Microwave Oven vs. Toaster Oven

A microwave oven and a toaster oven are typically used for a lot of the same things in the kitchen. Both can cook smaller amounts of food, frozen foods, and reheat leftovers. That’s why it can feel overwhelming to choose between the two.

When it comes to quick cooking and reheating, the toaster oven and microwave are both top contenders. However, there are a lot of differences in what these two ovens can do. You want a kitchen appliance that fits your lifestyle, cooking habits, and budget. Learn about how these appliances work and compare their strengths and weaknesses to determine which is right for you with this guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

How Do They Work?

The main reason microwave ovens and toaster ovens produce such different results is because of how they cook your food.

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens use electromagnetic waves called microwaves to heat food. These microwaves cause water molecules in your food to vibrate rapidly, creating heat that cooks or reheats your meal. This process is incredibly fast but works best with foods that contain moisture.

Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens work much like a smaller version of conventional ovens. They use heating elements to create hot air that warms your food. Although they take longer than microwaves, they can brown, crisp, and roast your food similar to a traditional oven.

Microwave Ovens

If you’ve ever used a microwave oven, you know how handy they are. Just pop your food in, hit a button, and seconds later, it’s hot.

Advantages:

• Incredibly Fast: They heat food in a fraction of the time it takes any other appliance. They’re great for quick, every day use like heating snacks or quick meals.
• Budget-Friendly: They are relatively inexpensive. You can find reliable models starting around $100, making them a more affordable cooking appliance.
• Energy Efficient: When heating a small portion of food, they use less energy than toaster ovens. This is because they heat food directly rather than heating up an entire cooking chamber first.
• Easy to Clean: A quick wipe-down inside and out is usually all that’s needed to clean up splatters. Many models even have removable turntables that can go right into the dishwasher.

Drawbacks:

• Limited Cooking Functions: You can’t use a microwave to brown, toast, roast, or achieve a crispy texture. You’ll never get golden-brown toast or crispy pizza crust from a microwave.
• Texture Issues: The rapid heating process can sometimes make reheated foods less appealing. Breads often become chewy, foods with crispy coatings lose their crunch, and other foods may dry out.
• Food Restrictions: While they’re great for reheating, there are many foods you can’t fully cook in a microwave, such as raw meats or pizzas.
• Cookware Restrictions: You can only use microwave-safe containers in them. Metal cookware is off-limits.

Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens are just like a miniature version of your full-size oven. You can use them for all the same things, just on a smaller scale. You can roast meats and bake breads, pizzas, cookies, and more in a toaster oven.

Advantages:

• Extremely Versatile: They can toast, bake, broil, roast, and reheat foods. You can cook everything from a pizza to a small batch of cookies and even raw meat. They do everything an oven, microwave, and toaster can do.
• Superior Food Quality: Because they cook with dry heat, they can make food brown and crispy. Reheated food will come out tasting fresh.
• Accommodates More Cookware: You can use virtually any oven-safe dish, including metal, glass, and ceramic bakeware.
• Space Efficiency: They act as a second oven. So they’re perfect for cooking small portions without using your regular oven. This can make a big difference in your energy bills. It’s also useful when you’re cooking multiple things at once and need extra oven space.

Drawbacks:

• Longer Cooking Times: They need time to preheat and cook food and are much slower than a microwave.
• Higher Upfront Cost: Quality toaster ovens are more expensive than basic microwaves.
• More Complex Cleaning: You’ll need to clean multiple components, including the crumb tray, wire wracks, and interior surfaces regularly.
• Less Energy Efficient: They consume more energy than microwaves since they need to heat up the entire cooking chamber and maintain that temperature throughout the cooking process.

Which Oven Is Right for You?

So should you buy a microwave or a toaster oven? Your decision should depend on your cooking habits and lifestyle.

Choose a microwave if:

• Speed is your number-one priority.
• You primarily need to reheat leftovers, drinks, or pre-packaged meals.
• You have limited countertop space and need a compact option.
• You’re looking for the most affordable option.

Choose a toaster oven if:

• You want to bake, roast, or broil small portions.
• You value food texture and want things to be crispy and browned.
• You want a mini oven to supplement your main oven.
• You don’t mind waiting longer for better-tasting results.

Choose both if:

• You have adequate counter space and budget.
• You want maximum flexibility in your kitchen.
• You cook often and value both speed and quality.
• You entertain often and need multiple appliances working at once.

Ultimately, many households find that having both appliances serves different purposes when deciding between a microwave vs. toaster oven. Microwaves handle the quick reheats, while toaster ovens can manage more advanced cooking tasks. If you can only choose one, consider your cooking habits to find the small appliance that best matches your daily routine.

For more buying guides like this one, check out our other Appliances articles.