BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB 4-Slice Toaster Oven: A Compact and Nifty Baking Buddy

In today’s fast-paced world, the modern kitchen often demands a delicate balance between space efficiency and versatile functionality. We seek appliances that can keep up with our busy lifestyles without dominating our precious counter space. The BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB 4-Slice Toaster Oven emerges as a compelling solution, offering a compact footprint without compromising on performance. This isn’t just a toaster; it’s a multi-functional appliance designed to streamline your cooking experience.

A Compact Design with a Spacious Interior

One of the most immediate advantages of the BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB is its remarkably compact design. With dimensions of just 11.63 x 16.86 x 9.07 inches, it occupies minimal counter space, making it an ideal choice for apartments, dorm rooms, or any kitchen where space is a premium. Yet, despite its small exterior, this toaster oven boasts a surprisingly generous interior, comfortably accommodating a 9-inch pizza or four slices of bread. This thoughtful design allows you to enjoy the convenience of a toaster oven without sacrificing valuable workspace. A customer rightly said that the oven “Works as described. Not too bulky, so looks nice on the countertop.”

EvenToast Technology: Mastering the Art of Perfectly Golden Toast

Uneven toasting is a common frustration with many toaster ovens. The culprit? Inconsistent heat distribution. The BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB tackles this challenge head-on with its proprietary EvenToast Technology. But what exactly does this entail?

EvenToast Technology is a carefully engineered system designed to optimize heat flow within the oven’s cavity. While the exact specifications of the technology are proprietary to BLACK+DECKER, it likely involves a strategic combination of:

• Reflective Interior Surfaces: The inner walls are likely designed with materials and coatings that reflect radiant heat more efficiently, ensuring it reaches all areas of the food being toasted.
• Optimized Heating Element Placement: The positioning and design of the heating elements are meticulously calibrated to provide a uniform heat source, minimizing hot spots and cold zones.

The result is demonstrably superior toasting performance. BLACK+DECKER claims that the TO1705SB delivers up to 30% more even toasting compared to previous models. This means no more burnt edges or undercooked centers – just consistently golden-brown toast, every time.

Convection Baking: Harnessing the Power of Circulating Air

Beyond toasting, the BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB offers the versatility of convection baking. This function utilizes an internal fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. This might seem like a minor addition, but the science behind it significantly enhances the cooking process.

Convection baking leverages the principle of forced convection, where the active movement of air accelerates heat transfer to the food. This results in several key benefits:

• Faster Cooking Times: The circulating hot air cooks food more quickly and evenly compared to conventional baking.
• Improved Browning and Crispiness: The constant airflow helps to create a more evenly browned and crispy exterior on baked goods and roasted meats.
• Consistent Results: The uniform temperature distribution ensures consistent results throughout, eliminating the need to rotate food during cooking.

Whether you’re baking a batch of cookies, roasting vegetables, or preparing a small casserole, the convection baking feature of the TO1705SB ensures efficient and delicious results.

Broiling: Achieving the Perfect Sear

The broil function on the TO1705SB provides intense, direct heat from the upper heating element, perfect for tasks that require a quick burst of high temperature. This is ideal for:

• Melting Cheese: Achieving that perfectly bubbly, golden-brown cheese topping on dishes like French onion soup or lasagna.
• Searing Meats: Quickly searing the surface of meats to lock in juices and create a flavorful crust.
• Crisping: Adding a final touch of crispiness to dishes like gratins or roasted vegetables.

The broiling function allows you to add professional-level finishing touches to your meals, all within the compact convenience of this toaster oven.

Keep Warm: Maintaining the Ideal Serving Temperature

The often-overlooked “Keep Warm” function is a testament to the thoughtful design of the TO1705SB. This setting maintains a low, consistent temperature within the oven, ensuring your food stays warm and ready to serve without the risk of overcooking. This is particularly useful when:

• Preparing Multiple Dishes: Keep one dish warm while you finish preparing others.
• Dealing with Staggered Meal Times: Ensure everyone enjoys their meal at the optimal temperature, even if they’re eating at different times.
• Buffet-Style Serving: Keep appetizers or side dishes warm for guests to enjoy throughout an event.

This simple yet practical feature adds another layer of convenience to this versatile appliance.

Intuitive Controls and Easy Maintenance

The BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB is designed for effortless operation. The simplified dial controls are intuitive and easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with toaster ovens. As one user aptly stated, even their 12-year-old found it straightforward to operate. This ease of use is a significant advantage, particularly for busy individuals or families who value simplicity in their kitchen appliances.

Furthermore, cleanup is a breeze. The non-stick interior and removable crumb tray significantly reduce the time and effort required for maintenance. This is reflected in the impressive 4.6 out of 5-star rating for “Easy to clean” from verified customer reviews.

A Note on the 30-Minute Timer and Stay-On Feature

The TO1705SB features a 30-minute timer with an integrated stay-on function, intended for tasks that require longer cooking times. However, it’s important to note that some users have reported difficulty in engaging the stay-on feature. As one review highlighted, turning the knob in either direction didn’t seem to activate it consistently.

While the 30-minute timer itself functions reliably, it’s advisable to be aware of this potential issue with the stay-on function. It may require some experimentation to master, or you might find yourself needing to reset the timer periodically for longer cooking durations. This is an area where BLACK+DECKER could potentially improve the design for even greater user-friendliness.

Lightweight and Portable

Weighing only 6 pounds, the TO1705SB is remarkably lightweight. This makes it easy to move around the kitchen or even store away when not in use. With a 4.2-star rating for “Light weight” by customers, it is clear that its portability is appreciated.

Summary

The BLACK+DECKER TO1705SB 4-Slice Toaster Oven is a compelling choice for those seeking a compact, versatile, and affordable kitchen appliance. Its EvenToast Technology, multiple cooking functions, and user-friendly design make it a valuable asset in any kitchen, particularly where space is limited. While the stay-on feature might require a bit of practice to master, the overall performance, ease of use, and exceptional value proposition of the TO1705SB make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine without sacrificing delicious results. The high customer ratings, particularly for ease of use, ease of cleaning, and value for money, further solidify its position as a top contender in the compact toaster oven market.