Criteria for choosing a mini-oven: appliances for the home and garden

The device in appearance and dimensions is very similar to the usual microwave, but there are cardinal functional differences: the mini-oven works due to the use of infrared rays, while the second type of equipment is based on microwave radiation. The category of equipment under consideration is a compact electric oven equipped with additional modes of toaster, defrost, grill.

Volume variations, dimensions

When deciding how to choose a mini-oven, they are primarily guided by the working volume, the range of which is quite extensive - from 8.5 to 40 liters. The most popular positions are 21 and 28 liters. A small-sized desktop mini-oven, the volume of which does not exceed 12.5 liters, is optimal for preparing several servings of hot sandwiches, heating food. Medium and large copies will allow you to fully cook pastries, main dishes.

The volume shows how much food can be made in one work cycle, the more it is, the larger the device. Many prefer built-in rulers, but they are, firstly, more expensive, and secondly, they are selected at the design stage of the kitchen, which is not always convenient. According to authoritative ratings and reviews, a 10-liter model is enough for two people, a 12-20 liter equipment is suitable for three, a 30-liter device will satisfy the needs of a family of 5-6 people.

The standard width of the case does not exceed 60 cm, moreover, you can find options for which this indicator can be 90, 45 and 75 cm (in descending order of popularity).

Optimum inner surface

The coating is responsible for ease of maintenance and operational life of the equipment. In a mini-oven with a microwave, a surface is introduced that is not afraid of high temperatures, intense mechanical stress, contact with aggressive detergents. It’s better to buy that mini home tabletop oven that is labeled with Durastone.

Equipment power parameters

This parameter is inextricably linked with the size of the built-in or stationary equipment, the power of kitchen models varies between 650-2200 watts. In particular, the capacity of a 10-liter furnace does not exceed 700-800 watts, a 20-liter - 1600-1800 watts, a 30-liter starts from 2000 watts. The higher this characteristic, the faster the equipment warms up, at the same time, the price of the model and the level of its energy consumption increase. Tops and ratings always include copies with a performance of 1,500 watts, these are convenient country variations that are advisable to purchase for the home.

It must be borne in mind that not all selected furnaces are suitable for the wiring used, if the latter has not been changed for a long time, it is better to explore the assortment of mini-furnaces with a power of 1000 watts.

Available Modes

A mini-furnace for a summer residence usually has one or two heating mechanisms. In the second case, the functionality is greatly expanded, the oven is baked in several modes.

The following heating scenarios are provided:

• electric oven (when lower and upper heat is used) - 2 heating elements are activated. The option is good when you need to bake meat, fish, vegetables;
• delicate mode - in this case, users choose the lower heat, optimal for the preparation of confectionery, chicken legs and wings;
• grill or active top heat - an electric mini-oven allows you to quickly cook biscuits, a variety of dough products, toasts.

Usually additional features are provided:

• roasting;
• quick heating;
• baking.

In the reviews of technology it is mentioned that the more modes, the easier it is to cook specific dishes, the wider the assortment of the latter. Accordingly, the cost of equipment is also higher in comparison with primitive options.

What is convection?

The mini-oven with convection is equipped with a compact fan, which is necessary for uniform distribution of air throughout the internal cavity; as a result, the dish is baked much faster. As a rule, a mini-oven with grill and convection has only one heating element.

Advanced convection ovens can have two different fan modes, which allows you to bake two different dishes at the same time. Acceleration of air is necessary for the full preparation of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, flour pastries.

Options for controlling and opening the door

If you do not know how to choose a mini-oven, keep in mind that there are two types of controls: electronic and mechanical. In the first case, the adjustment is carried out with a simple touch. The touch panel is easy to clean, such models stand out at a high price. Mechanical furnaces are controlled by rotary switches; they are most common due to their ease of use.

The principle of operation of the hinged door is the same as in a conventional oven - it opens onto itself. If the mini-oven is too high, such an arrangement is extremely inconvenient in operation.

Manufacturers note: if the mini-oven is installed on the edge of the table, in no case put a baking sheet on the open door - the equipment may overturn. The lateral type of opening, in turn, is similar to a microwave device.

Standard set of options

In addition to directly baking, the equipment can be equipped with a defrost function. In addition, individual models provide two optional modes: deep and ordinary defrosting. The opportunity under consideration is especially relevant when you need to cook pre-frozen food in a short time.

The heating mode helps to bring the temperature of ready meals to acceptable levels with minimal energy consumption.

Auto power off protects food from overcooking and burning. The function is activated if the temperature in the oven has reached an allowable maximum, or if the equipment has been warming up for a long time without owner intervention.

A separate point is the preservation of programs, which consists in memorizing already used cooking modes. Also, it is impossible to disregard the special operational characteristics that a mini-brick oven has: special stability, stationary, high performance.

Possible additional equipment

This category of kitchen equipment can have telescopic or trellised guides of baking sheets. In the first case, the sheet is automatically ejected when the door is opened, which minimizes the risk of burns. To prepare a variety of dishes, the set includes trellised coasters, flat and deep baking sheets. Also, manufacturers offer:

• door lock - a kind of protection against children;
• interior lighting;
• skewer is a strong rotating rod designed for baking fish, poultry, large pieces of meat. The dish is cooked evenly and covered with a golden brown on all sides;
• thermostat - allows users to set the optimum temperature with their own hands in accordance with the selected recipe;
• pizza and lasagna mold;
• removable top cover - a brazier is formed from the furnace, functioning due to the lower heating element;
• heat-insulating lining on the door, which eliminates burns when touched.

Kitchen stoves, leading profile ratings, may also have:

• high temperature or steam self-cleaning;
• a removable tray mounted on the bottom, it is needed to collect the resulting juices and crumbs;
• grill helps to achieve a crisp on dishes;
• timer, including supplemented by a sound signal;
• electric burners, significantly expanding the functionality of the equipment;
• metal detector that prevents the inclusion of equipment in the presence of metallic objects or utensils in the cavity.

Recommendations for choosing a mini oven

When deciding which equipment is best to buy, first of all, one should consider products with an impeccable reputation of brands: Panasonic, Delonghi, Ariete. Immediately during the selection, you need to make sure that the model is stable, the sheets must fall securely into the grooves - this prevents accidentally overturning of baking sheets or the oven as a whole. It is desirable that the length of the cord allows you to plug the device directly into an outlet, and not into an extension cord - this reduces the likelihood of fire.

At the first use, an unpleasant odor arises - it is emitted by heating elements, which are coated with a special protective composition for safe transportation. Before cooking, turn on the oven for 15 minutes at maximum temperature and ventilate the room, then you can proceed directly to baking.