I ordered a Breville mini…it seems like the right size for my kitchen. I read a ton of reviews. They were mostly positive and 5 stars…but some did indicate that this thing gets very very hot on the outside. Others mentioned that the toast function doesn’t work well. Others raved about it.
Anyone here have one. It’s a pricey little thing…so if it’s not going to work well, I will just return it and get something else.
Your thoughts about this one…or other suggestions?
I have a Breville but it’s not a mini, it’s the “smart oven” in, I guess, regular size. I’ve had it about 4 years and I LOVE it. Best toaster oven I’ve ever had by far, and I’ve burned through a few over the years. I almost never use my regular oven. It can handle anything smaller than a 9x13 casserole; I’m not sure about the size limits for mini version. And yes it toasts very well - got rid of the toaster entirely.
It was pricey, I agree, and I also sprung for the wooden cutting board that’s designed to fit on top (don’t know if that’s an option for the mini). I guess it would seem hot on top without that, but it’s placed so I don’t really notice if the sides are hot.
So bottom line, if the mini is anything like the one I have, quality-wise, I’d think you’ll like it. Since you asked for other suggestions, I’d say, if you have room for a full-size, you might consider trading up.
Thanks…don’t have room for a full size. I mean I do…but I wanted something smaller that had all the functions of the larger one. I’ll ask about the cutting board thing for the top! I didn’t see that as an option, but I wasn’t looking for it!
I have the Breville Compact version. The top does get hot, but the instructions claim it’s so it can be used as a warming plate of sorts. I’m pretty sure all toaster ovens have terrible insulation (big fancy convection mini ovens like the bigger Brevilles are probably an exception) though, so it’s unlikely you’ll find one with a cool top surface.
I’m not expecting it to be cool…but some of the reviews were concerned it was SOOOO hot that it could be a fire hazard!
We have a Breville Smart Oven Pro and it’s one of the best things I ever bought. I’ve never notice it being outrageously hot on the exterior.
I love my Breville but it’s the big one. I’ve never notice the top getting too hot, either.
We have the mini at home, at the weekend place, and in the 5th wheel. Varying ages, moved into new loc when we bought a new one for home.
Pluses:
Great for baking potatoes, a few cookies, small dinners, frozen stuff.
Can fit a frozen pizza
Reheating pastries, leftovers, etc.
Quick preheat, temp is fairly accurate.
The toast quality varies. If it doesn’t toast to your liking, return it and get another. I’m ready to take the one we bought last April back to WS for an exchange for this reason. The older ones were great. This one is just ok for reg toast and English muffins, but does well with bagels.
The top does get warm, so don’t put plastic on it. Nice for warming plates.
I’ve had a Breville mini for five years and like it a lot. Doesn’t take up a lot of counter space and it’s great for heating stuff up like chicken tenders and frozen pizza using the bake option. As far as toast goes, there are a lot of settings, so you should be able to get it to your liking. It also has a button that lets you add 30 seconds to your toast time if it needs more browning. I probably use the Breville more than I use my microwave.
@thumper1 How do you like the Breville mini after using it a few months? I am looking for a small oven since I live alone and don’t like to heat up the kitchen with the big oven to cook one portion. I don’t do a lot of toasting (and I have a toaster for what little I do) but it seems I am always needing to use the oven for baking one chicken breast or a single-serve pizza or something.
We returned it. While it was billed as a “mini” it was too large for the space we planned to put it in our kitchen (which was where an old toaster oven was).
It’s not small…at all.
ETA…my sister has this and she loves it. That’s why I ordered it. She uses it a lot just like you plan to do.