How to Use a Toaster Oven

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Toaster ovens provide a unique option for toasting delicious foods. They can be used to toast bread and cook food. Toaster ovens have specific functions and directions for use and safety procedures.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Pot holders or oven mitts

Step1

Place the toaster oven on your desired setting, both for purpose (defrost, broil, etc.) and temperature.

Step2

Plug in the toaster oven.

Step3

Place your food in the toaster oven, either on a safe plate or surface, or directly on the toaster oven rack if desired.

Step4

Set a timer for your food. Often modern toaster ovens have built-in timers. Even when using a timer, however, keep an eye on your food as it cooks. Toaster ovens are smaller and cook food much faster than traditional ovens.

Step5

Wipe up big spills as they occur in your toaster oven, but also clean it occasionally, unplugging before doing so and waiting for it to completely cool. Clean the interior of the toaster oven with a damp soft cloth or sponge.

Step6

Remove your food safely, using appropriate protection such as oven mitts or pot holders. Enjoy the tasty food you've just made.

Tips & Warnings

Never set your toaster oven in water to clean it inside or out. Remove each part, and clean as needed with mild soap and water. Letting oven racks soak in soapy water is often the best way to clean baked-on messes.
Keep your toaster oven away from water as it may cause electrocution when wet and plugged in, even if not in use.
Do not plug in more than one heating appliance into a house circuit at a time as it may blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker.
Avoid using an extension cord to plug in your toaster oven. If this cannot be avoided, use the shortest extension cord possible.