Best Countertop Convection Oven for Baking of 2021: Reviews With Comparison
Everyone wants healthier food, and the best way to do that is to cook at home. Still, it’s a bit annoying to turn on the oven every night, especially in summer.
It heats the house and takes more energy to heat the inside of the space. Instead, you may want a convection oven, especially if you prefer to bake.
We looked at the best countertop convection oven for baking with these five products to help you get an idea of what’s available.
Of course, we also included a buyer’s guide and FAQ section to help answer your questions.
Comparison Chart
Best Countertop Convection Oven for Baking: Brief Reviews
1. Black+Decker Four-Slice Natural Convection Toaster Oven
Black+Decker used to be called The Stanley Works and has been around since 1843. It’s a well-known company and has been working hard to stay current with the times and give you what you need.
It started with handmade tools, but it branched out to other aspects, such as security products, fasteners, storage needs, and home appliances.
It is always driven to be the best and commit to its customers and people who want to make, protect, and build.
Product Highlights
With the natural convection technology, the inside of the unit circulates hot air throughout the oven, which means you get even and fast cooking results.
It has a variety of functions, such as bake and broil, as well as a keep-warm option.
The one caveat here is that the inside is quite small, and it’s also short, which means you can fit about four pieces of bread into it or a nine-inch pizza.
However, it’s got low wattage at 1150W, so it doesn’t use up a lot of energy.
This product also features a 30-minute timer and a stay-on function, so if you’re cooking things that take longer than 30 minutes, you can leave it on until you shut it off.
That can work well with an external timing device.
What We Like
When it comes to design, this Black+Decker model looks shiny and polished with its stainless steel outside.
Also, it’s quite compact, so it can easily fit on any counter without you having to shift things around.
What We Don’t Like
We were not happy that this product was so small when compared to some of the others.
Most people buy 12-inch pizzas, and this unit cannot accommodate that.
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2. Dash Chef Series Convection Toaster Oven
The Dash brand has been around for a bit, and it focuses on helping people live healthier lives.
Even small steps are all you need to have a huge impact on your lifestyle.
Primarily, the company's products are designed to make life easier while you prepare your own real food at home.
They focus on providing a variety of kitchen products, including blenders, air fryers, and convection ovens, and sell their products on third-party e-commerce sites and their website.
Product Highlights
It’s important to find a product that does everything, especially if you have a small kitchen. The Dash Chef Series Convection Toaster Oven does seven different things, including bake, toast, broil, and air fry.
It also uses AirCrisp Technology, which can cut the fat you need to cook with, and it doesn’t sacrifice any flavor, and you can actually taste what you’re preparing.
Also, you don’t have that heavy fried-grease smell after the meal.
This oven is quite large (23L), so it works well for big families or entertaining purposes. It can hold six pieces of bread, a 12-inch pizza, and even a rotisserie chicken.
You will also like that there are dual thermostats and six heating elements. These ensure that the food is cooked consistently and thoroughly in less time.
With this product, you get a variety of accessories such as a baking pan, an air-fry basket, a drip tray, an oven rack, and a rotisserie skewer.
What We Like
The setup was quite easy for this convection oven. We also liked that the dials were across the top and that the door opened downward instead of outward.
What We Don’t Like
Our goal here was to find the right convection oven for baking. While this appliance does a lot, we noticed there wasn’t a pan available for baking pizza.
Plus, the included baking pan was quite deep and seemed a little flimsy.
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3. Rosewill RHTO-13001 Toaster Oven
Founded in 2004, Rosewill is a relatively new company compared to some of the name brands featured here.
Still, it has become a top contender because it offers high-tech, high-quality products.
It started with PC gaming items and then branched out into IT hardware, but now it also sells a variety of home products, such as convection ovens.
They are all designed to be cost-effective while durable and reliable
Product Highlights
This Rosewill oven offers a time control system that allows for 60 minutes of cooking. There is also a stay-on feature, which means you can cook food longer than 60 minutes without having to reset the timer.
With the dials, you can easily choose the right time and temperature, plus they are ergonomically correct and slide without feeling too loose.
This convection oven is also easy to clean because you can easily remove the crumb tray at the bottom of the unit.
You may also sit the drip pan at the bottom to catch any food splatters so that you don’t have to scrub baked-on messes right inside the unit.
The oven also includes a variety of accessories, so you won't spend extra to get the utensils you need for cooking any food.
What We Like
We were very impressed with all of the accessories included. The crumb tray and drip pan are necessary with any convection oven.
It also offers a pizza pan, a baking pan, and an oven rack.
What We Don’t Like
Though the function dial works correctly, we had hoped that it included different things on it.
We aren’t sure why it makes a difference if it is on toast or broil, as the oven should cook food the same way.
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4. Oster Toaster Oven with French Doors
The Oster brand is part of the Sunbeam Products company and was taken over by the corporation in 1960.
Since then, it has produced a variety of products, including kitchen appliances and tools.
There have been a lot of name changes throughout the decades, but it has always focused on providing innovative and sound items.
You can find the brand in a variety of retail locations and from the company website.
Most of its sales, though, are handled on third-party e-commerce sites because it’s easier to shop online for many people.
Product Highlights
If you’re looking for something that’s large and features dual French doors, the Toaster Oven from Oster with French Doors might be ideal.
It allows you to open a single door, and still, both of them swing outward. That way, you can easily get to the food within.
You also get Turbo convection technology, which ensures even browning and fast cooking.
Since this is a digital model, you just have to hit the function you want and raise or lower the temperature and timer with the appropriate buttons.
It also features a lock, which makes it is ideal for replacing a microwave or leaving out on the counter all of the time.
With this brand, it is larger than the others, so you can cook two different pizzas at the same time. You also get a baking pan and two racks with it.
Also, the timer goes up to 90 minutes and has an auto-shut-off feature.
What We Like
We were impressed with the inside capacity of the toaster oven. You can put in two different pizzas at the same time.
Plus, it’s digital, which can be easier for some people to adjust.
What We Don’t Like
Though it’s quite spacious, you only get one baking tray with the product.
We felt that it might have been better if you got two so that you could cook multiple trays of cookies or brownies.
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5. Oster Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
As noted earlier, the John Oster Manufacturing Company ended up getting acquired by Sunbeam Corporation in 1960 because it was floundering.
At first, it was called the Sunbeam-Oster Company, but now it’s all under the Sunbeam Products company.
Still, the Oster brand is well-known for providing high-end products to its customers.
Quality is always at the forefront, and you can find this brand in many retail locations throughout the world.
That said, much of its sales are through its website and third-party e-commerce sites.
Product Highlights
Those who want something that looks striking but is easy to use might like this Oster convection toaster oven.
It features dial controls, which might be easier to use and see than a digital option.
The temperature ranges from 250 up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ve also got a separate function dial that correlates to the temperature.
There is also a timer that goes up to 60 minutes and has a stay-on function. That way, you can cook as long as you need to do so.
It does cook a 12-inch pizza and can bake, and you will receive a baking tray and a broil rack, which you can remove when you don't need to use them.
What We Like
We were quite impressed with the door placement on this unit. It’s often easier to open it down to the bottom instead of swinging outward.
There’s less of a risk of burning yourself, but you do need to ensure you don’t get a rush of hot air in your face.
What We Don’t Like
Though we like the overall appearance of the product, we found that the dials to change the temp and timer were a little loose.
You could accidentally bump them and change the settings. When cooking, that can be a significant problem.
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Buyer’s Guide
When you’re focused on choosing the right countertop convection oven, there are a few things to consider. For example, it helps to know what components should come with the product.
You may also want to focus on its size so that you get something that suits your family’s needs.
Here's a quick guide on the factors you need to look for to help you make an informed buying decision.
1. Components Within a Convection Oven
There are a variety of components within your convection oven, and they all do important things.
We focus on three of the most vital aspects, which are:
- Fan
The fan is what makes it a convection oven because it circulates the heat for even disbursement.
Some units allow you to turn it on and off, but the ones we looked at did not offer this functionality.
We didn’t feel it was necessary because you are using this product solely to cook faster without heating the house.
Still, we must point out that you might not be able to bake delicate things, such as soufflés or flan, because they don’t need airflow.
In fact, that hinders their baking process and will make for an unsightly dessert.
Since you can’t turn off the fan in these units, it is best to use a traditional oven for delicate items.
- Temp and Time Controls
Convection ovens cook faster and at lower temperatures than their standard components, so you may need to adjust these aspects when you’re cooking in your convection oven.
Most manual units offer a recommended time and temp change chart to help you cook things correctly.
- Programming and Manual Controls
Many of the units we looked at did not include programmable features. The dials are easy to use and will allow you the control you need to set the temperature and time for your specific needs.
2. Durability
You want a unit that will last for many years, so it is best to consider options made of galvanized steel or stainless steel.
They will not corrode and can handle more heavy-duty applications.
Also, consider the joining of the metal panels. Bolted models are good, but welded steel is better.
3. Doors
The doors of the unit are the most-used component, so you want them to be highly strong. That way, they can withstand years of opening and closing.
Consider ovens with doors made of solid metal and tempered glass so that you can see inside and monitor the cooking progress without having to open the doors regularly.
After all, opening the door defeats the purpose of using a convection oven because the circulating warm air goes out, and the process has to restart.
If you go with the dual-door models, make sure you have the option to open only one door and both doors.
It’s just easier for you and reduces your risk of getting burned or having hot air blown in your face.
4. Size
The size of the convection oven you choose depends on the amount of food you plan to prepare each day. Of course, the larger options hold more items.
You also have to factor in the compactness. You would need a countertop version to reduce the required space on the counter.
This also ensures that you can put it away at the end of the session.
Therefore, you also want to ensure that it’s not too heavy to pick up and put back.
People tend to enjoy putting pizza in their convection oven.
Many models allow you to have a 12-inch pizza, but make sure this is specified in the description if that is your desire.
5. The Interior
Generally, the convection oven's interior uses aluminized steel because it’s economical but durable.
If yours has a porcelain interior, you must be careful not to crack it while inserting or removing the cooking accessories.
It would help if you also choose a model that offers a drip tray to save you a lot of work because you can easily remove and clean it.
That way, food spills don’t get baked onto the bottom of the oven.
6. Ventilation
Since these are countertop versions, they don’t have as many watts as floor models. Therefore, you aren’t required to use a hood or anything else.
Just make sure that the vents along the sides and back of the unit are free. Don’t put it against the wall or on top of your traditional oven.
FAQs
1. Can You Bake in a Countertop Convection Oven?
Yes, you can bake all sorts of homemade treats using a countertop convection oven. Cakes, cookies, brownies, and more can all be baked right in the same oven.
Plus, it’s also good for roasting vegetables, cooking meat, and air frying.
2. Are Convection Ovens Better for Baking?
Most people agree that convection ovens are better for cooking everything and anything since the food comes out crispier and tastes delicious.
Of course, the convection oven doesn’t change the appearance of the food or the taste, so you are still getting the same aspect.
Plus, convection ovens often take less time to cook, and you can use lower heat settings, which means you’re using the unit less and consuming lesser energy.
Of course, you also get your food done and ready to eat faster, which can help when you’ve got a lot of hungry people.
Please remember, though, that it can take time to learn how to use the convection oven properly.
Therefore, you may have a few burned cookies while you’re learning about this new appliance.
3. Can You Use Aluminum Foil in a Countertop Convection Oven?
Yes, you may utilize aluminum foil in your convection oven. However, it would help if you would not allow the foil to touch the back part of the oven.
It is ideal to wrap the aluminum foil around the oven trays that come with the product.
Still, we must point out that using aluminum foil will move the heat away from your food and can add cooking time.
You may want to consider this before deciding to cook or not cook with aluminum foil.
The choice is yours and might depend on what you are making.
4. When Should You Not Use a Convection Oven?
There can come a time where you shouldn’t use convection ovens for cooking.
Delicate foods items that start as batters and have to set while cooking might not come out correctly or have the right consistency. Examples can include flans and custards.
When air is blown on the foods, it creates a more lopsided appearance, but if you don’t care about looks, these types of food will cook thoroughly; they just aren’t going to look pretty.
5. Can You Cook Everything in a Convection Oven?
In a sense, yes, you can cook all of your food in a convection oven, but there are things that you need to tweak.
Since it uses different technology than a traditional gas or electric oven, you must consider how to place the food to get them evenly cooked.
You may also have to change the temperature or cooking time to prepare the food the right way.
Final Verdict
We feel that the best countertop convection oven for baking is the Rosewill RHTO-13001 Toaster Oven because it features a 60-minute timer and allows the unit to cook continuously.
You can also adjust the thermostat anywhere from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
If that weren’t enough, the price is comparable and works well for those on a budget.
Though we don’t often focus solely on appearances, this black toaster oven looks sleek and modern in your home and goes with anything. You also get all of the accessories you need to cook, bake, fry, and make pizza.
