bit-tech Shopping: Villaware V41005 Toaster Oven

• Defrost
• Timer

• Baking
• Broiling
• Dehydrate
• Toasting

Rating: 8

Time with product: 6 Weeks

Strengths: Quiet; attractive; good alternative to full-size oven; has "dehydrate" and "defrost" features

Weaknesses: Above 30 minutes, timer sets only in 5-minute increments & maximum temperature only 400 degrees; beeps each time you press keypad; not much faster than conventional oven

Summary: The VillaWare oven is remarkably quiet when operating, and the stainless steel finish and attractive design look beautiful in our kitchen.I bought it to replace an older, round convection oven. The old oven definitely cooked foods faster than my big range, but I don't see as much difference in baking time with the VillaWare oven. Also, my old oven had manual controls, so I could instantly set the timer to any number of minutes I wanted. With the VillaWare oven, I can't, say, set it to 32 minutes (which I just tried to do)--beyond 30 minutes, it jumps ahead in 5 minute increments. And every time I press the keypad it beeps, which sometimes bothers me or other family members slightly.My old oven also reached 500 degrees, whereas 400 degrees is the highest temperature the VillaWare oven goes. There are a number of things I bake regularly that require 425 degrees, so I wish it went at least that high. That is the main reason I'm rating it 4 stars rather than 5. But these are small things, really. If I had to select between my older model and the new one, I'd certainly choose the VillaWare oven. My old oven couldn't easily accommodate a pizza, for instance, and all baking pans were difficult to remove (if they fit at all) because of the round shape of the oven. I'm very pleased with the larger capacity afforded by my new convection oven--most everything that fits into my full-size range also fits into the VillaWare oven, with room to spare for an oven mitt. It even has its own "pizza" setting with 3 crisping levels!I also like that the oven includes "dehydrate" and "defrost" functions. I tried dehydrating some fruit, but the pieces were too small to fit directly on the rack as directed, and they didn't dry very well on the sheet of foil I used. If I didn't already have a food dehydrator, I'd probably buy a screen of some sort to put smaller foods on. I haven't yet tried the "defrost" setting, but it's nice to know that it's there.I baked one cake in the oven, using the "fan bake" setting. It ended up raised in the middle, with some of the batter there not quite cooked, though the outer edges had begun to crisp. I had similar results with my old oven, I think because the convection fan pulls the batter upward. Next time, I'll try the regular "bake" setting.I have not yet tried the "toast" or "broil" functions, but again, it's good to know they're there when I need them.Probably my favorite aspect of this oven is that it doesn't heat the kitchen up much on these hot summer days, and it uses less electricity than the big range.Overall, this is a great oven and I am very happy I purchased mine--I'd give it 4-1/2 stars if that were an option!

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: I baked a chichen and it tasted liked it had come from an expensive rotisserie. The toast comes out perfect and the convection bakes potatoes in no time.

Weaknesses: It would be nice to have self cleaning surfaces even though I have had it for about 2 months and it is not dirty yet.

Summary: This is a replacement for an old toaster oven I bought at a thrift store for $17.00 almost 10 years ago. All I did in it was toast and bake potatoes and it was perfect for both of those things, but after lots of research and buying and returning an Oster, I think I have found the perfect replacement and I will do a lot of different kinds of cookng with it, then I did with the last one.