I have to admit, I shouldn't be so surprised this toaster oven is such a piece of crap. I did buy it on clearance at MallWart for $9.00, after all. I had high hopes because it is a Rival product, and they are usually a pretty good brand.

Since the time we purchased it, the toaster oven has 'affectionately' become known as The Fire Hazard. I've been meaning to replace it for months, but I never seem to think of it until I'm lighting the next piece of toast on fire. After this week I think it has moved to the top of the priority list.

The Beginning

When we first got the toaster, all was well. After a month of use the thing started to fall apart. The white casing got so hot from lack of quality insulation that the outside of the toaster oven started to turn brown on top from the burning. We were too busy to get a new one, so we moved it away from the wall and made sure nothing was near it, deciding to clean it out after each use.

The Next Problem

When the knobs stopped working right, it was a minor annoyance. Neither of us like to shop, and we both have busy careers, so we just penned in the new temperature and time levels to mask the dysfunction. The toaster oven was still working, although not well. We chugged along, and ate less toast and bagels from the hassle.

The Last Straw

The last straw came this week. After a year of using a toaster oven that was inaccurate, under-insulated and impossible to clean, replacing the knob connections and having them still fall off, and writing in the temperature and time, the toaster door fell off. At that point what had been kind of a private joke between honey and I (How long will it last before it finally gives out and forces us to shop?) became a nonworking counter lump.

The Specs

I'm not sure a toaster oven can really have 'specs' when it is this cheap, but I'll give it a go. It is white plastic with a clear door (handle on top) and knobs to control the temperature, time and bake/toast/convect functions. It has a 'removable crumb tray' (or it said it does - this feature never works correctly). It came with a rack and small baking pan, the only two things on the whole machine that still work correctly.

The Final Recommendation

I can't wait to finally get rid of this thing. It was humorous for a while, in spite of the hazards of putting food in it and turning it on, but its time is done. Time to graduate to a real toaster oven, and toss this one in the bin. If you're looking for a toaster oven, stay away from this model.

Recommended:
No

Amount Paid (US$): 9.00