Buying Guide to Toaster Ovens
On the surface, toaster ovens appear to be simple appliances. After all, when all you need an oven to do is toast bread, how complicated can they be? The truth is somewhat more complicated.
You should consider multiple factors when choosing the right commercial toaster oven for your business. How much toast do you need to make per hour? How quickly can the oven make it? Can the oven toast buns and bagels as well as sliced bread? And, most importantly, how well does the toaster, well, toast? Let Chefs’ Toys guide you through the process of choosing toaster ovens.
Types of Toaster Ovens
Commercial toaster ovens come in two basic types: pop-up toasters and conveyor toasters. Each type of toaster oven has its advantages depending on your unique needs.
Pop-Up Toaster Ovens
A commercial pop-up toaster resembles a traditional residential toaster, with two to four slots where you drop bread or English muffins. Commercial pop-up toasters are much more powerful than residential models and capable of toasting anywhere from 60 to 380 slices an hour. Many pop-up toaster ovens can also toast bagels.
The clear advantage of a pop-up toaster is its compact size. Most pop-up toaster ovens only require 120 volts, although some heavy-duty models need 240 volts. You cannot adjust the operating temperature of most pop-up toaster ovens. Instead, you adjust the toasting time, with longer toasting times resulting in darker, crisper toast.
Ideal for:
- Small cafes
- Coffee shops
- Breakfast buffets
- Diners
- Low-volume hotels
Conveyor Toasters
Commercial conveyor toaster ovens work by placing bread on a slowly moving conveyor belt which passes through a heating chamber for fast, consistent toasting. Once toasted, the product drops down a chute into a collection area.
Conveyor toaster ovens offer higher output than commercial pop-up toasters and can toast between 200 to 2,400 slices of bread an hour. Adjusting the speed of the conveyer adjusts the level of toasting required: a faster speed results in lighter toast. Some models allow you to adjust the temperature of the elements or to turn one element off for toasting on only one side.
Commercial conveyor toasters take up more space than pop-up toasters and average 15-24 inches wide and 18-26 inches deep. Low-production models usually require a 120V connection, but a conveyor toaster capable of processing over 500 slices an hour may require a 208/240V or 240V connection.
Ideal for:
- Breakfast buffets
- Catering businesses
- Delis and sandwich shops
- Large diners
- Cafeterias
Things to Consider before Purchasing a Commercial Toaster Oven
- How much space does the toaster require? Remember to consider clearance if you’re purchasing a tall model.
- How much toast will you need? Low-output toasters in high-volume settings cause delays and upset customers. Choose a toaster with a capacity 15-20% higher than your predicted volume to allow for business growth.
- How quickly should the toaster work? Conveyor toasters are the fastest units based on slices per hour but may be more than a low-volume establishment needs.
- What are the toaster’s electric requirements? Will it run on a standard 120V, or will you need a 208/240V or 240V connection?
- What will you need to toast? Some toaster ovens only toast bread. Others can toast buns, bagels, English muffins, and frozen waffles.
