves as a solution. I had been researching other rv forums and found they were often mentioned there as great alternatives to ovens.
So from my research I am now going to replace our microwave with a "Sharp 900-Watt 0.9 Cubic Foot Convection Microwave".....which so far I have only found available on Amazon.com. It is the right size to fit in where the microwave is now.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00007BGTL/ref ... ative=3803
Have not been able to find this particular model here in BC or even online in Canada. Hmmmm!
Anyway, that is the plan!
thanks again everyone
Mamello