How Shouldit Tests Small Toaster Ovens v1.0

Small toaster ovens are the go-to choice for one or two people looking to save the most energy, cooking time, and kitchen space. However, after buying a bunch of them for reviewing, we found that each has their own distinctive qualities.

So, we developed a set of tests to allow us to do a complete evaluation on small toaster ovens. We did try to use the same testing procedures of larger ovens but in the end, we had to acknowledge the differences in terms of performance, design, and usability for the small category.

Testing Methodology

Ensuring that our tests are consistent and reliably replicable is crucial. Thus, we replicate tests across all small toaster ovens to maintain comparability in our reviews. 

Additionally, keeping our reviews up-to-date with readers’ needs and the market environment is essential. That's why we regularly update our tests as our research progresses.

How We Test Small Toaster Ovens

Through a series of comparable tests, we formed assessments and divided 100% of the total score into 3 main aspects:

1. Performance (50%)
2. Design (25%)
3. Usability (25%)

The overall score ranges from 0 to 10 for an easy presentation. Each aspect and each performance test are also scored on a scale of 0 to 10. Check out how we did it!

Within our 4 performance tests, the 2 tests of Toast and French Fries stayed the same.

However, Whole Roasted Chicken was changed into Roasted Chicken Wings. We roasted 10 middle-joint chicken wings at 400°F to golden brown perfection with crispy skin, and then assessed its cooking time, skin, and flavor after checking doneness with a meat thermometer.

Also, for our Pizza test, we adjusted the standard for cooking time since small toaster ovens tend to be less powerful compared to large ones.

Performance

Performance accounts for 50% of a small toaster oven's overall score. It's crucial because it justifies the price before purchase and influences user satisfaction during use. A high-performing oven encourages repeat purchases and recommendations. Performance also involves design and usability.

To thoroughly evaluate performance, we decided on 4 small tests. They are Toast, Pizza, Roasted Chicken Wings, and Baked French Fries

1. Toasts (40%)

The test for making toast takes up 40% of the performance score. This is because the presets for making toast are one of the main selling points of a toaster oven.

For each oven, we use the best medium toast with 4 pieces of white bread. Then, we evaluate the toast based on Surface Color (20%), Consecutive Usability (30%), and Taste (50%).

Check out how we test making toast with our toaster ovens in detail.

2. Pizza (25%)

The test for baking pizza takes up 25% of our performance score for a toaster oven. Almost everyone loves pizza so it’s important that a toaster oven be able to produce a perfectly golden crust with beautifully melted cheese. We assess the resulting pizza according to the Cooking Time (20%), Crust (20%), Toppings (30%), and Taste (30%).

Check out how we test baking pizza with our toaster ovens in detail.

3. Roasted Chicken Wings (25%)

The test for roasting chicken wings takes up 25% of our performance score for a small toaster oven. Chicken wings are a fan-favorite finger food so a good toaster oven should be capable of roasting them to golden perfection with crispy skin.

Thus, scoring factors are the Cooking Time (20%), Skin (20%), Doneness (20%), and Taste (40%).

Check out how we test roasting chicken wings with our toaster ovens in detail.

4. Baked French Fries (10%)

The test for baking french fries takes up 10% of our performance score for a toaster oven. Oven-baked french fries are a healthier alternative to this common side dish and snack. The scoring for the fries test concerns cooking time (20%), color (20%), texture (20%), and taste (40%).

Check out how we test baking french fries with our toaster ovens in detail.

Design (25%)

Design takes up 25% of the overall score for our small toaster oven tests. The toaster oven’s design is important as familiarity and aesthetic preference heavily influence the customer’s first impression.

It also helps you ascertain value for money by reflecting material durability, build quality, functionality, usability, and performance. We decided on 3 aspects to evaluate: Exterior, Interior, and Build Quality.

We also made some adjustments on the parameters since small units often have less structural features compared to large ones, specifically a LCD display, convection system, and interior light.

1. Exterior (20%)

We decided to score the exterior of a toaster oven based on the construction of everything on the outer shell. This included air ventilation holes, the oven door, handles, and also the removable bottom tray if available.

2. Interior (30%)

We determined the score for the interior of toaster ovens regarding the construction of the cooking chamber. This comprised the coating, internal lighting, number of tray levels, and type and number of heating elements.

3. Build Quality (50%)

The build quality is the most inclusive scoring factor of the design. This consists of material durability, design sturdiness, good assembly, working mechanics, and integrated safety mechanisms.

Usability (25%)

Usability takes up 25% of the overall score for our toaster oven tests. If you are able to check the oven out in-store and you find it easy to use right from the first try, it may well be an instant decision to purchase. The manufacturer's attention to convenient user interaction will also give you a better idea of the oven's value for money.

In our case, we’ll do the first and many following tries and present the result for you to decide. We chose 3 scoring factors which were User Control, Ease of Use, and Cleanability.

These parameters also needed changes for the small toaster ovens’ lack of convenient features including a cooking status bar, by-the-digit time and temperature adjustments, automatic features, and so on.

1. User Control (30%)

We assess the user control concerning the convenience of the control panel. This covers interactions with functional inputs, mechanical control knobs, buttons, and digital display.

2. Ease of Use (50%)

The ease of use is a consistent factor throughout all of our tests. This consists of our experiences with the internal lighting, heat insulation, convenient accessories, automatic features, readjusting cooking settings, and good safety mechanisms.

3. Cleanability (20%)

Although straightforward, it may be discouraging to keep using a toaster oven if it’s too difficult to clean. The cleanability comprises how easy it was to clean the inside and the outside.