<p>The only thing my sister, who is primary caregiver for our Mom, wants for the holidays is a toaster oven that stays cool on the exterior, especially on top. I’ve been unable to find any definitive endorsements of this quality anywhere. Does anyone have experience or knowledge about what would be my best bet brand/model?</p>
<p>Breville has a bamboo cutting board with silicone feet made to fit on top of their oven. The silicone doesn’t get hot and raises the board for ventilation from the hot top. Protects user from heat. It’s their answer to hot top toaster oven.</p>
<p>I have a Breville and I haven’t noticed that it gets extremely hot on top or on the outside. I am planning on making roast potatoes in it tonight so I will check and see to make sure. It will be on for about 2 hours at 450 so will be a good test. </p>
<p>I love this toaster oven - best one I’ve ever had. </p>
<p>Breville seems to have the most potential but the only comment I saw in this regard was that it does get somewhat hot, so I anxiously await your results, emilybee! Will also look into gouf78’s suggestion.</p>
<p>Potatoes not going in for a few hours but I will be sure to let you know. </p>
<p>I do know the handle does not get hot as I never have to use a pot holder to open it. </p>
<p>Yes, it gets hot and I just turned it on to preheat a few minutes ago. </p>
<p>Probably all toaster ovens are going to have this problem so the suggestion by @gouf78 sounds like a good one. I have a Breville and they are nice but they’re on the pricey side. If you go with a different model I’m sure you can find a small cutting board to place on top that will accomplish the same thing. I know in the past Costco has carried a Cuisinart toaster style oven, and if you are looking for a cheaper model in the $20-$40 dollar range the holiday season is a great time to get a deal on one.</p>
<p>Thanks, emilybee, for the firsthand info. I may have to go with a wooden or silicon cutting board or mat. Maybe I’ll pick something up and try it before I give it as a gift. Strangely, the one my sister is replacing is a pretty cheap model several years old, and it didn’t have the problem.</p>
<p>Never heard of a toaster over which didn’t get hot on top. </p>
<p>And the only cutting board I would put on top of a HOT toaster oven would be tempered glass.</p>
<p>I don’t understand glass cutting boards at all. Seems like a very bad idea as it damages knives. We just assume the top of toaster ovens are hot. </p>