Toaster Oven

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I do most of my cooking in&nbsp;a toaster oven (1200 watt) which is run from shore power for now.&nbsp; When I get the generator this spring the oven will be run from there...&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The toaster oven is a godsend.&nbsp; I can't tell you how much I love it because&nbsp;this&nbsp;tiny device&nbsp;can bake wonderful smelling, home cooked meals.&nbsp; The downside is that it draws a lot of current so I won't run it from my inverter though it should be possible - just really hard on the batteries because it might run ten or fifteen minutes drawing a ton of amps!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Here is a picture of yesterday's lunch in the van... It's a chicken fajita pizza using Aldi ingredients.&nbsp; Total calories = 320.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><img border="0" hspace="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1w6dXZH3P...AAAc0/c2lMyEmL-40/s320/ChickenFajitaPizza.jpg"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The food used to make the pizza is stored in a Koolatron thermoelectic run from the house batteries.&nbsp; (not plugged in right now 'cause it's 8 degrees in Iowa this morning).</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">There are so many things you can bake in the toaster oven such as blackberry cobbler (using fresh berries and&nbsp;Betty Crocker "complete" muffin mix - just add water) as well as Southeastern Mills cornbread (another "complete" mix).&nbsp;&nbsp; Warming up French onion soup with croutons and melted cheese works great in here, too!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I strongly recommend a 4 slice toaster oven if you use one because the two slice models are too dang small for most everyone but "Barbie".</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I love making thin, personal sized pizzas using tortillas for the crust. They are crispy and can be high fiber if you use the right ones...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Here is a picture of the blackberry cobbler I made a couple of weeks ago...&nbsp; It was portion controlled so even with diabetes it could be enjoyed!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><img border="0" hspace="0" alt="" align="baseline" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh0-Xmoo_...AAAbQ/wnBiQwC3Dqc/s320/blackberry+cobbler.jpg"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Have a great day!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Brad</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://vantrekker.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>http://vantrekker.blogspot.com/</a></p>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>Ummmmm, thanks. Now to go fix myself some breakfast with freash eggs from the neighbors hens.</P>

 

[judycmomx6]

That's a good idea. I have something similar, but mine is also a convection oven. It is still just the size of a toaster oven though. I'm sure it too takes way to much power to use except when hooked up to shore power, but it would be nice to have it in case i want to bake something. I didn't even think about taking it with me till now, so thanx!

 

[VanTramp]

Actually, if you have a good inverter and a decent sized battery bank, it works just fine. Ours is a toaster/convection oven too, made by Black &amp; Decker and rated at 1850 watts. While it is in a high cooking cycle, it is pulling 106 amps (observed real time). Since it rarely runs for more than 15 minutes, (usually less) it doesn't actually take that much out of our energy "budget". &nbsp;Of course it depends on how long you need to preserve your battery bank before the next charge (drive, shore power, solar, whatever) but for us, typically, we can go at least 3 days without getting overly concerned about the DOD of the battery bank. Lots of variables, but there is no question that it is doable on batteries and really gives a lot of great cooking options <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[[email protected]]

Wow,looks nice!

 

[katelyn]

never would have thought to get a toaster oven! awesome idea!&nbsp;<br><br> and this gave me a good laugh this morning "<span id="post_message_1271888693">too dang small for most everyone but "Barbie"."&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br></span>

 

[my_vantasy]

I have been going back and forth trying to decide microwave or toaster oven...since I have shore power, that's not the issue. I could possibly have both, but I'd rather have the storage space for something else.

Your pictures are very convincing for the toaster oven! Pizza is my favorite food and you can't get that crisp crust and melted cheese from a microwave. I have even made nachos in a toaster oven.

Thanks for reminding me how great my good old toaster oven can be!

 

[investigator77]

I LOVE my toaster oven!&nbsp; Couldn't do without it.&nbsp; I live in an 800 sq ft condo, with a very small galley style kitchen.&nbsp; I bought a small toaster oven, as I don't have a lot of counter space.&nbsp; I use my toaster oven every day, and when I get my trailer, I'll be buying another one for camping!&nbsp; The smaller ones don't heat as evenly as the larger models, but it just depends on how much space you have to devote to it.&nbsp; Black &amp; Decker make the best ones IMO.

 

[VanFan]

We took a small one on a short trip once and used it constantly on campground shore power.&nbsp; My favorite spots don't have hook-ups.&nbsp; I've been trying to decide whether a small propane tailgate (Camp Chef Jr.) oven would be worth the space.&nbsp; Two of us travel, so I really try to eliminate space hogs.<br><br>Vickie