Electric Desktop Oven: Choosing A Small Portable Convection Oven For Baking In The Country And At Home

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 13:15

An electric desktop oven in many situations becomes a real salvation for its users. Compactness and mobility, performance of the basic required functions, the ability to purchase a model with burners at the top - all this explains the popularity of this type of technology.

Pros and cons

An electric tabletop oven offers many advantages, the most important of which is portability. The portable unit is easy to move around the apartment, for example, changing the design of the kitchen, and when moving, it is enough to simply load it into a passenger car. Be sure to mention the ease of installation: the plug is in the socket - and the oven is ready for use. Due to its small size, the oven fits well even in a small kitchen, and when not in use it moves to a loggia or to a pantry. Of course, a desktop oven is a more environmentally friendly device than a gas one.

Some samples are equipped with burners on top, which allows you to use the oven also as a stove. Such a decision will greatly help out a young family without extra money or residents of a communal apartment. Other devices also have a spit, which greatly simplifies the procedure for preparing poultry.

A fairly wide range of possible temperatures makes it possible to implement a variety of recipes using all possible ingredients. The inner space heats up evenly to the required state.

The tabletop oven is often equipped with an automatic shut-off system to simplify the entire cooking process.

As for the disadvantages, they are also present in the electric oven. The main one is energy consumption, especially in the case of frequent use . If the model consumes a small amount of energy, then, most likely, the food will have to be cooked for a much longer time, which will increase energy consumption as a result. The outside walls of the oven heat up quickly and strongly, so it is easy to get burned during use. For some users, dependence on electricity is also a disadvantage, since if it is turned off, it will become impossible to use the oven.

It is also worth mentioning that not all models have interior lighting and other useful features. If you want to mount a tabletop model in a kitchen unit, you will additionally have to think over a fire safety system or otherwise provide cooling to the walls.

Functional qualities

A basic desktop electric oven is responsible for cooking food at a set temperature for a specified period of time. The temperature is selected by pressing buttons, moving the levers or using sensors, and the duration of the cooking is determined by setting the timer. However, the modern portable and compact baking cabinet has a number of other functions. For example, a separate unit with convection allows you to create circulation inside the working space and thereby make the heating more even. The grill makes it possible to cook meat and vegetables in an unusual way.

The small skewer improves the quality of the meat or poultry being cooked by evenly roasting it. Its start is carried out thanks to the presence of an autonomous electric motor. Finally, the microwave function makes it possible to quickly reheat ready-made food, as well as defrost food removed from the freezer. The electronic unit creates a unique opportunity to fix the parameters of working with a particular dish in the oven's memory, which means that in the future it will significantly simplify the process of its preparation.

Additional functions

Not every tabletop oven has additional functions, so you should be prepared that the most multifunctional models will also be the most expensive. Baking lovers will appreciate the addition of guides. Such details greatly simplify the removal of the finished dish from the working area, making the process absolutely safe. A tabletop oven may have a boil control, which is indispensable when cooking liquid meals. The braising and simmering modes also expand the range of cooking possibilities. The hinged door makes the oven easy to use.

The hob, which has already been mentioned above, allows you to use the oven as a regular stove.

How to choose?

The choice of a tabletop electric oven is largely based on its technical characteristics. The most important thing is the power of the purchased oven, because it depends on whether it will be possible to connect it to the network, as well as how much electricity is required to operate the device. Although electrical cabinets can have different capacities, units with indicators from 2 to 3.5 kilowatts are considered the most suitable . It is this power that will allow you to use a standard electrical network and heat the chamber to a temperature that allows you to cook food. The energy class determines the ability of the device to operate economically using electricity.

To understand what class a particular model has, it is enough to look at the color and letter designation, which are indicated on the instrument panel, as well as in its technical passport. The most energy efficient class is called "A", which, in turn, has gradations. An indicator such as the dimensions of an electric furnace is also important. The most compact models are more suitable for summer cottages - they take up little space, but cannot be used on a regular basis.

For home use, it is better to take larger devices.

Rating of the best

There are a large number of compact electric ovens on the market today. The most popular are Scarlett, Maxwell, Steba, Simfer and others.

Kitfort KT-1703 is a very unusual multifunctional model that combines not only the oven itself, but also a hob with two burners. The rotating parts that adjust the device are placed on the side. They are made of heat-insulating material, so they do not overheat during operation and do not cause discomfort.

The maximum possible temperature is 230 degrees. The model has the capabilities of defrosting, convection, baking and grilling. The included skewer makes it easy to prepare the poultry. The volume of the oven is 30 liters, and the maximum timer is 120 minutes. This model, according to user reviews, has no drawbacks.

Sinbo SMO 3672 has a significant volume of up to 46 liters, which allows you to cook more than three kilograms of meat at the same time. Heat is directed to food both from below and from above. The temperature is set from 50 to 320 degrees using the rotary levers. The timer is equipped with a light indicator for convenience. The model consumes 1500 watts, which is quite low for a desktop electrical cabinet.

Three main modes of operation allow you to perform all the necessary functions. As a nice bonus, the model has a baking tray and wire rack. There are no particular drawbacks to this model.

Smile TKO 2403 is considered to be the smallest type of oven, but at the same time it performs several functions. This device is used as a toaster, microwave and conventional oven. The volume of the cabinet is only 8 liters, but in principle this will be enough for one person . Three heating modes allow you to treat food in different ways by combining grilling, baking and roasting. The device is equipped with both a baking sheet and a special tray for falling crumbs. The timer can be set only for a quarter of an hour. Cleaning the oven is extremely simple - just use a detergent and a napkin . The disadvantage of this model is its low power - only 800 watts.

The Endever Danko 4010 is quite compact, but allows for numerous recipes. The timer runs for exactly two hours and signals the end of cooking with sound and color. There are three main heating methods available: top, bottom and combined. In the oven, it will be possible to adjust the temperature regime from 60 to 230 degrees. Heating elements are made of stainless steel.

The chamber has a volume of 32 liters and is easy to clean. The power is 1750 watts. The meter cord allows you to place the compact device in the most convenient place. The set includes a grid and a baking sheet. This model has no drawbacks.

The Steba KB 27 U. 3 is equipped with a convection function, a lower and upper grill that can function both separately and simultaneously. The volume of the oven is small - only 20 liters, which is enough, for example, for baking dishes with a diameter of 28 centimeters. The hinged door makes cleaning the equipment much easier. Heat-resistant double glass provides double the efficiency of the oven . Possible temperature ranges from 100 to 250 degrees.

The unit is controlled by using the rotary levers. The timer runs for an hour. The convector speeds up cooking by evenly distributing the heated air. The power of the device is 1500 W.

Gefest PNS 420 K 19 has a pair of burners with different diameters. In a small kitchen, this is a big plus, since it allows you to use even utensils of any size at the same time. The consumption of the oven is 2 kilowatts per hour, even if both the oven and the stove are in operation. The adjustable feet make the device even more comfortable. The inside of the oven is coated with a non-stick substance.

The only drawback of the model can be called a small volume - only 18 liters.

The Simfer M 4577 has a volume of 45 liters. This indicator is quite large - even a whole chicken or rabbit can be baked in such an oven. A pair of heating elements at the top and bottom act both separately and together. The convector distributes the heat evenly, allowing you to get high quality products. The built-in fan, non-stick surface and timer are among the outstanding advantages of this model . The set includes a pair of baking trays, a wire rack and dishes for cleaning crumbs.

Galaxy GL2618 is both an oven and an electric stove. The thermal insulation material of most parts prevents the device from overheating. The volume of the oven is 30 liters and the temperature ranges from 100 to 250 degrees. The backlight makes the work more convenient. The power of the unit is 1500 W and it is equipped with three basic operating modes.