Benchtop Ovens

A benchtop oven gives you the functionality of a full-sized oven in a compact, portable appliance that sits on your kitchen bench and plugs into a standard power point. They are ideal for small kitchens, holiday homes, caravans or anyone who wants an extra cooking zone without a permanent installation. At Bing Lee we stock a range of benchtop ovens including toaster ovens, mini ovens and countertop convection ovens. Our FAQs below cover the key things to know.

FAQs

1. What is a benchtop oven?

A benchtop oven (also called a countertop oven, mini oven or toaster oven depending on size and features) is a compact oven that sits on your kitchen bench and runs from a standard power point. They range from small toaster oven models that hold one or two slices of toast or a small pizza, all the way up to larger countertop convection ovens that can roast a small chicken, bake a loaf of bread or cook a full meal for a small family. Unlike a built-in wall oven, no installation is needed.

2. What can I cook in a benchtop oven?

This depends on the size and features of the model. Smaller toaster oven models are best for toast, reheating, toasting sandwiches and baking small pastries. Mid-sized benchtop ovens with a convection fan can handle roasting vegetables, baking cakes, cooking frozen foods and grilling. The larger countertop convection models can roast small cuts of meat and even small chickens. Most benchtop ovens also have a grill function for browning and crisping the top of food.

3. How do I choose the best benchtop oven for my kitchen?

Think about how you plan to use it. If you primarily want to toast bread and reheat small items, a compact toaster oven is sufficient. If you want to bake and roast regularly, look for a model with a convection (fan-forced) function and a larger capacity measured in litres. Check the interior dimensions against the baking trays or dishes you plan to use. For those living in a caravan or apartment, a compact model with a low wattage may be preferable to avoid overloading a power circuit.

4. How does a benchtop oven compare to a microwave for reheating food?

A benchtop oven reheats food differently from a microwave. A microwave heats food quickly from the inside out using radiation, which is very fast but can make food go soggy. A benchtop oven reheats from the outside in using hot air and radiant heat, which takes longer but maintains or restores crispiness in foods like pizza, chips, pastries and roasted vegetables. Many people prefer a benchtop oven for reheating this type of food specifically because it preserves texture much better than a microwave.

5. Are benchtop ovens energy efficient?

Because of their smaller size, benchtop ovens use less electricity than a full-sized wall oven for comparable tasks. If you are only cooking a small amount of food, using a benchtop oven instead of heating up a large full-sized oven can save a noticeable amount of power over time. The actual wattage varies between models - smaller toaster ovens typically use 800-1000W, while larger countertop convection ovens can use 1500-2200W.