Before we begin deliberating on what is the point of a French door toaster oven, let’s take a look at what it is designed for in the first place. A toaster oven is basically a smaller version of a traditional oven and sits on your countertop. It is a multi-functional device that can be used for various cooking tasks such as toasting, baking, reheating, and roasting. In recent times, these functions have also expanded to air frying.
The toaster oven design is ideal for those who live in small apartments whereby having a large wall oven may not be feasible. It is also a great option for those who want to cook small portions of food without having to heat up a full-sized oven.
Conventionally, a toaster oven has doors that pull downwards just like a wall oven. But there are now toaster ovens with French doors instead although they may be priced slightly higher than models with similar features. So, what are the advantages of a French door toaster oven then?
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Advantages Of A French Door Toaster Oven
Some people do like the concept of a wall oven that opens sideways. This makes sense because you don’t have to reach far down to close back the door when you are done. It is also more convenient to access your food as you don’t need to reach over a hot door to do so. But for a toaster oven, you won’t have these problems even with a door that opens downwards because it sits on your countertop and small in size.
However, it is precisely because it is a countertop oven that there may be a need for a French door style design. This is because some countertops do not have sufficient depth to accommodate a pull down door no matter how you try to maximize the counter space. So, if you have to place your oven near the front of your countertop, the door may be hanging over the edge when opened. In this case, it may be safer to have a toaster oven with French doors rather than a pull down one.
The other point of why a French door design is better is the practicality of it. Most designs will allow you to open both doors with one pull. As they swing sideways, any drippings from the food that you take out from the oven won’t land on the door. But they will for a pull down model. Since the door is hot, the drips will cake up quickly. As a result, cleaning becomes more difficult.
What Brands Have French Door Toaster Ovens?
Unfortunately, there are not many brands that have French door toaster ovens. Below are a few that we can easily find at the time of writing.
Elite Gourmet Double French Door Countertop Toaster Oven
The Elite Gourmet series has different capacities oven to suit different needs. It ranges from a 4-slice to 18-slice model. The latter has a 45L capacity and can fit 2 14-inch pizzas. There are also other options available with more features such as air frying and rotisserie capabilities as add-ons to the basic model.
Oster 10-in-1 Countertop Toaster Oven
This one is an extra large capacity oven that can fit 2 16-inch pizzas. It has 10 cooking presets that include air fry, broil, and slow cook. It also uses digital controls instead of knobs for better cooking precision. However, this Oster French door toaster oven is more expensive than the typical models due to its large size and multi-function feature.
Calphalon Performance Countertop French Door Air Fryer Oven
This Calphalon air fryer oven uses quartz heat technology for more even heating and a faster preheat. It can fit a 12-inch pizza and has a convection function with 11 preset cooking options. The control is done via a combination of a digital panel and knobs. This is also an air fryer which adds to the cost and hence, it doesn’t come cheap especially with its Calphalon brand name.
Luby Large Toaster Oven Countertop
This Luby toaster oven is the more economical one compared to the ones above. It is large with a 55L capacity. It is enough to fit a 14-inch pizza or 18 slices of bread. You control the time and temperature through 3 knobs. There are 4 heating tubes altogether with separate heat controls for the upper and lower racks.
Should You Buy One?
Whether you should spend a bit more and buy a French door toaster oven really depends on your counter space. Apart from individual preference, you also have to take into account how the door opens and the space needed whether they open sideways or downwards.
If space is not an issue and it is more about the aesthetics, then a French door style may look nicer for some. For people who like to decorate their kitchen counters to be more fashionable, a French door toaster oven may be the right style to get to enhance the decor.
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