Difference Between a Toaster Oven and a Microwave

Microwaves and toasters are two quite distinct equipment with very different purposes.

However, there is some confusion: both may be used to reheat leftovers or prepare tiny servings of food, and both are small countertop appliances (or placed beneath the counter, as the case may be).

So let me clear things up a bit.

How do toaster ovens work?

A toaster oven is a tiny kitchen gadget that uses heating components to cook food.

Most toaster ovens feature many below and above the food, while others have them at the back and sides.

Many toaster ovens employ a fan to circulate air throughout the cavity, which is known as convection (thus, they are also known as convection ovens).

This helps to brown the food, cook and warm it evenly, and create an even brown and crust to whatever you’re creating.

Some toaster ovens can also do air frying and dehydrating.

Toaster ovens consume less energy than wall ovens and are more intelligent and hands-free.

How do microwaves work?

A microwave is a tiny kitchen gadget that utilizes electromagnetic radiation to heat the water contained inside it.

Most of the time, this is used to reheat food.

Sometimes to cook.

However, it does not toast, roast, or crisp the food; instead, it only heats the water molecules.

Wattage

An average toaster oven requires 1300 (1200-1400) watts depending on the setting used, but an average microwave consumes 900 (600-1200) watts per hour, making your microwave 30% more energy efficient if you use it to reheat food.

However, if you attempt to thaw a pizza or bake muffins in a microwave, a toaster oven will accomplish the same result three times quicker (and far better).

As a result, they are significantly more energy efficient while cooking.

Reheating

If you’re cooking on the stove or in a wall oven and merely need something to reheat leftovers or thaw pre-made meals, the microwave is the obvious solution.

There is no flavor advantage, and the meal may come out soggier than desired, but it is significantly faster and more efficient.

Plus, nothing beats warming up a cup of coffee that has been sitting for too long.

Even if it has a specific defrosting option, a toaster oven will make more flavorful food with better texture but will consume more energy and take longer.

Cooking

If you’re going to cook with your toaster oven, which, in my opinion, you should since current toaster ovens are essentially smarter and better mini-sized copies of conventional wall ovens, a microwave will never replace it.

I’ve completely replaced my wall oven with a toaster oven and haven’t looked back.

Pizza is crispy.

Potatoes are soft and fluffy.

Chicken is tender.

You may bake, roast, broil, air fry, dehydrate, prove, or just toast in it, and it will all be fast, efficient, hands-off, and simply better if you select wisely.

Other things to consider

• If you use your toaster oven to cook, it will be a shambles and you will have to clean it. It may have a self-cleaning option, and if that isn’t enough, I have a tutorial that outlines how to clean it quickly. A microwave or toaster oven that is just used to reheat meals will need significantly less cleaning.
• Because a microwave consumes less energy, it emits less heat and is therefore safer.

Verdict

Get both if you can. You will cook in a toaster oven and reheat or defrost in the microwave.

If you can’t, I hope I was able to explain things clearly for you.

Cheers,

G.