When remodeling my kitchen, I was struggling with my counter space. My kitchen is tiny, and it was essential to utilize the space as efficiently as possible. I love my kitchen appliances, and I was struggling with where to put my favorite and most used appliance, my toaster oven. The question came to mind: Can I place the toaster oven under my cabinet?
Is a toaster oven-safe under a cabinet? The short answer, no under normal circumstances; it is not safe to put your toaster oven under your cabinet. If you want to place your toaster oven under a cabinet, you need to find a model designed safely to be mounted under a cabinet with plenty of insulation.
You can place your toaster oven under your cabinet, but there is more to it than taking out your toolset and mounting it. It is best to know what you are getting yourself into before your small pizza catches fire in your house.
If you are remodeling your kitchen like I was, or you are adding another kitchen appliance, you want to best experience possible, from shopping for your toaster oven to the perfect placement in your specific kitchen.
Where Is the Best Place To Keep a Toaster Oven?
It seems that no matter how big or small a kitchen is, there never seems to be enough counter space. Counter space quickly gets taken up by appliances, groceries, and at times, dishes. The biggest issue with toaster ovens is they get hot. If the toaster oven is not in the best location in your kitchen, it can quickly become a fire hazard.
Some places to keep a toaster oven:
- Countertop – This is the best option because it has plenty of ventilation. Toaster ovens should be open on three sides for optimal circulation.
- Countertop while in use, then store in the cabinet once the toaster oven cools. – If you choose this option, make sure it cannot be accidentally left on, increasing your chance for a fire.
- Open cabinet with no doors to keep the toast oven ventilated.
- If you have space, building a shelf for the toaster oven to sit on – This will also create sufficient ventilation.
- If you are in the position to do so, you can upgrade your kitchen space to create hiding spots for appliances when not in use. Again, make sure it cannot be accidentally left on, increasing your chance for a fire.
- Under a cabinet – If you choose this option, find a toaster oven designed to be mounted. To further prevent kitchen fires, purchasing a toaster shield is useful. You can buy one for $20 on Amazon.
Toaster ovens should be placed in a ventilated area, out of a cupboard to avoid overheating. Toaster ovens should also be away from the sink to avoid contact with water, and away from curtains to prevent catching fire.
If you are not sure if your toaster oven can go under a cabinet safely, make sure you read the warnings in the instruction manual that comes in the packaging.
What Are The Pros of Placing a Toaster Oven Under a Cabinet?
There certainly are positives to keeping your toaster oven under your cabinet. People, in general, do not want to give up their counter space. Any way to hide appliances to create more space is welcomed in most homes, especially ones with limited space. A clean countertop is more visually appealing than one cluttered with various kitchen appliances.
- Space-saving – If it is under your cabinet, your counter space is free for cooking preparation.
- A small kitchen on a budget – If your kitchen doesn’t have a lot of space and you are on a budget, and under-cabinet toaster oven can be your favorite cooking tool. Some models can cook pizza between 3 and 9 inches.
- Easy cleaning – If you purchase a stainless steel model, it makes clean-up a lot easier.
Some top-rated toaster ovens designed to be mounted:
- The Black and Decker TROS1000 SpaceMaker Digital Toaster Oven – Currently $349.00 on Amazon
- BLACK+DECKER TO3250XSB 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection – Currently $85.00 – $99.00 on Amazon
- Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven with Element IQ – Currently $160.00 – $180.00 on Amazon
What Are the Cons of Placing a Toaster Oven Under a Cabinet?
There certainly are negatives to keeping your toaster oven under your cabinet, the biggest being a fire risk. Whether you own, rent, are single, or have a family, a fire is a scary thing.
Having to put in a claim and re-purchase everything and losing stuff you cannot replace is something to be taken seriously. The potential for fire is real, which should be your primary deciding factor.
- Cost – When you buy a toaster oven that is designed to be placed under a cabinet, the price can be a lot higher than a toaster oven, you can pick up at your local Walmart.
- May not be efficient for cooking – Depending on what you plan on preparing for dinner, the toaster oven may not be able to handle it. With a small cooking space, you sometimes need to make sacrifices to get what you need out of your area. A toaster oven under your cabinet is probably not going to be your primary source of meal prep.
- Installing is not easy – I don’t know about you but, I am not handy when it comes to fixing anything in my house. Installing the toaster oven under your cabinet may take more skill than you possess.
- Users have reported it gets too hot – If your toaster oven is designed to go under your cabinet or not, people that have decided to do it think it still gets too hot.
- Users have reported the controls are not efficient – With different models that have knobs or LED displays have said that the controls on the toaster oven are still not useful. They either get stuck for the screen does not recognize the touch.
- Users have reported they are noisy. – I don’t know about you, but I do not like excess noise, and I certainly do not like noises coming from my kitchen.
- Choices – Few models specifically indicate that they are safe to be under a cabinet.
Where Can I Get More Information On Small Kitchen Ideas?
If you are in the middle of a remodel like I am, or you just want to organize your kitchen space, you can find great ideas here. I have started to utilize the suggestions on that website in my kitchen. I have shared the information with my friends and family that need to add more space in their kitchens too.
My favorite design on that website is to turn your stovetop into extra counter space. Before reading that suggestion, I never thought to utilize that space when it is not in use. I bought a cutting board that fits on top of my stovetop, and I use that when cutting up my vegetables.
I have started using the tops of my cabinets. I put stuff up there that I do not use daily; thus I do not have to get up there often. I put serving dishes and more substantial dishes that I have trouble fitting elsewhere.
I found the area on top of my fridge is great for cereal boxes and larger snack containers that do not fit anywhere else. There are times where I buy extra items that are on sale, and the top of the refrigerator is the perfect place to put those additional items until I need them.
Speaking of the fridge, I have installed a rolling pantry between the fridge and the wall, which is perfect for spices and smaller jars.