The Lifespan of Toaster Ovens: How Long Do They Last?

The lifespan of a toaster oven can vary depending on brand and function. A decent toaster oven can be an underrated savior in the kitchen. A toaster oven, which uses half to one-third the energy of conventional electrical ovens, is an excellent, energy-efficient way to prepare smaller meals.

Regular clean-up can assist you in preventing food blockage and extend the life expectancy of your toaster oven. Kitchen equipment, such as influential toaster ovens, are unforeseen home comforts.

They try to make your life as easy as conceivable. Toaster ovens are the most efficient and practical way to prepare meals for your table. It’s all fun and games until it no longer serves a purpose.  

How Long Do Toaster Ovens Last?

The lifespan of a toaster oven can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the brand, model, and how it is used.

On average, toaster ovens can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, with some models lasting even longer with proper maintenance and care.

Toaster ovens that are used frequently and exposed to high temperatures may have a shorter lifespan than those that are used less frequently and at lower temperatures. Proper maintenance and care, such as cleaning the toaster oven regularly and not overcrowding it, can also help extend its lifespan.

If you are considering purchasing a toaster oven, it is a good idea to research the brand and model to get an idea of its expected lifespan.

You can also read reviews from other consumers to get a sense of how long the toaster oven has lasted for them. It is always a good idea to invest in a high-quality toaster oven to ensure that it will last for as long as possible.

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Toaster Oven

The life span of your toaster oven will depend on the brand and usage and on some factors you must consider before purchasing the toaster oven. Here is a list of the factors that you should keep in mind before you plan to buy a toaster oven-

1. First, ensure to have a perfect spot in your kitchen.

The popularity of the toaster oven has caused manufacturers to reconsider its design and function. While a standard toaster takes up little space on your countertop, a typical toaster oven requires a little more room.

They can grow quite large, so it’s essential to have a designated spot in your kitchen for them. It can include your kitchen counter, but people have also built pull-out shelves specifically for them. 

It may not be a problem for those with large kitchens with plenty of counter space. However, for those who live in smaller homes or apartments, finding the ideal location for your toaster oven can be difficult, especially if you need that space for something else.

Make sure that the place you’re going to place your toaster oven has a good power outlet, doesn’t have any water source nearby, and is spacious enough to put the other utensils nearby required to use the toaster oven. 

2. Decide what features you require in the toaster oven.

Toasting bread in a toaster oven is no longer enough. You can now use it for cooking, baking, defrosting, and broiling.

While most toaster ovens on the market have comparable basic functionalities, some companies sell some that others do not. It would be best if you planned what features you want your toaster oven to have. Toasting, baking, and broiling are examples of these features. 

To mention some features, you should consider whether you require a defrosting feature, automated switch-off system, manual or digital heat settings, or timers. Noting down these features will save time and money and help you compare different brands to ensure the maximum lifespan. 

3. Make sure your power outlet is strong enough to use a toaster oven.

Toaster ovens consume more energy than ordinary toasters. That is why it is critical to utilize an appropriate power outlet. Most toaster oven fires are caused by broken plugs, old wiring, and a failure to clean the equipment regularly. When in operation, a conventional toaster oven will consume between 1,000 and 1,500 watts. 

While it is permissible to leave your toaster oven plugged in a while, not in use, you are strongly advised to unplug it.

Manual toaster ovens are not known to drain electricity while turned off. However, digital-controlled toaster ovens require around 0.2 watts when idle. Whether you leave, it plugged in or not, be sure you’re utilizing a power source that can handle the watts.

4. Check the user manual before buying a toaster oven.

Every device comes with a user manual. The user handbook is provided for a purpose. When it involves kitchen equipment, it’s always a good idea to read the manual.

It is especially true if you have never before had a specific gadget. And, because different toaster ovens have varied characteristics, it’s essential to understand what yours can and cannot accomplish. 

They claim this will simplify cooking and teach you about all the minor functions you may not have realized existed. Reading the user guide will also provide advice on how to clean and care for your equipment, when to seek expert assistance, and how to prevent common fire dangers, thus ensuring the maximum lifespan of the toaster oven.

5. Purchase suitable accessories along with the toaster oven.

Like many other kitchen equipments, Toaster ovens come with many accessories that you may purchase individually. Because toaster ovens can now do so much more than in the past, it’s a good idea to sit down and decide what type of accessories you want with yours. 

Most come with a conventional tray, but you may require additional choices like a traditional oven. Using the wrong accessories can cause severe accidents and reduce the life expectancy of the toaster oven. So make sure you are using the right accessories for a toaster oven.  

3 Signs You Should Replace Your Toaster Oven

Your toaster oven may stop working before its lifespan. It could be improper use, an unsuitable power outlet, uncleanliness, etc. Here are the signs when you need to replace your toaster oven-

1. Rusty interior.

Don’t overlook the rusty interior of your toaster oven. You may believe some rust is harmless, but this is not true. Rusted metal fragments can fall into the meal, posing a strangling issue. Possibly sever your tongue, so if you find rust within your toaster oven, it’s time to replace it.

2. Faulty cord.

If the cable is coming loose from the machine or the silicon on the line is broken or frayed, it’s time to get a new toaster oven. Electric shocks and even kitchen fires can result from tangled cables. Don’t just cover the cord with scotch tape; call it a day. Defective cords indicate that your toaster oven has passed its expiry date.

3. Broken door.

However, the glass isn’t only for gazing at your food. It also holds heat. If your toaster oven isn’t heating things like it used to, it’s most likely due to a broken toaster oven door. A damaged toaster oven door will not cook your food correctly and may cause an accident. Replace the glass door on your toaster oven if it is damaged or does not close properly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

How do you know when you need a new toaster?

Here are some reasons why you might need to replace your toaster: The toast isn’t up to grade, a more efficient model is available, the toaster isn’t sufficient to meet demand, maintenance costs are too expensive, and you want to add a daypart or a new item on the menu, and so on.

Why do toaster ovens stop functioning?

If the primary switch on a toaster oven malfunctions, it may stop functioning. A thermal fuse protects the primary regulator of the toaster oven from harm caused by an electrical overflow.

If the main switch does not operate, use a continuity or multi-tester to check the thermal filament. Instead of an open circuit, the thermal filament should exhibit consistency.

Are costly toasters worth it?

Instead of staying with a standard toaster and spending extra, upgrade to a more costly toaster and gain additional functionalities. You will notice an improvement in design quality, cooking speed, and toast quality.

More exemplary materials for the body may make a toaster seem and feel more durable. You can cook more evenly and quickly with additional wires and watts.

Are toaster ovens preferable to toasters?

Toaster ovens brown bread more evenly and reliably than toasters. On the other hand, a toaster oven can melt a cheese sandwich, broil a hamburger, or roast a 4-pound chicken.

The ranges, however, take longer to toast, 3 to 10 minutes vs. 1 to 5 minutes for a toaster on a medium setting, and leave stripes on the bread. So, if you’re wondering which one is best for you, the answer is that it depends on your requirements.

Can you use aluminum foil in the toaster oven?

As long as you don’t place it at the bottom of the oven or too near to the heating element, you may use aluminum foil as a dustpan in the toaster oven.

It might be a helpful solution to collect any food crumbs or spills. You’ll only have to throw away the foil tray after usage rather than wash it like baking pans.

Conclusion

A toaster oven has a lifespan of up to five years. Purchasing a new toaster oven feels fantastic. As long as it works, you can do whatever you want. You should know how long a toaster oven lasts from when you buy it until it stops operating.

Toaster ovens are available in a range of sizes and combinations. Take the following considerations when selecting a toaster oven to achieve an optimal life span:

  • Check the characteristics of the toaster oven.
  • Analyze if it is compatible with your power outlet.
  • To learn about the functions, read the user guide.
  • Check out the maintenance guidelines for a toaster oven, etc.