Articles

Eleanor S. “Virginia” says:
My ony concern in purchasing this item is that there are complaints about its ability to toast bread. Since my purchase will be used mainly for this pupose would it be wise to purchase it?

Philip M. Davis says:
The Cuisinart TOB 195 is the stainless steel version of the black and brushed chrome TOB 175 that Consumer Reports rated best of the toaster ovens it tested. Generally, toaster ovens underperform when compared to toasters. Buy a good toaster if toasting is really all that you want to do. Buy a toaster oven if you want to do things that a toaster cannot do, like bake a potato.

Kathy Connolly says:
My understanding based on Consumer Reports is that if you want to make toast in a toaster oven, you should get an infrared, not a convection oven.

A. Capodanno says:
I just purchased this oven, and I’m very dissatisfied with how it makes toast. The top of the toast is done perfectly, but the bottom is not as toasted. The rack is in the right place, etc… but I notice visually that the elements on top get hotter/redder/brighter than the bottom. Is this normal? Does everyone who says it makes perfect toast have to turn the toast over? I’m trying to figure out if there’s something wrong with my machine or if they all work this way. Cuisinart’s customer service was completely unhelpful and kept just recommending I play with the toast darkness setting. Is my problem how this appliance works, or do I have a defective one? Any advice?

Timothy Evans says:
Capodanno, I think you’re being too picky, and customer service probably thought the same thing. Unless the bottom is absolutely soggy, but that’s not what it sounds like. Like others said, if you want perfect toast, get a perfect toaster.
My toast comes out great, better than my old cheap toaster. It is perfectly evenly brown on the top, and brown with grill marks on the bottom. It does not dry out in the middle, as some toasters do. The grill marks are from the rack rods, and can’t be avoided. This was all at default settings (4), and I only had to press two buttons (Toast, Start). I did not do any flipping or anything, simple as can be :)

D. Teeter says:
My toast comes out great if I don’t use the baking pan. Both sides toast well.

Bookaholic says:
Can anyone verify or explain the concerns about opening the door and getting burned?
I am interested in the toaster oven, but I worry about a family always in a hurry when making breakfast.
Are people clumsy and getting burned or, is this a flaw in door/handle design?
thnx

William says:

Bookaholic,
When opening the door using the handle with my palm down, it is easy for the top of my hand to briefly touch the top of the door as I lower the door into its lowest position. If I place the oven in a higher spot, like above a microwave, this is less likely to happen due to the angle of my hand. It is easy to avoid touching the door by adjusting the angle of my hand. For me, although I might forget and feel the hot door, my reflexes cause me to adjust my hand quick enough where I do not feel any discomfort after touching the hot door. For this reason, I would not call it a “burn.” You can also eliminate this issue regardless of how high or low the toaster is or how you angle your hand by opening the door with your palm up, instead of with your palm down. So for me, it is not much of a problem.

The outsides of toaster ovens are typically much hotter than stoves when they are on. The handle on this model does stick straight out. A handle that is higher than the door or a handle that does not have any space between it and the door (like the Cuisinart TOB-175BC) would eliminate this issue for people who tend to open the door with their palm down. However, because the handle does stick straight out, the handle itself stays very cool.

ilovemosaics says:
It does not toast the underside very well. I have never been burned by the door area or handle, however, be careful not to pull on handle too much as it will come out. It can be pushed back in the slot, but I just tried it while it was still hot (was cooking at the time) and it shattered all over the counter. Now I have to find a replacement or buy another oven. I will be lost until it arrives!!
I could not live without this handy little oven. I live in Florida where it is too hot to cook much of the time and we use this oven at least 5 times a week. I cook full sized chickens, baked potatoes, french fries, meatloaf, etc. and it puts out little heat compared to a regular oven.

S. Finlay says:
Has anyone used the bottom piece of the broiler pan to bake, without the top piece? It says not to use it as a baking pan, but I can’t find a pan big enough to bake cookies on in the oven…what size pan do you use, and where do you get it, to bake cookies?

Bookaholic says:
S.Finlay:
Measure your pan and go to a kitchen store to find a comparable baking pan. I have purchased mine in 3 pan package. I have a cake, cookie and roasting pan I purchased at a store before it went belly up. I don’t know where you live, but look for a Marshall’s, TJMax or or Ross’s because they get a lot or remainders from the best stores. They tend to load up with a wide variety of stock before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope this helps.
FYI: Burning question about burning hands; we really have not suffered any real burns…just like a child putting a hand in a flame, my family learned how to open the toaster door.

Dr. Diane says:
my husband and I love the way it toasts. We use number 7 as we like it dark. The toast does not dry out and it has a crispy texture.

BeBe says:
If you want your bread toasted a dark brown on both sides use your toaster. I personally like my bread toasted lightly so I don’t have a problem with the way this oven toasts. This oven’s versatility makes up for not toasting bread a dark brown.

BeBe says:
I have had this product for months and I have not been burned. I always use the handle. Why would small children be allowed to use an oven anyway?

BeBe says:
Try looking at Pampered Chef. No, I do not work for them. I use a small stone all the time from them. It fits perfectly, and was on sale two weeks ago at their website.

Elly says:
Our very old regular oven’s thermostat has died, and we are planning to replace the entire kitchen next year. So we do not want to buy a new range now as we will be getting a cooktop and wall overn then.

After trying for several weeks to find a part for the old oven we realize it isn’t going to happen. So I am thinking of getting a toaster oven to tide us through the year.  I found this one in the reviews.

Would you owners of this model recommend it for the things I would cook in the regular oven? Meaning, casseroles such as mac & cheese, shepherd’s pie, N England chop suey, yam souffle, baked potatoes, roasting chicken parts such as breasts, pork roast, and the like? I use Corning pyroceram casseroles in sizes up to 5 qt.

Thanks for the help!

Elly,
Pretty much anything that you are able to cook in a conventional oven can be prepared in the Cuisinart TOB-195. Just keep in mind the internal size limitation of the oven (12″ wide x 12″ long x 4.5″ high) at the lowest rack setting and that the oven temperature can only be set in 25 degree increments.