Do you think you could get by with no oven in your kitchen?
You may think you need an oven because every kitchen has one. But I haven’t had one for some time.
Instead I use small appliances that use less space and less energy.
The original reason I had apartment maintenance take my oven was so that I could fit a washer into my kitchen. The kind that hooks up to your sink faucet. And I don’t regret it.
Questions Answered:
I’ve been getting some questions I will answer here. The electric skillet you see above took the place of my prior stove top.
It is a Presto Fold Away. Which means you can make it smaller in order to store it. The inside can be taken out and washed.
This one got high ratings at every online store I checked. And it was under $50.Â
I bought mine from Walmart.com.
My Electric Skillet:
Master the art of making meals. Plug in to energy-saving power that brings a heat more efficient than a range burner or oven for faster, more precise cooking.
The high walls, heavy cast aluminum nonstick construction, master heat control and dishwasher-safe design combine ease, convenience, versatility and durability in an unstoppable kitchen force. 1-year warranty. Model 06857.
- Imported
- Great for big meals
- High walls allow for extra cooking and serving capacity
- Tempered glass cover and stay-cool fold-down handles
- Master heat control maintains cooking temperature automatically
- Skillet pan and cover are dishwasher safe with heat control
- Built-in spout for pouring liquids doubles as spoon or spatula holder when skillet is in use
- Fold down handles to detach skillet from base. With handles folded in, the base and handles store compactly
Toaster/Convection Oven:
I have been debating on and reviewing toaster/convection ovens for a month. I do a LOT of research before I buy.
The one that seems to get the best ratings is not cheap. Average: $249. But there are smaller ones and other brands.
I don’t know that I will get one. But I will show you the top of the line and best rated toaster/convection oven. It is made in Australia by a company called Breville. Â
Here’s what Amazon.com says:
- 1800-watt convection toaster oven with 0.8-cubic-foot nonstick interior
- Element IQ technology for smarter
control over the heat; 9 pre-set functions. Blue back-lit LCD screen
turns orange during pre-heating. - 5 quartz heating elements; user-friendly control panel; LCD screen; 3 rack positions
- Auto-eject wire rack; removable crumb tray; pizza pan, baking pan, and broil rack included
- Measures 18-1/2 by 16-1/4 by 11-1/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Updated 1/29/19: I am now on my second Breville oven because I absolutely love them. The reason I had to buy a second one is that my apartment had a power outage and it ruined my first one.
I did not hesitate over the brand because I find the Breville to be everything I need and more.
I had a toaster oven once but did not like it because the outside of it got very hot. Make sure of that before you buy one. However, I think eventually you would put it to good use, especially in winter. I am thinking of getting a Cuisinart paninni maker soon. I don't like barbecue grills and need something for steaks and grilling.
Do you use Ebates.com for your online purchases?……they give you a certain percent back on things you buy…go to their website, sign up and enter store name in their search and they will track it and send checks…I use it every chance I can…
PS…I'm not affiliated with the website at all…just like sharing
Brenda
These all sound like great choices..I had to live without an stove/oven for a while when I was young and in my first apartment alone..I used the same type of appliances you are using and can vouch for the fact that you can live without a stove..
We love our toaster oven and use it several times a day. We love it and rarely turn the big oven on…too hot! lol You have some great choices! Hugs, Diane
These are look great / make sense. I love to cook, bake casseroles, etc in the winter. In the summer I rarely turn that oven on! My kitchen would be too hot.
When the desert calls..I have a Ginny confectionary oven picked out…a beautiful RED one…it does 10 things…so I will not need my toaster…my kitchen is smaller than yours…hope to use the oven for storage…hope I can get my little galley kitchen to be as cute as the one you did.
Looks nifty! Did your electric skillet come with a rack? I understand you can bake things like potatoes, chicken etc if you have a rack. I didn't know toaster ovens were so expensive! Mine is small and inexpensive. Just enough for 1 or 2 servings . I certainly couldn't cook a pizza or roast in it!
The skillet is fantastic. I wonder why I quit using my old electric skillet? The recipe you posted for the beef with the mushroom soup and onion soup could easily be cooked in this skillet. I had a toaster oven years ago, wasn't crazy about it. We do like to make pasta here, but gee, boiling water for it in the summer time really heats up the kitchen.
Brenda, I appreciate the research you do!
I had a countertop oven and got rid of it because of space issues when we moved to this smaller home.
I miss it! It was perfect for what little baking is needed for just two people. Breville is a very popular brand here in Canada and easy to come by here.
Do you mind if I ask how you are liking your new washer/dryer?
Brenda, I also have the Cuisinart Griddler and just love it. Thinking about a toaster oven, but don't know where I'd put it just now. I love small homes and blogs that show people how to enjoy life in a smaller space.
I love my electric fry pan! Living in Texas, who wants to turn on an oven in the summer! It just heats the house. And before moving to Texas we lived up north without air conditioning….again, no oven use in the summer. It got so that I rarely use my oven other than holidays!
I love the skillet! I might just buy one for myself. I found some wide variations of prices.for etc. Kohl.com is asking $89.99. It does help save money to comparison shop and read reviews.I never buy anything either until it' s been researched. I never noticed your missing stove when I saw your kitchen reveal, had to go back and take another look. Great job!
Please excuse the typos…darned auto-correct
Brenda, I love your choices. I've never seen anything like the first one. I like that it lifts out. I have a Breville, a medium size one. I love it. It make toasts, bakes, reheats and so on. The medium doesn't fit the pans they sell, but I have found pans that fit in it. It gets very hot here, and I use it all the time so I don't heat up the house. I bought it instead of a built in microwave. I've had it over a year now, and it still looks and acts new with daily use. Williams Sonoma carries three sizes, not all stores do. The small was a bit too small for me, and the large was more than I needed. (My microwave is at the coffee center in the laundry room, because I don't use it very often.)