Convection Toaster Oven Tips
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(Updated January 14, 2026)
I’ve picked up many tips while cooking in my convection toaster oven. The latest convection toaster oven I’ve purchased is a Kitchenaid, which I’ve had for 7 years.
You can put leftover pizza in this oven, and when it’s done, it comes out very crisp. Even better than when you first purchased it. That’s probably the best thing about this oven. It makes food crispy.
I cook everything that would go into a regular full-sized stove in my KitchenAid convection toaster oven. Mine has a toaster function, so I also use it to toast bread. I no longer have a toaster on my countertop.
Some of you asked about the Breville convection toaster oven that I previously had. I really loved the Breville products, and they’re highly rated.
The only problem was that it was smaller than the KitchenAid, so more food splattered onto the sides and top of the oven. So it was harder to clean. The Kitchenaid is taller, and fewer foods get spattered on and stuck on it.
Cleaning The Exterior Of A Convection Toaster Oven:
First, unplug the appliance. You want it cool inside, not warm. This even goes for the exterior.
When cleaning the exterior, you can use Bar Keeper’s Friend or Krud Kutter. If you keep dusting it off, you’ll have less work in the long run. Because the exterior heats up during use, the heat can turn any oil and dust into a film.
Avoid using caustic cleaners and abrasive scrubbing tools. They can scratch off both the paint and the non-stick surface. Some say that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are wonderful for cleaning the exterior of the convection toaster oven, though I haven’t tried them.
Cleaning The Interior:
Because convection toaster ovens are smaller, it’s more difficult to reach under and clean around the heating element. Those with removable crumb trays are much easier to clean.
Cooking meat usually means more splatters, especially when using an air-dryer setting.
To clean the interior, remove the drip tray and racks. You can soak these in the sink and gently scrub them with a sponge.
To clean the interior oven walls, use a gentle sponge and baking soda to remove the buildup. You can also try a Mr. Clean Dry Eraser for sticky and hard-to-clean smudges. But don’t use abrasive cleaners.
You can also make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the stains. Let this sit for around 30 minutes, and then wipe it away with a paper towel.
As for the cleaning element, leave it alone. Elements break easily when pressure is applied. Drips that fall directly on the element will burn off over time.
Above is what I call my cooking station. I use a microwave and the convection toaster oven to heat and cook all my food. All the food I cook and eat sits on the shelves I built above the cooking station, because I don’t have a pantry.
The Difference Between A Toaster Oven & A Countertop Oven:
A toaster oven is an electric countertop oven that functions as both a toaster and a heat source. It’s for baking in small batches. But it’s primarily used to toast bread, heat leftovers, and cook frozen foods.
A countertop oven is a smaller version of a regular oven. It’s a great choice for smaller kitchens. And I can attest that I didn’t have a stove for 8 years, and I didn’t miss it. I cooked everything in my countertop convection oven.
The main difference between a toaster oven and a countertop oven is their size. Countertop ovens are larger than toaster ovens and can cook, roast, or bake a variety of foods.
Toaster ovens have more limitations than the convection oven. A countertop oven has more functions and can stand in for a full-sized oven. A toaster oven is less likely to have convection capabilities.
What Is Convection?
Convection is the process of transferring heat through currents of air or liquid. Convection causes liquid or gas to heat up, expand, and decrease in density. This causes the liquid or gas to move in a convection current.
With convection roasting, meats like chicken and turkey can develop a delicious, crisp outer layer while staying juicy on the inside.
Cookies and brownies may also bake better without needing to rotate or change racks during the baking cycle.
Convection Toaster Oven Cooking Tips:
Here are tips on pans to use in convection toaster ovens. The tips below come from The Kitchn.
- Lower the temperature by 25 degrees
- Check the food frequently toward the end of cooking
- Don’t crowd the oven
- Use low-sided baking sheets and roasting pans
- Don’t use convection for cooking cakes, quick breads, custards, or soufflés
If you use a convection toaster oven, I would also suggest looking into these pans that I mentioned I purchased. When you take them out of the oven, they only stay hot for a minute or two.
Other types of bakeware I’ve used in the convection toaster oven were very hard to get clean. But the CasaWare is great. I bought different-sized pans for my countertop oven.
Yesterday, Kasi brought over lasagna and salad from Olive Garden. I ate only a little for lunch, then reheated the food in the toaster oven for supper.
Well, you know how messy lasagna is. I put the lasagna in one of the new CasaWare pans with the leftover breadsticks. When I took it out and heated it, it looked like the cheese had stuck to the pan.
I thought: Oh no, this will be hard to clean!
So I tried to clean it with a paper towel before washing it in sudsy water, and the cheese slid right off the surface.
If you buy these pans, I read in the reviews that someone used a metal spatula and it scratched the surface, so you will want to use a non-scratching spatula.
These are the easiest pans to clean I’ve ever used in a convection toaster oven, so I’m quite happy with my purchase.
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Your girls are certainly DIY go getters – like their momma – and your grandkids are beautiful!
Your grandkiddos are growing so fast! And U agree that the family resemblance is certainly evident! Adorable!
I’m not familiar with toaster ovens … can a cup of water be brought to boil in them to steam the inside much like with a microwave? That would make wiping away splatters much easier.
Handsome grandkids!! SO VERY GLAD you get to see them some. Ours were over today and daughter picked up drivein lunch and then we had my homemade apple pie for a late birthday celebration for grandson. He had asked that I make that. I was glad to do so…it is a laborious task doing apple pies. Especially when making gluten free. I am still not entirely pleased with the crust so more work. Thanks for sharing about your toaster oven…mine is awful inside too. I did not know not to use abrasives and probably have…but it does help to get the grease down…plus maybe more fire safe. I might get one like yours next…if this one ever quits. I would like one a bit bigger…and those cookware look inviting too!!
So sorry about what Home Depot did to your daughter…I sure hope she finds a better supplier!! Businesses are taking a horrific advantage of customers right now…price gouging among the offenses…bait and switch which was VERY against the law when I worked retail during the 90’s, etc. I had waited since April for a case of Keystone canned chicken ordered from Lehman’s. You can bet I was upset when I opened it…it is Lehman brand…I was sold Keystone!!! So I will open one, see if it is like Keystone. If not? Either they get it back, at their expense, or I will contact the powers that be. So far as I am aware, Bait and Switch is STILL against the law. SHAME on people…and they wonder why a lot of us don’t trust much of anyone anymore!! One more thing…we have had 2 credit cards stolen and used in Texas (where I last was 65 years ago)…due to using them to shop Home Depot. We do have to shop there at times, but always take cash. TWO TIMES?? If I used a credit card there again, I guess it would be my fault whatever happened.
Your gkids are beautiful. Hubby stopped buying at HD since they stopped giving veterans the discount. Hope they take your daughter’s complaint seriously, she probably gives lots of business w her remodels.
great pictures. Of what I can see. that floating ‘next post’ thing. Seriously, I can only read two whole sentences and then I have to scroll up and read two more complete sentences. Very frustrating. Between the header and the floating box that is all I can see at one time. Sorry to complain but it is very annoying after enjoying your blog for so long. sigh
Yes, the inside of toaster ovens get oily and dirty. We’ve tried everything (except abrasive cleaners) to get it clean, to no avail. But we can’t keep buying a new toaster oven every year just because it’s dirty! So we just clean it to the best of our ability and keep using it. I just saw that someone said to try a Magic Eraser. That’s one thing I haven’t tried, but will do so.
I don’t buy any special pans for my toaster oven. I use sheets of parchment paper for my pans, so they stay clean and nothing sticks.
Your grandchildren are beautiful!
My grandchildren live in Utah. They were just in Yellowstone. They go about twice a year.
For the inside of your oven try me clean eraser it’s a white sponge that cleans well, not abrasive.
I just ordered the trio set of the baking pans, in red of course. Thanks for the reccomendation. I use my toaster oven exclusively.
I also love your garden pics, and your container garden knowledge. Your plants always look so healthy in spite of the heat, and midsummer fatigue. You have a lovely, quiet life. Sweet pets, lovely family, and a beautiful garden outside your inspiring apartment. I love reading your posts everday. Thank you for sharing, and being my personal shopper😁
I think you’ll like these pans. I like not having to scrub food out after it’s cooked. Let me know what you think after you use them.
What cute pictures of your grandkids! It’s nice to see them spending time outside in such a beautiful place.
All your grandchildren and girls are darling!!! Wonderful family you have Brenda. I can just taste that great lasagna from Olive Garden as that is what I like from there. I would be furious with Home Depot allowing delivery service like this to represent them.
People talk and concerns like this are passed around to customers and there is other stores to support if this is how they wish to do business in a time when people can pick and chose a business. It will make or break a business on adapting.
Wow Brenda, your grandchildren look very much like you! You sure can see the family resemblance!
That’s what I was gonna say! Beautiful!!
beautiful and handsome, we have 22 grands
Oh my gosh the kids are getting so big. Lovely backdrop for photos. I hope they are having a blast. Those pans sounds awesome.
Your grandkids are so cute. Glad they are getting to have a little fun during Covid! That is horrible about Home Depot not taking those cabinets up for her. Anytime I have had them deliver heavy things they have brought them in. I guess it is who they hire out to for deliveries. Happy Friday.
Oh wow, lovely grands Brenda! Very glad you are enjoying them from time to time!
Both look so happy to be on vacay! Will they return to school next month? So difficult making these serious decisions.
Love your new oven! I could use one. Maybe will consider.
Enjoy your 😃 weekend Brenda!
Your grandchildren are adorable!
I’ve had nothing but problems with Home Depot and their contractor service. I had sunscreens put on my home and they drilled into every window and cracked all the glass. Took a year to get them to fix it, and now the fix hasn’t gone the distance. All the seals of reglassing the windows are bad. Irks me.
Your view out your patio doors is beautiful!
I also find all this new stuff that you can’t use cleaners on yet they never get clean. I’d like to back to the days of using Ajax. Cleaning without perfumes and a true clean!!!
Your grandchildren are very GOOD looking youngsters, with wonderful smiles. I bet their Mother is very proud of them both.