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Breville Mini Smart Oven BOV450XL, Brushed Stainess Steel
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Breville |
Color | BOV450XL |
Product Dimensions | 12.9"D x 17.7"W x 10.5"H |
Special Feature | Digital ControlsAuto Shut Off |
Control Type | Knob |
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About this item
- The Breville Mini Smart Oven with Element iQ System is for the cook who desires a countertop oven that bakes the perfect pizza, delicious cookies and toasts evenly; Don't let Mini fool you as this space saving oven offers 8 cooking functions
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 4 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer power to where and when it's needed to create the ideal cooking environment for perfect results every time; Fast 1800 Watt preheat gets your meals on the table more quickly
- 8 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Super versatile mini smart oven with 8 cooking functions to guide you to perfection: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Roast, Cookies and Reheat
- SMALL CAPACITY: The 16.1 x 14.2 x 10.4 inch interior fits 4 slices of toast, bagels, cookies, tuna melts, 6 cup muffin tray and 11 inch pizzas; Complete with 3 rack positions, pull out crumb tray and auto shut off
- LCD DISPLAY: LCD display to more easily access the built in smart functionality, choose from 8 cooking functions
- NON STICK CAVITY COATING: The walls on the inside of the oven feature a non stick coating for easy cleaning
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: 10 x 10 inch Enamel Baking Pan
- WARRANTY: 1 Year Limited Product Warranty; Power: 1800 Watts; Voltage 110 to 120 Volts
- 4 Quartz 1800 Watt Elements with Element IQ Technology
- Function dial with 8 pre set cooking functions and each element adjusts automatically for the setting you choose, to deliver the right cooking temperature at the right time for the meal you are creating
- This is not an under the cabinet toaster oven it needs some clearance on top due to the product producing heat. Voltage : 110 120 Volts
- 4 Slice capacity, 11" pizza, 0.45 cu ft. interior with 3 rack positions, pull out crumb tray and auto shut off
- Powder coated steel housing and Non stick interior cavity coating. Dimensions : 14.25 x 16 x 8.5 inches
Customer ratings by feature
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From the manufacturer
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To Steer Power Where It's Needed
Smart algorithms create the ideal cooking environment, for perfect, crispy golden results
-
To Guide You to Great Cooking
Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies and Reheat
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All the Room for Delicious
4-Slice Toaster, 12" Pizza, roast chicken and anything else you’ve got for it
-
Calculates Correct Time and Temperature
Illuminating orange during preheating and cooking, and blue once cycle is complete
Choose your oven
8 cooking functions | Settings | 8 cooking functions |
4 Slices; 11" Pizza | Capacity | 4 Slices; 12" Pizza |
Convection Powered | ||
| Element IQ System | |
| LCD Display | |
8 cooking functions | Settings | 9 cooking functions |
4 Slices; 11" Pizza | Capacity | 6 Slices; 13" Pizza |
Convection Powered | | |
| Element IQ System | |
| LCD Display | |
8 cooking functions | Settings | 10 cooking functions |
4 Slices; 11" Pizza | Capacity | 6 Slices; 13" Pizza |
Convection Powered | | |
| Element IQ System | |
| LCD Display | |
Product information
Brand | Breville |
---|---|
Color | BOV450XL |
Product Dimensions | 12.9"D x 17.7"W x 10.5"H |
Special Feature | Digital ControlsAuto Shut Off |
Control Type | Knob |
Door Style | Dropdown Door |
Included Components | Breville Bov450Xl Mini Smart Oven With Element Iq, Pizza Pan, Baking Pan, Broil Rack |
Model Name | BOV450XL |
Finish Type | Silver |
Cable Length | 36 Inches |
Item Weight | 10.7 pounds |
Department | unisex-adult |
Manufacturer | HWI/Breville USA |
ASIN | B006CVVA7I |
Item model number | BOV450XL |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #4,172 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #8 in Toaster Ovens |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | November 23, 2011 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Videos
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1:33
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Breville Mini Smart Toaster Oven - Before You Buy
Stubb Family
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1:45
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WATCH THIS BEFORE USING Or You'll Burn Your Toast!
Teressa & Corey
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1:44
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3yrs Use - Easy to Clean? Worth Buying? My RESULTS
J.W. Reviews
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Product guides and documents
Product Description
Breville Mini Smart Oven BOV450XL, Brushed Stainess Steel
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This Item Breville Mini Smart Oven BOV450XL, Brushed Stainess Steel | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $159.95$159.95 | -5% $95.00$95.00 List: $99.95 | $269.95$269.95 | $999.95$999.95 | $189.95$189.95 | $29.95$29.95 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Easy to clean | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Temperature Control | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | — |
Easy to use | — | 4.8 | — | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
Versatility | 4.5 | — | 4.6 | 4.8 | — | — |
Quality of material | 4.5 | — | 4.3 | — | 4.5 | — |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Shopwise | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Umilife |
capacity | 0.45 cubic feet | 0.5 cubic feet | 0.8 cubic feet | — | 0.6 cubic feet | — |
material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Bamboo |
finish type | Silver | Stainless Steel | Polished | Painted | Silver | Painted |
wattage | — | 1800 watts | 1800 watts | 1800 watts | 1800 watts | — |
weight | 5.9 kilograms | 6.89 kilograms | 1 pounds | 1.2 kilograms | 14.6 pounds | 2.65 pounds |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the adjustability, ease of use, appearance and quality of the countertop oven. They mention that it offers multiple settings, the controls are easy to use and that it has a sleek and modern design. They say it bakes and toasts well and that the warm up feature is neat. Customers also appreciate the heat, saying that it heats quickly and that each setting has an automatic temperature and time.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the countertop oven. They say it heats quickly, bakes and toasts well, and comes out better than an actual oven. Some say it's intuitive to use and has countless culinary victories. It's perfect for roasting veggies for 2-3 people and baking frozen items.
"...There just simply handy for small baking/broiling without heating your large oven. Especially great for kids toasting small baked goods...." Read more
"...Love the extra counter space. The consistency of this oven is perfect. I feel certain the energy usage is far less than our previous ones...." Read more
"...It's small, but mighty indeed!" Read more
"...It's very user friendly. Perfect for roasting veggies for 2-3 people, baking and reheating...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the toaster oven. For example, they mention it does its job very well, the other functions work better, and it airfrys particularly well. Some are impressed with the efficiency and consistency of the product. That said, they say it works well for two people and produces perfect results.
"...It also works well to make open faced sandwiches where melting the cheese elevates the meal...." Read more
"...I use it when baking muffins to get the tops just right. They turned out perfect. The oven remembers whatever your previous temp/time setting was...." Read more
"...It works great. I have baked in it and I don't use it as a toaster. I use it as a small oven...." Read more
"...It has a small footprint and does a great job with all sorts of baking, broiling and toasting...." Read more
Customers like the size of the small home appliances. For example, they say it's perfect, takes up little space, and fits their needs perfectly. Some mention it'll toast bread, bagels, and English muffins. Overall, most are happy with the size and functionality of the product.
"...The Breville Mini is the right size to toast bread, bagels, English muffins and similar things and occasionally heat up a leftover single slice of..." Read more
"...Love the extra counter space. The consistency of this oven is perfect. I feel certain the energy usage is far less than our previous ones...." Read more
"...Our old one was much larger and harder to store. This one easily fits in a cabinet...." Read more
"This product has been exactly what our family needed. Its compact size makes it perfect for our small kitchen, while auto shut-off ensures safety...." Read more
Customers like the heat of the small home appliances. They mention that it heats quickly, bakes and toasts well, and reheats great. The warm-up feature is neat and the broil function is great if you need a broil. The center is warmed and steaming, and the unit does not get hotter on outside. It takes no time to preheat and cooks really quickly.
"...than most of the others but I liked the fact that it had four heating elements and a ceramic lining for easy cleaning...." Read more
"...It’s a lot easier to use the convection oven in this unit than for me to remove baking dishes and pans from the main oven just to heat up some food." Read more
"...Great for my husband and I, Most dinners are cooked in this oven. Preheats fast, and uses much less electricity...." Read more
"...five years and still works fine except, as happens, the heating elements are getting old and everything takes longer to cook...." Read more
Customers find the controls on the countertop oven easy to use. They say the instructions are easy to follow. Some customers also mention that the oven heats quickly and has convenient controls.
"...the display change color to tell you it’s cooking, and having a convenient button to add a little more cooking time if you need it without resetting..." Read more
"...My research paid off and this is the best, easiest to use oven I've ever owned. The heating, timer and ease of use is just perfect...." Read more
"...This is convenient and avoids reaching into a hot oven, but the position of the grill is fixed relative to the top and bottom heaters...." Read more
"...Toasts bagels perfectly. Easy instructions, as well. I recommend this to anyone and it would be especially practical for a single person or..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the toaster. They mention that it looks great, has a good design, and is stream lined. Some say that it goes well with their copper kitchen and that it has trays inside.
"...This product met all of my needs as expected and I think it is in fact designed and made to a higher quality standard than cheaper ones...." Read more
"...The LCD display adds a touch of modernity, while the non-stick coating is a dream for cleanup...." Read more
"...The toasting color is consistent across the piece of bread and was consistent from test to test for the same setting assuming the toaster had a..." Read more
"So happy with purchase. Love it's style and the fact it bakes awesome chocolate chip cookies!" Read more
Customers like the adjustability of the countertop oven. They say it offers multiple settings, with automatic temperature and time. They also appreciate the digital toast settings and the ability to defrost items before cooking. Customers also say the dial makes changing between settings efficient.
"...able to choose a setting with one simple dial, adjust time and temperature with simple push buttons, having a large clearly marked on/off button,..." Read more
"...The heating, timer and ease of use is just perfect...." Read more
"...in toast browning between top and bottom, its extra flexibility made the difference. I’ll update this review as we learn more about the Breville." Read more
"...The “A Bit More” button is nice. It allows you to add pre-set amounts of time..." Read more
Customers find the toaster oven easy to clean. They mention that the tray for crumbs slides in and out easily for cleaning.
"...I liked the fact that it had four heating elements and a ceramic lining for easy cleaning...." Read more
"...Everyone in our family uses it daily and it's easy to clean." Read more
"I have not found an oven yet that is easy to clean, however if you clean this one after EVERY use it does tend to be easier to clean...." Read more
"...We've had no issues, clean up is a breeze and it's simple enough that my two daughters (8 and 11) can both use it with no issues...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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SIZE
Topping the list of why I chose this model is size. I have a wonderful Cuisinart TOB-100 which to me is the ideal size for a toaster oven. It’s served me well for over five years and still works fine except, as happens, the heating elements are getting old and everything takes longer to cook. These days the popular trend is for manufacturers to be pushing extra-large toaster ovens as a replacement for a full size oven. I don’t agree, my stove works better as an oven than any toaster can possibly do and between it and a microwave and an air fryer (not to mention hotpot, steamer, slow cooker and other small appliances) using a toaster oven is nothing but a compromise and not a good one at that. The Breville Mini is the right size to toast bread, bagels, English muffins and similar things and occasionally heat up a leftover single slice of pizza. I mean, really, who really gets one of these things to bake pizzas, especially tiny eleven-inch ones?
CONVENIENCE
When I want to toast a bagel or something I just want to be able to walk over to my appliance, put the thing in, and push one button. This model does that, it remembers my last setting and if I want to make a slight one-time adjustment I don’t have to read a service manual and push and turn a bunch of knobs to do so. The button layout on this model in my opinion is far easier to use than the next model up, the Compact, which requires you to push and turn a knob and have to think about which mode it is in every time.
SPEED
The Breville line of toaster ovens use quartz tubes for heat. That is not my preferred choice. I’ve had plenty of ones that use this technology and while it is definitely faster than the metal rod elements my Cuisinart uses the quartz tubes have several downsides. First off, in reality they are nothing more than a high power light bulb and like most bulbs the more powerful they are the more heat they give off. Being a glass tube they are fragile and delicate and like most bulbs they have a relatively short life then they burn out (they are replaceable if you’re handy with such things). Metal heating element rods usually don’t get quite as hot and they take a lot longer to heat up to temperature than quartz tubes which are instant on. But metal rods can last far longer than a glass tube, especially if they get splashed with grease, which is a common event in a toaster oven. A metal rod can simply burn the grease off but a glass tube can shatter or instantly burn out. So I only consider ovens of this type conditionally acceptable if you use a lot of care to protect the tubes from getting splashed.
SMART
They use the word smart loosely, this oven doesn’t really sense the doneness of your food like some toasters I have owned. It simply determines how much heat to use for how long depending on what you tell it to do, so you are really the one doing the smarts. To me the word smart really goes back to the word convenience – being able to choose a setting with one simple dial, adjust time and temperature with simple push buttons, having a large clearly marked on/off button, having the display change color to tell you it’s cooking, and having a convenient button to add a little more cooking time if you need it without resetting everything from scratch.
WISH THEY DIDN’T
I mentioned that the size of the oven was my most important factor is choosing this model. The layout of the controls was second and the speed was the third. None of the other models I considered had all three. There are a few minor things that I don’t care for though. One is the etched on writing on the door reminding me which shelf position to use to cook various things, I think it is useless and the painted on labels detract from the look of the device and of my kitchen. I also don’t like that there is no hook to slide the wire shelf out when I open the door. This used to be standard on every toaster oven. I think it’s inconvenient and dangerous not to have it. The last thing isn’t a negative, it’s an observation – I cannot understand why anyone would complain about this or any toaster product because “it gets hot”. What are they expecting, on what planet does an appliance meant to toast something not get hot? For the record this model doesn’t get much hotter or stay any cooler than any other toaster I’ve owned, in fact using professional grade thermography test equipment I measured the outer cabinet to be slightly cooler than the Cuisinart. The simple answer is that your mom should have taught you a long time ago not to touch a hot stove. There is one review I read suggesting to use an extension cord so you can push this toaster right up to the wall in your kitchen. DON’T! You will burn your house down. If the little pull tab on the power cord bothers you, simply plug it in to another outlet that’s not located right behind the toaster. But never use any extension cord on any toaster and never push it any closer to the wall than the manufacturer tells you to.
MORE ABOUT IT BEING TOO HOT
Since there are several one star reviews that dismiss it for the sole reason that it “gets hot”, here are some extra facts about that topic. If you set your oven for 400 degrees its temperature is going to be 400 degrees. It doesn’t matter if you have a Breville, an Oster, a Cuisinart or a no-name brand they will all be the same temperature inside. If it’s not getting hot and your oven is cold it’s not doing its job and that’s what someone should be complaining about, not that it gets hot. A toaster isn’t a toaster if it doesn’t get hot. The more powerful it is, the higher the wattage will be and the faster it will toast – and the result of that is heat. It’s simple science. A hot toaster is a good thing and people who buy it should be adult enough not to touch it, place it close to a wall, put anything on it that can melt or burn, or allow children to play with it like a toy. I don’t know how anyone can expect any stove or toaster to cook and not get hot, and I’m even more baffled why they would complain about it and consider it a defect or a reason to give it a negative review. I attached those professional thermal imaging photos showing my highly rated Cuisinart next to the Mini to directly compare the amount of heat created by both of them. See for yourself.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Based on user comments there are most commonly misunderstood concerns about this product’s reliability. Here is some info that may be helpful in determining the true cause for a perceived issue.
1. It gets hot – as discussed earlier that is not a fault but rather simply how a toaster works
2. It smokes – that’s steam, a normal byproduct of what food does when it heat it. If it’s real smoke then your food is burning, that would be a user error
3. It’s too small – they make other sizes, if this model is too small don’t buy it
4. The dial is hard to read – choose another model or brand, after using it 2-3 times you will learn where your favorite settings are without having to even look at the dial
5. The weird plug – keep complaining, maybe they will eventually listen. That hook doesn’t make much sense but if it’s in the way just plug it in to a different outlet
6. It “broke” – I have yet to read any review giving details what they mean by broke. As I have explained earlier this model (as well as many other brands) use glass tubes that are essentially light bulbs. Those are delicate and can break and they will absolutely burn out. That’s not a defect, it’s the trade off for an oven that gets hot fast. If that concerns you buy an oven with metal heating rods
7. That clicking sound – again, not a defect. Quartz tube ovens work by turning the light bulb on and off, the temperature of the bulb itself can’t actually be controlled. What you are hearing is the relay that powers the bulb on and off, it’s normal and it has to do that. If it really bothers you get an oven that uses metal heating rods, they don’t click. Oh, and I really can’t even hear the clicking unless I’m standing right in front of it.
A DOSE OF REALITY
I am constantly amused about comments about how some users either love or hate the way a toaster oven cooks, as if they could really tell a difference. This appliance is one of the most basic things in a kitchen, a technology that goes back to the stone age. In the simplest terms, it's a metal box with a wire rack that heats food to a certain temperature and cooks it for a certain time. There's nothing magic about that, it can't make food taste better. In theory every model sold does the identical thing the same way, the only difference is how it looks and whether you manually choose the time and temperature or a built in program does that for you. But the process of the heating elements getting hot and cooking your food never changes no matter how much or how little you paid for the thing. If it burns your food it’s not the toaster's fault, it has no idea what you put in the oven and what you consider "properly done". So, sorry to rain on any parades but no, this gadget won’t and can’t make your food taste any better nor will it make you the next Julia Child.
YES OR NO
This product met all of my needs as expected and I think it is in fact designed and made to a higher quality standard than cheaper ones. And the reality is that if you are looking for one that takes up a minimal amount of counter space you probably know that most of the more deluxe ones aren’t this small. It fits a niche, it may not be for everyone, but for the reasons listed above I chose this one and I’m satisfied.
I’m neither here to defend nor condemn this product, I paid a lot of my hard earned money to buy it which entitles me to my opinions. I simply believe in facts versus baseless accusations. I hope this information has been useful to you and if so please feel free to comment.
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019
SIZE
Topping the list of why I chose this model is size. I have a wonderful Cuisinart TOB-100 which to me is the ideal size for a toaster oven. It’s served me well for over five years and still works fine except, as happens, the heating elements are getting old and everything takes longer to cook. These days the popular trend is for manufacturers to be pushing extra-large toaster ovens as a replacement for a full size oven. I don’t agree, my stove works better as an oven than any toaster can possibly do and between it and a microwave and an air fryer (not to mention hotpot, steamer, slow cooker and other small appliances) using a toaster oven is nothing but a compromise and not a good one at that. The Breville Mini is the right size to toast bread, bagels, English muffins and similar things and occasionally heat up a leftover single slice of pizza. I mean, really, who really gets one of these things to bake pizzas, especially tiny eleven-inch ones?
CONVENIENCE
When I want to toast a bagel or something I just want to be able to walk over to my appliance, put the thing in, and push one button. This model does that, it remembers my last setting and if I want to make a slight one-time adjustment I don’t have to read a service manual and push and turn a bunch of knobs to do so. The button layout on this model in my opinion is far easier to use than the next model up, the Compact, which requires you to push and turn a knob and have to think about which mode it is in every time.
SPEED
The Breville line of toaster ovens use quartz tubes for heat. That is not my preferred choice. I’ve had plenty of ones that use this technology and while it is definitely faster than the metal rod elements my Cuisinart uses the quartz tubes have several downsides. First off, in reality they are nothing more than a high power light bulb and like most bulbs the more powerful they are the more heat they give off. Being a glass tube they are fragile and delicate and like most bulbs they have a relatively short life then they burn out (they are replaceable if you’re handy with such things). Metal heating element rods usually don’t get quite as hot and they take a lot longer to heat up to temperature than quartz tubes which are instant on. But metal rods can last far longer than a glass tube, especially if they get splashed with grease, which is a common event in a toaster oven. A metal rod can simply burn the grease off but a glass tube can shatter or instantly burn out. So I only consider ovens of this type conditionally acceptable if you use a lot of care to protect the tubes from getting splashed.
SMART
They use the word smart loosely, this oven doesn’t really sense the doneness of your food like some toasters I have owned. It simply determines how much heat to use for how long depending on what you tell it to do, so you are really the one doing the smarts. To me the word smart really goes back to the word convenience – being able to choose a setting with one simple dial, adjust time and temperature with simple push buttons, having a large clearly marked on/off button, having the display change color to tell you it’s cooking, and having a convenient button to add a little more cooking time if you need it without resetting everything from scratch.
WISH THEY DIDN’T
I mentioned that the size of the oven was my most important factor is choosing this model. The layout of the controls was second and the speed was the third. None of the other models I considered had all three. There are a few minor things that I don’t care for though. One is the etched on writing on the door reminding me which shelf position to use to cook various things, I think it is useless and the painted on labels detract from the look of the device and of my kitchen. I also don’t like that there is no hook to slide the wire shelf out when I open the door. This used to be standard on every toaster oven. I think it’s inconvenient and dangerous not to have it. The last thing isn’t a negative, it’s an observation – I cannot understand why anyone would complain about this or any toaster product because “it gets hot”. What are they expecting, on what planet does an appliance meant to toast something not get hot? For the record this model doesn’t get much hotter or stay any cooler than any other toaster I’ve owned, in fact using professional grade thermography test equipment I measured the outer cabinet to be slightly cooler than the Cuisinart. The simple answer is that your mom should have taught you a long time ago not to touch a hot stove. There is one review I read suggesting to use an extension cord so you can push this toaster right up to the wall in your kitchen. DON’T! You will burn your house down. If the little pull tab on the power cord bothers you, simply plug it in to another outlet that’s not located right behind the toaster. But never use any extension cord on any toaster and never push it any closer to the wall than the manufacturer tells you to.
MORE ABOUT IT BEING TOO HOT
Since there are several one star reviews that dismiss it for the sole reason that it “gets hot”, here are some extra facts about that topic. If you set your oven for 400 degrees its temperature is going to be 400 degrees. It doesn’t matter if you have a Breville, an Oster, a Cuisinart or a no-name brand they will all be the same temperature inside. If it’s not getting hot and your oven is cold it’s not doing its job and that’s what someone should be complaining about, not that it gets hot. A toaster isn’t a toaster if it doesn’t get hot. The more powerful it is, the higher the wattage will be and the faster it will toast – and the result of that is heat. It’s simple science. A hot toaster is a good thing and people who buy it should be adult enough not to touch it, place it close to a wall, put anything on it that can melt or burn, or allow children to play with it like a toy. I don’t know how anyone can expect any stove or toaster to cook and not get hot, and I’m even more baffled why they would complain about it and consider it a defect or a reason to give it a negative review. I attached those professional thermal imaging photos showing my highly rated Cuisinart next to the Mini to directly compare the amount of heat created by both of them. See for yourself.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Based on user comments there are most commonly misunderstood concerns about this product’s reliability. Here is some info that may be helpful in determining the true cause for a perceived issue.
1. It gets hot – as discussed earlier that is not a fault but rather simply how a toaster works
2. It smokes – that’s steam, a normal byproduct of what food does when it heat it. If it’s real smoke then your food is burning, that would be a user error
3. It’s too small – they make other sizes, if this model is too small don’t buy it
4. The dial is hard to read – choose another model or brand, after using it 2-3 times you will learn where your favorite settings are without having to even look at the dial
5. The weird plug – keep complaining, maybe they will eventually listen. That hook doesn’t make much sense but if it’s in the way just plug it in to a different outlet
6. It “broke” – I have yet to read any review giving details what they mean by broke. As I have explained earlier this model (as well as many other brands) use glass tubes that are essentially light bulbs. Those are delicate and can break and they will absolutely burn out. That’s not a defect, it’s the trade off for an oven that gets hot fast. If that concerns you buy an oven with metal heating rods
7. That clicking sound – again, not a defect. Quartz tube ovens work by turning the light bulb on and off, the temperature of the bulb itself can’t actually be controlled. What you are hearing is the relay that powers the bulb on and off, it’s normal and it has to do that. If it really bothers you get an oven that uses metal heating rods, they don’t click. Oh, and I really can’t even hear the clicking unless I’m standing right in front of it.
A DOSE OF REALITY
I am constantly amused about comments about how some users either love or hate the way a toaster oven cooks, as if they could really tell a difference. This appliance is one of the most basic things in a kitchen, a technology that goes back to the stone age. In the simplest terms, it's a metal box with a wire rack that heats food to a certain temperature and cooks it for a certain time. There's nothing magic about that, it can't make food taste better. In theory every model sold does the identical thing the same way, the only difference is how it looks and whether you manually choose the time and temperature or a built in program does that for you. But the process of the heating elements getting hot and cooking your food never changes no matter how much or how little you paid for the thing. If it burns your food it’s not the toaster's fault, it has no idea what you put in the oven and what you consider "properly done". So, sorry to rain on any parades but no, this gadget won’t and can’t make your food taste any better nor will it make you the next Julia Child.
YES OR NO
This product met all of my needs as expected and I think it is in fact designed and made to a higher quality standard than cheaper ones. And the reality is that if you are looking for one that takes up a minimal amount of counter space you probably know that most of the more deluxe ones aren’t this small. It fits a niche, it may not be for everyone, but for the reasons listed above I chose this one and I’m satisfied.
I’m neither here to defend nor condemn this product, I paid a lot of my hard earned money to buy it which entitles me to my opinions. I simply believe in facts versus baseless accusations. I hope this information has been useful to you and if so please feel free to comment.
My research paid off and this is the best, easiest to use oven I've ever owned. The heating, timer and ease of use is just perfect. Now I have never used this type of oven for simple toast as I believe a regular toaster is best for that, but I do toast sandwiches in it and its great. I'm glad I spent a little more as this appears to be of such good quality that it will likely outlast two or three of the cheapy ovens.
Top reviews from other countries
Price: I did considerable research before I made the purchase. At the time of my purchase, Amazon offered the best price which was at least CAD$20 cheaper than any online stores or retailers in Vancouver.
Design: It has a sleek and clean design in matt stainless steel which, I think, will go with any classic or contemporary kitchen design. The interior matt stainless steel and the sliding crumb tray make cleaning easy and convenient. The control panel has a user-friendly design, and the function dial, LCD screen and buttons for various settings are all large and easy to read and use. The LCD screen indicates if the oven is preheating, and when it reaches the pre-set temperature, the cooking time will start counting down automatically throughout the cooking cycle. It is almost a fool-proof design!
Functions: We use the Toast function almost every day. It can toast up to 4 slices of bread at a time and the browning settings range from 1 to 7 (the darkest). However, I have never made a toast with browning setting higher than 3 and it usually takes no more than 2 minutes to brown a toast to my desired crispiness. The Bagel function is good for toasting bagel, or reheating a pizza or open sandwich as it gives out higher temperature to the top without burning the bottom of the toast.
Before the Bake, Roast, Reheat and Pizza functions operate, it first starts at the pre-heating mode. This mini oven takes quite a short time to preheat and can reach a temperature of 425F within just 3 minutes. This saves a lot of energy compared to my conventional oven.
The Broil function does not require preheating and therefore makes it a great helper in my cooking. This is particular helpful when you do stir-frying and want to sear certain ingredients, such as fish or meat slices, before mixing them with other ingredients which require just quick stir-frying. I never use my conventional oven for searing because it will cost so much time and energy for preheating.
My limited experience with the Pizza function is not particularly good because it tends to make the pizza crust too dry and hard. Perhaps I just need more practice. This oven is large enough for a 10 inch pizza.
Special notes:
The 'A Bit More' button is a super design and we use it all the time! If the food is not yet cooked to our desired liking at the end of the cooking cycle, we press this button to add just a bit more time to continue the cooking cycle. For example, by pressing the button once, it adds 30 seconds to Toast, 2 minutes to Broil, and 5 minutes to Bake, etc. I can use this button anytime during the cooking cycle or immediately after.
This oven has three rack positions where you can place the wire rack. In the manual, it suggests the top position for Broil. I must say that I have never used the top position for any function because this will leave your food very close to the top heating element and you will get it burnt easily for whatever function you use. Similarly, when I use the bottom rack position for Bake or Roast, I sometimes find the bottom of the food a bit too dark. I cannot use the middle rack position for Bake or Roast because the overall interior height is just about 4.5 inches and there is not enough 'height' to move around some food, such as a medium-sized potato or yam. If I were to redesign it, I would just spread the interior height of the oven evenly into two rack positions so that in either rack position, the food will not be too close to the heating element.
This mini oven has quite a loud and sharp beeper and it sounds once every time you press any button and three times at the end of the preheating or cooking cycle. I find it a bit annoying, but over time have got used to it. I mentioned it because it might be a nuisance to other members of your household if your kitchen is near a study room or bedroom.
Finally, I need to mention that the top of the oven can get very hot during its operation and it sometimes warm up my upper kitchen cabinet a bit. Therefore you need to make sure that there is sufficient clearance between the top of the oven and your upper cabinets. Also, when I Bake or Roast, I would pull the oven a bit away from the backsplash so that the oven is not directly under the upper cabinets. I can also 're-direct' the heat by placing a plate or a cooked dish on the top of the oven and use it as a warming tray.
Conclusion: My husband and I both agreed that this was one of the best small appliances we had purchased. What we thought would be used primarily for making toasts or reheating leftovers has turned out to be a great helper in my everyday cooking. I gave it 5 stars even though there is room for improvement. If there was the choice, I would have given it four and a half stars. This Breville Mini Smart Oven is the smallest one in its series and it also comes in two other sizes. I highly recommend this mini oven to small households and would advise bigger households to consider the larger ones. By coincidence, my sister-in-law has been using the largest one for more than two years for her growing family.