If you have been curious to know does a toaster oven cooks meals faster than a conventional oven, you’re in the right post. There is always controversy about which oven cooks faster, particularly when comparing a traditional oven with a toaster oven.

Although both toaster and conventional ovens have the same cooking features, their heating methods and cooking time are somewhat different.

Remember that the oven cooking time also relies on how well you preheat it. For this, you can also check my complete preheating guide for beginners HERE .

This article will clear all of your doubts about one of the most controversial questions, “Does a toaster oven cook faster than the conventional oven?” Let’s start!

Does A Toaster Oven Cook Faster Than A Conventional Oven?

Yes, a high-quality toaster oven cooks anything 25% faster than a full-size conventional oven. In fact, toaster ovens are energy-efficient and have better controls than conventional ovens to some extent.

Generally, the smaller variety of the conventional oven is also a toaster oven in many regards. Both ovens work similarly, but typically, a toaster oven heats up quickly and cooks food more quickly.

Want to know why it is that?

Here are some reasons why a toaster oven cooks food quicker than a conventional oven, even though they are similar in many regards.

Size Of Oven:

The first thing that matters most in cooking time is size. Since toaster ovens are usually smaller versions of conventional models and take less time to preheat, which is the main reason for reducing the cooking time of the toaster oven.

In addition, this type of oven features a heating element pretty close to the pan, which is why food temperature rises faster in a small toaster oven than in a large-size counterpart because food is nearer to the heating element.

Convection Heating Vs. Conventional Heating:

Toaster ovens are usually convection ovens, and convection heating burns hotter, faster, and evenly than conventional heating. In addition, convection toaster ovens have a fan, but conventional ovens lack this feature.

A convection fan circulates hot air more efficiently inside the oven, usually leading to faster, even, and thorough cooking without cold spots thanks to heat reaching the food more efficiently.

Preheating Time:

Since toaster ovens are a limited version of conventional ovens and usually come with a convection heating method, this reduces the preheating time. That means you have to spend a briefer time in your kitchen to do the cooking.

For example, a usual preheating time for a toaster oven is approximately 5 to 10 minutes, but a conventional electric oven typically takes 15 to 20 minutes for preheating. One can easily bake six cookies in the toaster oven within the traditional oven preheating time.

That is why you can finish your cooking faster than a conventional oven.

Worth checking: How to clean inside of toaster oven?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a toaster oven better than a conventional oven?

Yes, a toaster oven is a better option in many regards.

However, the most significant benefit of operating a toaster oven is that these versatile ovens take a shorter cooking time. Besides shorter cooking time, some additional benefits make it better than conventional ovens.

Energy-Efficient:

Toaster ovens are more energy-efficient, which means these ovens use less electricity than traditional ovens. As a result, the toaster oven has maximum power wattage between 1250 watts to 1500 watts.

In contrast, most electric conventional ovens have power wattage between 2000 watts to 5000 watts.

Accordingly, cooking food in the most energy-efficient toaster oven can save 50% of electric energy used to prepare the same food in a conventional oven.

Faster Preheating:

Because the toaster ovens are smaller, it reaches the needed temperature in less time than a conventional one. Indeed it is one of the best advantages of a toaster oven over a traditional oven.

As I mentioned above, the toaster oven takes 5 to 10 to preheat at the maximum temperature, whereas a conventional electric oven takes 15 to 20 minutes to finish preheating process.

Toaster Ovens Are Affordable:

The moderate expense of a small-sized toaster oven starts from 25$, and the average cost for a standard-sized toaster oven ranges between 200$ to 500$.

In comparison, the average price of a standard-sized traditional oven ranges between 500$ to 2000$ or above.

In addition, the toaster ovens don’t need installation, which means you don’t have to spend extra bucks to install your oven in the kitchen. However, conventional ovens require professional installation that costs extra.

Even Cooking Without Flipping Food:

Another perk of using is you don’t have to flip food between cooking. That’s because convection toaster ovens come with a fan to disperse warm air that effectively surrounds your food for even cooking.

Because conventional models don’t have a fan to spread hot air inside the oven, thus in conventional type ovens, it’s common to flip food in the middle of cooking to get the food cooked evenly.

Can a toaster oven replace a full-size regular oven?

Yes, the toaster oven is handy, versatile, and can replace a full-size regular oven. In fact, toaster ovens have better controls and cook food faster than their full-size counterpart—and its decent size is perfect for preparing small batches of freshly baked goods.

But when it comes to weighing the difference between a regular oven and a toaster oven, the only notable difference is the fan. Unlike standard ovens, the conventional toaster oven features a fan that spreads even heat inside the oven, making it faster and more efficient for even cooking.

Can you bake a cake in a toaster oven?

Yes, you can utilize your toaster oven for baking a cake somewhat of your full-size appliance; however, baking more miniature cakes in toaster ovens is always suggested. Plus, you have to manage a few things while baking a cake in your toaster oven.

Here’s what you need to consider while baking the cake in it.

Always start baking cake after preheating your oven.

Toaster oven baking temperature and time vary from conventional ovens, so, adjust it accordingly.

Check and ensure the cake is not too close to the heating element.

Check your cake after every few minutes to get an evenly baked cake.

Is it safe to use aluminium foil in the toaster oven?

Yes, using aluminium foil in the toaster oven is safe until the manufacturer allows it in the instruction manual. If your model allows it, you may require to follow some safety precautions to put foil in your oven safely. Here are the most necessary safety precautions you must need to consider while putting aluminium foil in the toaster oven.

Cut the foil appropriately to the size of your oven so that it doesn’t come in contact with the walls, metal, ceiling, and heating element of your toaster oven.

Don’t cover the food entirely, nor the crumb tray and oven racks.

Replace the aluminium foil after every time you cook.

Never use a foil with oily foods.

Avoid using it if your oven isn’t aluminium foil safe.

“How to know when toaster oven is done preheating?” this is often questioned by some toaster oven users, especially those who have recently purchased the toaster oven.

Toaster ovens are one of the handiest, multi-functional kitchen appliances to utilize in cooking a variety of dishes. However, it’s always necessary for users to know the concept and process of preheating before using it.

Typically, preheating the oven to the preferred warmth or knowing when to put the food in it is one of the initial steps to know while using a toaster oven.

Let’s get straight to the point and understand some possible ways how to know when the toaster oven is preheated?

Related: How to clean inside of toaster oven? (7 Easy Steps!)

Visual Signals:

Many modern toaster ovens arrive with a digital display or indicator lights that let users understand when it is preheated and ready to be used.

Some modern digital toaster ovens constantly display preheating process on smart LCD screens. These smart screens display the temperature rise till the preferred temperature is gained.

Other models have preheating indicator lights next to temperature selection control to indicate the oven is reached at the set temperature. These indicator lights will shut off or turn on when the toaster oven gets the right temperature.

These visual signals are the simplest way to determine if the toaster oven has preheated or not. If you have had a modern toaster oven with such digital displays or indicator lights, all you need is to concentrate on visual clues to ensure the preheating process is completed

Beeping Alerts:

Most modern toaster ovens are built with an alarm. Usually, this audible alarm or beep sound works as an indicator while preheating.

If your toaster oven includes this feature, you will likely hear short and low beeps when you set the timer, or you open the door within the preheating cycle. These short beeping tones are not preheating alarms.

Long and a bit high pitch beeping tone is actually the sound you might hear when it’s done preheating cycle. This method is vividly used to decide if the toaster oven is done preheating.

Oven Thermometer:

If you haven’t a trendy toaster oven with a display screen or beeping feature, in that case, the other effective option is to invest in a toaster oven thermometer that can easily withstand high temperatures.

Place the thermometer inside the toaster oven before preheating. I recommend you place it just close to the glass door to easily read the accurate temperature throughout the oven’s window.

This process is a bit daunting since it requires your constant attention to see if the toaster oven reaches your desired temperature or not.

Consider The Time:

Different models come with various methods and modern features to determine when preheating process is completed. Some toaster ovens are modern, whereas others are traditional and older, but they all perform similar functions.

However, if the toaster oven you have doesn’t include any of the above three indicator features or accessories, don’t worry! You still have an option to know when it ends preheating. Here you may need to consider time.

Fortunately, many recipes mention specific times and temperatures to heat-up the toaster oven. But you can also set the usual preheating temperature for an electric toaster oven which ranges between 350°F to 400°F.

For your consideration, an electric toaster oven takes approximately 10 minutes to preheat at 350°F. Plus, if you desire to preheat it to 400°F, you can give it five extra minutes (around 15 minutes total).

To do this, all you need to do is have a timer to note the preheating time, and when the selected time elapses, you are ready to put your meal in your toaster oven.

FAQs

Is it essential to preheat your toaster oven?

Preheating a toaster oven is highly needed, but sometimes it isn’t necessary. Typically, preheating process depends on the food you want to cook.

For example, preheating is not required when toasting bread, bagels, or reheating food, but it must be preheated to the preferred temperature when baking cake or roasting meat and other dishes.

The easiest and best way to understand whether it is necessary to heat-up the toaster oven is by checking if the recipe allows it since most recipes mention preheating time and temperature.

Can I place food in the toaster oven while preheating?

It is not suggested to put food in the toaster oven while preheating unless the recipe allows it. Putting food in oven before it’s heated earlier to set temperature increases its cooking time, resulting in unevenly cooked food.

Placing the food inside the cold toaster oven can also affect the texture and browning of baked, roasted, or broiled food due to a slower and longer cooking process.

How do you preheat the toaster oven step by step?

Heating up the toaster oven is much easier than standard large-sized ovens. Following are the three easy steps that will let you know how to preheat your toaster oven properly.

1. The very early step is to set the toaster oven to the preferred temperature mentioned in the recipe. If not mentioned, alternatively, you can adjust it to the usual preferred initial heating temperature that is 350°F to 400°F.
2. Another step is to ensure your toaster oven door is correctly shut. It would be best to do this before preheating to prevent the loss of hot air from oven to the outside.
3. The final step is to set the timer. Most recipes include the exact preheating time required for the desired temperature. However, if it is not noted in whatever you’re cooking, set your toaster oven to preheat and wait for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once you have done preheating, put your food inside, and let it cook!