The ultimate kitchen cooking appliance

[vivalarevolución]

I recently moved into a new place.  I don't have a microwave.  But I would like a cooking appliance in addition to the stove and oven with more functionality than a microwave.  And I only want to bug one appliance, for space reasons.  I'm thinking a convection toaster oven might be the low-cost ticket. But these microwaves with built-in grills or broilers also catch my eye.  So what is your ultimate kitchen cooking appliance?

[iri]

A multi-cooker obviously.

[tacnificent]

Microwave grill? How does that work?

[Waateva]

Convection toaster ovens are awesome, I would recommend that

[tp4tissue]

No, get the microwave...  microwave is better..  AND FASTER..

[vivalarevolución]

Microwave grill? How does that work?

There is like a broiler or grill in the microwave.  I did not know these things existed until I started this search.

[vivalarevolución]

No, get the microwave...  microwave is better..  AND FASTER..

I realized that I only use a microwave for reheating.  So I'm looking for something more versatile.

[tp4tissue]

Microwave grill? How does that work?

There is like a broiler or grill in the microwave.  I did not know these things existed until I started this search.

It doesn't work the same way..   because microwave is not good for removing large amounts of fumes caused by braising meats..

Even if it does vent the fumes, it'd vent it where,  directly into the middle of your kitchem.. Most microwaves wouldn't be placed under the range hood. .

[noisyturtle]

CONVECTION OVEN IS THE BEST APPLIANCE EVER

if you've never had one, they are basically the efficiency of a microwave with the flavor of an oven. once you tried it you can never go back to ****ty microwaves and standard ovens. You can just but entire chickens and throw them in there with no prep, it's amazing.

[fohat.digs]

CONVECTION OVEN IS THE BEST APPLIANCE EVER

True that. But I use a microwave oven and a toaster oven regularly as well.

But if it was down to one small cheap appliance I think that I would choose the toaster oven.
The microwave will do more variety but that caramelized brown exterior is where the flavor is.

[nugglets]

Convection toaster oven, too OP. But one that is changeable between convection and conventional modes, because some things are actually not as good with convection.

[pr0ximity]

If you steam things regularly and like rice a decent rice cooker is surprisingly versatile. Can steam veggies while cooking rice, has recipes I haven't tried for making stews as well. In college I cooked a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in one.

I have a microwave with a broiler element on it. I wouldn't recommend at least my model, it takes forever to heat up, and I've accidentally microwaved things instead of toasted them. Let me tell you, a bagel microwaved for 7+ minutes is SHOCKINGLY terrible smelling, my old apartment was never quite the same. Entire microwave filled with thick yellow smoke, came out of the vents and stained the top of the fridge... lol.

Depending on what you cook, a toaster oven (or convection, but I've never had one myself) might be more useful to you.

[tp4tissue]

If you steam things regularly and like rice a decent rice cooker is surprisingly versatile. Can steam veggies while cooking rice, has recipes I haven't tried for making stews as well. In college I cooked a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in one.

I have a microwave with a broiler element on it. I wouldn't recommend at least my model, it takes forever to heat up, and I've accidentally microwaved things instead of toasted them. Let me tell you, a bagel microwaved for 7+ minutes is SHOCKINGLY terrible smelling, my old apartment was never quite the same. Entire microwave filled with thick yellow smoke, came out of the vents and stained the top of the fridge... lol.

Depending on what you cook, a toaster oven (or convection, but I've never had one myself) might be more useful to you.

LIES..

I've never seen anyone cook anything besides rice in the rice cooker..

I think it may be that even if you could,  it'd take longer than on the stove.

[nugglets]

If you steam things regularly and like rice a decent rice cooker is surprisingly versatile. Can steam veggies while cooking rice, has recipes I haven't tried for making stews as well. In college I cooked a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in one.

I have a microwave with a broiler element on it. I wouldn't recommend at least my model, it takes forever to heat up, and I've accidentally microwaved things instead of toasted them. Let me tell you, a bagel microwaved for 7+ minutes is SHOCKINGLY terrible smelling, my old apartment was never quite the same. Entire microwave filled with thick yellow smoke, came out of the vents and stained the top of the fridge... lol.

Depending on what you cook, a toaster oven (or convection, but I've never had one myself) might be more useful to you.

LIES..

I've never seen anyone cook anything besides rice in the rice cooker..

I think it may be that even if you could,  it'd take longer than on the stove.

I do it all the time. Throw a bunch of veggies in with the water and rice, even. Works great. Mine also has the steamer basket if you want to cook both separately, but I barely ever bother with that anymore. It may not be any faster, but it's certainly easy to push a button and just walk away.

I also visited some friends in Thailand a few years back, and a bunch of people did the same thing. The building they were in didn't have stoves in the units, so nearly everyone had a hibachi by the window and everything else was made in the rice cooker.

[noisyturtle]

If you steam things regularly and like rice a decent rice cooker is surprisingly versatile. Can steam veggies while cooking rice, has recipes I haven't tried for making stews as well. In college I cooked a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in one.

I have a microwave with a broiler element on it. I wouldn't recommend at least my model, it takes forever to heat up, and I've accidentally microwaved things instead of toasted them. Let me tell you, a bagel microwaved for 7+ minutes is SHOCKINGLY terrible smelling, my old apartment was never quite the same. Entire microwave filled with thick yellow smoke, came out of the vents and stained the top of the fridge... lol.

Depending on what you cook, a toaster oven (or convection, but I've never had one myself) might be more useful to you.

LIES..

I've never seen anyone cook anything besides rice in the rice cooker..

I think it may be that even if you could,  it'd take longer than on the stove.

Conversely, I once made rice in a crock pot

[xtrafrood]

If you steam things regularly and like rice a decent rice cooker is surprisingly versatile. Can steam veggies while cooking rice, has recipes I haven't tried for making stews as well. In college I cooked a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches in one.

I have a microwave with a broiler element on it. I wouldn't recommend at least my model, it takes forever to heat up, and I've accidentally microwaved things instead of toasted them. Let me tell you, a bagel microwaved for 7+ minutes is SHOCKINGLY terrible smelling, my old apartment was never quite the same. Entire microwave filled with thick yellow smoke, came out of the vents and stained the top of the fridge... lol.

Depending on what you cook, a toaster oven (or convection, but I've never had one myself) might be more useful to you.

LIES..

I've never seen anyone cook anything besides rice in the rice cooker..

I think it may be that even if you could,  it'd take longer than on the stove.

I do it all the time. Throw a bunch of veggies in with the water and rice, even. Works great. Mine also has the steamer basket if you want to cook both separately, but I barely ever bother with that anymore. It may not be any faster, but it's certainly easy to push a button and just walk away.

I also visited some friends in Thailand a few years back, and a bunch of people did the same thing. The building they were in didn't have stoves in the units, so nearly everyone had a hibachi by the window and everything else was made in the rice cooker.

I had one with a steamer thing for veggies but I would prefer a toaster oven. Never used a convection oven but I'm sure that would be awesome as well

[chyros]

No-one here just use a ****ing kitchen stove like me? xD

[Aran.E99]

or you could buy a massive gas powered barbecue and spend time outside because the sun is apparently good for your health

[vivalarevolución]

or you could buy a massive gas powered barbecue and spend time outside because the sun is apparently good for your health

I'm more of a charcoal guy.

Anyways, seems the convection toaster oven is the way to go.  Interesting.  I have been looking into the Breville or Cuisinart models.  Go big or go home.  Looks like I can get one used for a solid discount.

[xtrafrood]

No-one here just use a ****ing kitchen stove like me? xD

There's no stove here bro. It's like a NYC efficiency or something

[tp4tissue]

Some places have cheaper electricity vs Gas..  So those places usually got the electric burners..

[xtrafrood]

The only natural gas tanks I see in my surrounding area are near mobile homes way out in the swampy areas. I think it's more of a public safety thing here in Florida, but I could be wrong about that. Tiny place, no room for a stove. /shrug

[chyros]

No-one here just use a ****ing kitchen stove like me? xD

There's no stove here bro. It's like a NYC efficiency or something

I guess you can have solar cookers in Florida anyway xD .

[xtrafrood]

No-one here just use a ****ing kitchen stove like me? xD

There's no stove here bro. It's like a NYC efficiency or something

I guess you can have solar cookers in Florida anyway xD .

Oh yea

[vivalarevolución]

No-one here just use a ****ing kitchen stove like me? xD

There's no stove here bro. It's like a NYC efficiency or something

Not exactly that small, I just don't like to accumulate too many appliances.  I might cave and get a microwave as well, considering I can get a decent used one for like $20 or $25 anywhere in this town.

A kitchen stove and oven are fine, but not for toasting and broiling and stuff for which an oven is overkill.

[tp4tissue]

They got these induction cooker tops now which are essentially like microwaves....  but it has even higher efficiency when it comes to boiling water..

The American versions go up to 1500watt..   I've seen asian versions go up to 2000-3000watt.. Insane power @ 220volt.

[jdcarpe]

Funny you posted this topic. The oven part of our range went out for some reason, and rather than having it repaired, we have just been using the stove. This weekend, my parents bought us an Oster convection toaster oven as an anniversary gift. It's the extra large model, which can accommodate 2 16" pizzas. We used it to bake some meatballs, which worked well, and yesterday I made some quick nachos in it using the convection function, and I swear it was as fast as heating them in the microwave. This thing is going to see a lot of use, I can tell. As an added bonus during the summer months, it doesn't heat up the kitchen like the regular oven did.

[tp4tissue]

Funny you posted this topic. The oven part of our range went out for some reason, and rather than having it repaired, we have just been using the stove. This weekend, my parents bought us an Oster convection toaster oven as an anniversary gift. It's the extra large model, which can accommodate 2 16" pizzas. We used it to bake some meatballs, which worked well, and yesterday I made some quick nachos in it using the convection function, and I swear it was as fast as heating them in the microwave. This thing is going to see a lot of use, I can tell. As an added bonus during the summer months, it doesn't heat up the kitchen like the regular oven did.

Problem with convection oven is that it doesn't heat as evenly as the regular oven..

They're bbbasically --bigger toasters.. --

[vivalarevolución]

Funny you posted this topic. The oven part of our range went out for some reason, and rather than having it repaired, we have just been using the stove. This weekend, my parents bought us an Oster convection toaster oven as an anniversary gift. It's the extra large model, which can accommodate 2 16" pizzas. We used it to bake some meatballs, which worked well, and yesterday I made some quick nachos in it using the convection function, and I swear it was as fast as heating them in the microwave. This thing is going to see a lot of use, I can tell. As an added bonus during the summer months, it doesn't heat up the kitchen like the regular oven did.

Thanks for the testimonial!

[nugglets]

Funny you posted this topic. The oven part of our range went out for some reason, and rather than having it repaired, we have just been using the stove. This weekend, my parents bought us an Oster convection toaster oven as an anniversary gift. It's the extra large model, which can accommodate 2 16" pizzas. We used it to bake some meatballs, which worked well, and yesterday I made some quick nachos in it using the convection function, and I swear it was as fast as heating them in the microwave. This thing is going to see a lot of use, I can tell. As an added bonus during the summer months, it doesn't heat up the kitchen like the regular oven did.

Problem with convection oven is that it doesn't heat as evenly as the regular oven..

They're bbbasically --bigger toasters.. --

Show Image

The whole point of a convection oven is that it heats more evenly than a conventional oven...

Unless of course you meant to say toaster oven, in which case it depends. There are extremely good ones, and extremely terrible ones. My convection toaster oven heats perfectly evenly in convection mode. The easiest way to tell is when baking cookies. There are no randomly browned ones while others are still doughy, which is what happens in every single conventional oven I've ever used.

[fohat.digs]

I had tangential experiences with convection ovens but had never owned one until about a year ago.

It is spectacularly excellent and I could count on one had the times that I have not used the convection feature.

The greatest benefit is the brown caramelized crust which is easy to get on almost anything.
 

[vivalarevolución]

So I obtained enough Amazon gift cards to buy any convection toaster oven that my heart desires.  I feel like for the first time in my life I am really rich, and can buy anything that I want.  Except being a person that loves to research but struggles at the whole decision-making part, I am at a wall.  Just go straight to the top line of the line (Breville Smart Oven)?  Get something that has some great features but is a step below top of the line (Cuisinart Rotisserie Convection Oven, etc.)?

[tacnificent]

No need to be a miser with gift cards Buy once cry once and be completely satisfied with the purchase.

[vivalarevolución]

No need to be a miser with gift cards Buy once cry once and be completely satisfied with the purchase.

Yea, I'm over thinking this.

[FrostyToast]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

[noisyturtle]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

Oh hell yeah, gas counter tops. It's been so long since I've had them but yeah they really do make food taste different in a good way.

Dang, i miss roasting poblanos right over the fire

[tp4tissue]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

Minor adjustment.. You need a Restaurant lvl BTU stove range ,  otherwise, you actually can't properly make most Asian Stirfrys..   They need ex-heat

[Waateva]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

One of the few requirements my wife and I had when looking for a new house was either a gas stove or the ability to put one in.  Once you cook on gas it's so hard to go to electric.

[nugglets]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

One of the few requirements my wife and I had when looking for a new house was either a gas stove or the ability to put one in.  Once you cook on gas it's so hard to go to electric.

Ugh. We only have an electric stove and no gas hookup. My GF owns the place, so I didn't have a say in the matter. But until I cooked here, I had only heard of electric ranges. I never knew the horror until then, it's just so ridiculously difficult to control the temperature. I had to completely relearn how to cook certain things and it sucked.

It still sucks, really, but I manage.

[xtrafrood]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

One of the few requirements my wife and I had when looking for a new house was either a gas stove or the ability to put one in.  Once you cook on gas it's so hard to go to electric.

Ugh. We only have an electric stove and no gas hookup. My GF owns the place, so I didn't have a say in the matter. But until I cooked here, I had only heard of electric ranges. I never knew the horror until then, it's just so ridiculously difficult to control the temperature. I had to completely relearn how to cook certain things and it sucked.

It still sucks, really, but I manage.

I've been in that type of situation a few times. Did the compromise involve a nice barbeque grill?

[Waateva]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

One of the few requirements my wife and I had when looking for a new house was either a gas stove or the ability to put one in.  Once you cook on gas it's so hard to go to electric.

Ugh. We only have an electric stove and no gas hookup. My GF owns the place, so I didn't have a say in the matter. But until I cooked here, I had only heard of electric ranges. I never knew the horror until then, it's just so ridiculously difficult to control the temperature. I had to completely relearn how to cook certain things and it sucked.

It still sucks, really, but I manage.

I feel ya man, my apartment for quite a few years had an electric stove and I just so happened to be working at a restaurant in the kitchen, so coming home from industrial gas stoves to residential electric was pretty brutal.  It does completely change how you need to cook certain things, and losing the ability to cook/char things like peppers, tortillas, or flatbreads sucks.

Electric is certainly usable, it's just hard to not miss the advantages of gas once you have used it.

[nugglets]

A gas stove and an oven are the best really. There is almost nothing you can't cook once you have those.
After that it's a matter of getting the right pans, pots, and cooking containers.

One of the few requirements my wife and I had when looking for a new house was either a gas stove or the ability to put one in.  Once you cook on gas it's so hard to go to electric.

Ugh. We only have an electric stove and no gas hookup. My GF owns the place, so I didn't have a say in the matter. But until I cooked here, I had only heard of electric ranges. I never knew the horror until then, it's just so ridiculously difficult to control the temperature. I had to completely relearn how to cook certain things and it sucked.

It still sucks, really, but I manage.

I've been in that type of situation a few times. Did the compromise involve a nice barbeque grill?

Haha, luckily I already had one of those... and a nice smoker. I find as many excuses as possible to use them both!

I feel ya man, my apartment for quite a few years had an electric stove and I just so happened to be working at a restaurant in the kitchen, so coming home from industrial gas stoves to residential electric was pretty brutal.  It does completely change how you need to cook certain things, and losing the ability to cook/char things like peppers, tortillas, or flatbreads sucks.

Electric is certainly usable, it's just hard to not miss the advantages of gas once you have used it.

Ya, I've definitely gotten used to it at this point. But it's certainly something I plan to remedy when we eventually move to a bigger place.

And for charring, the aforementioned grill is only a few steps away thankfully.

[noisyturtle]

I always find it odd that all the apartment complexes around here have electric stove tops and electric heaters, but they always charge you for gas every month.