I still remember the first time I tried a microwave and toaster oven combo. My small kitchen suddenly felt way more functional. Instead of juggling multiple appliances, I had one countertop companion that could handle everything from reheating last night’s leftovers to baking a small batch of cookies. If you’re like me, you want appliances that save time, reduce clutter, and still let you make great food. In this guide, I’ll share what I’ve learned about using a microwave and toaster oven combo effectively.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
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How each appliance heats food differently
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Cooking times and why they matter
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Choosing the right size and features
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Foods each appliance does best
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Cleaning and maintenance tips
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Installation advice
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Extra tricks, tips, and personal hacks
How Heat Works: Why It Matters
I love learning how my appliances actually cook my meals. Toaster ovens work like mini conventional ovens. They heat electric coils that cook food from the outside in, giving a crispy, golden finish. Perfect for small roasted dishes or baked goods that need a little color.
Microwaves, on the other hand, are a bit more magical. They create electromagnetic waves that make water and fat molecules vibrate, cooking food from the inside out. This makes them ideal for reheating liquids, soups, or anything that needs fast, even warming.
My favorite trick? I often microwave food first to heat it through, then finish it in the toaster oven for a crispy texture. It’s a simple way to get fast and flavorful results.
Quick tip: For more ideas on multitasking with small appliances, check my guide on kitchen appliance multitasking.
Cooking Times: Fast vs. Flavorful
Cooking time is where these appliances really show their strengths. Microwaves are speed demons. They don’t need preheating, and their inside-out cooking means meals are ready in minutes. I often use mine for warming coffee, reheating leftovers, or steaming veggies.
Toaster ovens are slower, but that’s not a bad thing. The slower heating lets food cook evenly without burning. I use my toaster oven for:
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Crisping up leftover pizza
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Roasting small veggies
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Baking small batches of muffins or rolls
Some combo appliances give you the best of both worlds. They can microwave for speed, then use convection or air fry modes for browning and crisping. It’s like having two appliances in one.
Size and Capacity: Picking the Right Fit
I learned quickly that size matters. My toaster oven fits nicely on the countertop, roughly 16–20 inches wide and 8–10 inches deep, and handles small batches perfectly. I can toast 4 slices of bread or bake a dozen cookies without crowding the oven.
Microwave sizes vary more. Standard models are 10–22 inches high, 21–30 inches wide, and 15–25 inches deep, with capacities from 1.1–2.2 cubic feet. Some low-profile versions leave cooktop space free while still holding large dishes like casseroles or sheet pans.
When choosing a combo, I focused on countertop footprint versus capacity. I needed something big enough for family meals but compact enough for my kitchen layout.
Features That Make Life Easier
Over time, I’ve realized which features are worth investing in:
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Cooking Modes: Convection, grill, and air fry allow you to crisp, roast, and bake in one appliance.
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Digital Controls vs. Dials: I like the flexibility of both. Quick meals get a dial; precision baking gets a digital panel.
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Removable Components: Trays, racks, and crumb catchers should be easy to clean. This makes post-meal cleanup painless.
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Safety Features: Cool-touch handles, auto shut-off, and sturdy doors make my kitchen safer.
Internal link idea: Learn about choosing the right kitchen gadgets to match your counter space and cooking style.
Foods Each Appliance Excels At
Over the years, I’ve found that both appliances are versatile but shine in different situations.
Toaster Oven:
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Browning, crisping, or toasting foods
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Small roasted dishes like veggies or bacon-wrapped scallops
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Baking small batches like muffins, cookies, or rolls
Microwave:
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Reheating leftovers and beverages
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High-water-content foods like soups, lattes, or steamed vegetables
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Some models even bake, roast, or grill with convection and air fry modes
One of my favorite tricks is microwave first, toaster oven second. For example, frozen casseroles heat through in the microwave, then I finish them in the toaster oven for a golden top.
Extra Tricks I’ve Learned
Here are a few personal hacks I can’t live without:
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Split cooking: Heat dense foods in the microwave, crisp the edges in the toaster oven.
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Timing is everything: Use the microwave for speed when short on time, and the toaster oven for finishing touches.
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Bake in silicone or glass pans: They work well in both appliances and are easy to clean.
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Use air fry mode wisely: You can get fried textures with less oil.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Keeping my combo in top shape is simple if I follow a routine:
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Wipe down after every use: Avoid sticky messes and splatters.
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Check trays and racks: Make sure nothing is warped or burnt.
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Mind ventilation: Keep space around the appliance clear.
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Handle cords carefully: Don’t wrap too tightly.
Microwave steam-clean features are a lifesaver. Toaster ovens need a bit more attention with racks and crumb trays, but I promise it’s worth it for that crispy finish.
Installation and Placement
Microwaves offer flexible installation: built-in, countertop, or over-the-range. Toaster ovens mostly stay on the counter, with some models able to fit under cabinets. I made sure to leave clearance around my toaster oven for airflow. A little extra space goes a long way in preventing overheating and making it easier to use.
Can a Toaster Oven Replace a Microwave?
Technically, yes, but with caveats. Toaster ovens cook slower and are best for browning foods with low water content. Microwaves handle liquids, soups, and quick reheats much faster.
Here’s my rule of thumb:
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Toaster Oven: Crisping, roasting, baking small batches
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Microwave: Quick meals, steaming, reheating liquids
Fun fact: I sometimes think of my combo as a kitchen tag team, each player has its moment to shine.
Choosing What’s Right for You
It depends on your kitchen habits:
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Toaster Oven: Great for browning bread, reheating pizza, and baking small batches.
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Microwave: Quick cooking, drinks, soups, and reheating meals with high water content.
A combo appliance offers both in one unit, cutting down clutter while giving more cooking options.
My Favorite Models
Here’s what I’ve used and loved:
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KitchenAid® Countertop Oven: Up to 12 cooking settings including air fry, bake, dehydration, pizza, and dough proofing.
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KitchenAid® Microwaves: Air fry and grill modes, convection options, low-profile designs.
They cover everything from weekday dinners to weekend baking projects, without juggling multiple appliances.
(FAQ)
Q1: Can a toaster oven really replace a microwave?
A1: Technically yes, but with a catch. Toaster ovens are great for crisping, roasting, or baking small batches. Microwaves excel at reheating liquids, steaming, or heating meals quickly. I usually use both: microwave first, toaster oven second for a golden finish.
Q2: What’s the best way to clean a microwave and toaster oven combo?
A2: I like to wipe down both after every use to prevent buildup. Removable trays and racks in toaster ovens make cleaning easy. Some microwaves have steam-clean features, which are perfect for quick wipe-downs. Don’t forget to leave space for ventilation—keeps everything cool and happy.
Q3: Can I bake a cake in a microwave and toaster oven combo?
A3: Absolutely! I often use a microwave to soften ingredients and a toaster oven to give a nice golden top. Silicone or glass pans work best in both appliances. Just keep an eye on cooking times—they’ll differ from a full-sized oven.
Q4: Which foods are better in a toaster oven vs. microwave?
A4: Toaster ovens are perfect for foods that need crisping or browning, like pizza, roasted veggies, or rolls. Microwaves shine with liquids, soups, and high-water-content foods like stews or coffee lattes. Using both can get the best of both worlds.
Q5: How do I know which combo appliance is right for my kitchen?
A5: Think about what you cook most often and how much counter space you have. If you like browning and baking small batches, a toaster oven-heavy combo works. If speed and reheating liquids are key, a microwave-focused combo is better. Personally, I love appliances that give me a bit of both.
Q6: Do I need to preheat my toaster oven?
A6: Usually, yes. Preheating ensures even cooking and crispy edges. Unlike microwaves, toaster ovens heat from the outside in, so giving it a few minutes upfront makes a big difference.
Final Thoughts
For me, a microwave and toaster oven combo is a countertop lifesaver. Less clutter, more versatility, and faster meals. I can steam, crisp, roast, or reheat—all with one appliance.
If you want to save space, reduce appliance juggling, and expand your cooking options, a combo is definitely worth considering. My kitchen hasn’t been the same since I added mine.