Conference turris::cooks

    I just tried the microwave brownies over the weekend.  I added nuts
    to the batter.  It really wasn't too bad.  From start to finish,
    it took me all of 6 - 7 minutes.  Add some Vanilla ice cream and
    chocolate sauce and you have a pretty good dessert.  Of course,
    it doesn't compare with homemade brownies, but will suffice.

    I second the idea of buying a toaster oven.  I cook for just the
    two of us (no kids), and use the toaster oven far more often than
    the big ones.  It saves electricity, and doesn't heat up the kitchen.
    They aren't too expensive and you'd be surprised how much food
    you can cook in one!
    
    Good luck!
    
    							Pat

    
    toaster oven.
    
    Can you cook a meatloaf? Or bread? Do they make them of a good size?
    The toaster oven that comes to mind is not very big inside. How
    about fish? Can you cook fish in the toaster oven?
    
    Barbara 

    When I got mine, I ordered a set of cookware from a little form
    that came inside the box.  They sent me a biscuit pan, a loaf pan,
    a 2-inch-high rectangular pan, and two little pie tins, all
    specifically sized for the toaster oven.  I think I paid five or
    six bucks for the set, and it was well worth it.  The toaster oven
    came with a very nice stainless steel broiler pan.
    
    Yes, you could make a meatloaf big enough for two people in the
    loaf pan and cook it in the toaster oven.  However, I usually microwave
    mine.
    
    I *never* cook bread in the big ovens unless we're having company.
    The toaster oven is completely satisfactory for that.
    
    I also *never* cook fish in the big ovens unless we're having company.
    The toaster oven works great.  You can bake or broil, stuffed or
    plain.
    
    Also you can do casseroles.  Small Corning Ware dishes are perfect,
    though the pyrex lids can't be used.  A little aluminum foil solves
    that problem.
    
    When I started using the toaster oven several years ago, I remember
    having to go through a small learning curve because cooking
    temperatures and times do have to be adjusted a little (not a lot).
    So give it a little time and expect some trial and error.
    
    As far as size, they come in just about every size from tiny to
    pretty big.  A number of different manufacturers make them.  The
    two I've had were both G.E., the same model, which I believe sells
    for somewhere around $35 - $45.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    							Pat

    Baking in a toaster oven --  yes, they're just small electric ovens.
    
    Broiling in a toaster oven --  in some you can, in some you can't.
    Check out each model before you buy.
    
    					andrew

    I have a combination toaster/oven/microwave made by Sharp.
    It was on sale at Lechmeres for $99 last week down from $129.
    We have been very pleased with the performance of this unit.
    It bakes considerably better than our last toaster/broiler/oven
    and is roomier (about .3 cubic feet). This is big enough to hold
    a 1 1/2 quart covered casserole dish with no problems.
    
    If it is not too much, check it out.
    
    RE: .5
    
    Does anyone know what Pyrex and the glass tops can be used in ovens
    but not under the browning elements of microwaves and under a broiler?
    
    Is it because the glass can not withstand direct heat?
    
    --wch--
                                                          

    
    I, too, have a combination toaster/over/microwave but mine is made
    by General Electric.
    
    I mainly use the micro (I HAVE an oven), but I've baked bread in
    it and broiled it and have been very pleased.
    
    -- Colleen

    
         Has anyone had the experience with a toaster oven cooking a
    TV dinner (Swanson) and having the dinner come out fine, but the
    mashed potatoes staying either cold or frozen?  I never quite 
    figured out why, but this happened a couple of times to me in college.
    
                                Greg
    

    I have the GE combo also;  it's called the Omni.  I do so much of
    my cooking in it that when I opened the "real" oven a couple of weeks
    ago, there was dust in it.....
                                                            
    

    A recent edition of "Consumer Reports" compared brands and models
    of toaster ovens and broiler/toaster-ovens.  It must have been a
    fairly recent issue - it was the first time I'd seen it, and I'm
    there every week (shots).
    
    TW

    
    
    Since I already have a microwave I decided to get the toaster oven
    but ended up with the Toastmaster counter top oven. It was not much
    more than the toaster ovens but much much bigger. It broils, slow
    cooks (like a crock pot) or bakes  (no toasting which is fine I
    have a toaster). It will fit a turkey (of the DIGITAL christmas
    variety) or a ham. 
    
    Thanks for all your suggestions!!!
    
    Barbara
    

    This note isn't exactly related ... but close enough.
    
    My full-sized, 5 year old microwave died this weekend.  I have been
    undecided about whether or not I'd replace it -- it takes up just so
    much space -- and I don't actually cook with it.  What I would like to
    purchase would be the smallest microwave possible (space), with the 
    highest possible wattage/voltage, for efficiency.  Any recommendations?
    
    Already I miss my mic for making water for tea, heating up a leftover
    hot sausage. 
    
    Thanks,
    Carel

    
    	Consumer Reports recommends a "mid-size" model for most people. The
    	smallest models they said are too low power and are not good for
    	anything besides snack reheating. The "large" and even bigger
    	"family" size microwaves take up too much room for many people
    	and cost more than what they provide. The .8 to 1.0 cubic foot
    	mid-size models offer the best cost, features, counter-space, and
    	usability combination. They don't recommend the smallest sized
    	microwaves except for college dorm rooms and the like. Just fyi...

    	Also, I still have my old college tiny Quasar model and am still 
    	happy with it. It works great for small items where a lot of power
    	isn't needed. So if you just heat up one cup of tea, then I guess
    	I'd ignore CR and try a small one in your shoes too...

	-Erik

    Then again, if you're a tea lover, those smaller microwaves will never
    bring the water to a boil, and the water will evaporate before it
    actually boils!  Your choices are then boiling a kettle of water (my
    first preference, always) or having mediocre tea.  Personally, I'd opt
    for no microwave rather than have another low wattage "mini." 
    Especially if you'd only use it for tea.
    
    On the other hand, if you only drink tea for something warm and don't
    like coffee (as opposed to being a real tea lover), go for the mini,
    low wattage number.  (Just remember that they don't do that good a job
    on popcorn, either!)
    
    
    Susan

    
         My Sharp Carousel gave up the ghost today, after a long service
    life.  I replaced it with a larger Sharp Carousel for about half of
    what I paid for the first one.
    
         Reasons: 
    
         > The first one worked well for a long time (6+ years of daily use 
           and a few instances of ABuse).
    
         > Didn't want to waste time remembering the programming logic of
           another brand.   
    
         > It was a good price and had more useful features than others in 
           the same price range.
    
                                         Greg

    If one is only going to heat water for tea, then I would suggest
    another item that would work well for you.  It is called a HOT
    SHOT and heats water for tea, coffee, instant soups, cocoa etc...

RE:  .17: 

>>>If one is only going to heat water for tea, then I would suggest
>>>another item that would work well for you.  It is called a HOT
>>>SHOT and heats water for tea, coffee, instant soups, cocoa etc...

Another plug for Sunbeam's HOT SHOT.  I bought one used from someone I 
work with, and couldn't be more pleased with it.  It heats up to 12 oz 
of water in just seconds, and is great for hot drinks, etc. here at work.

-th-

We have the Hot Shot that is hooked up at our kitchen sink to the cold water
line.  It produces plenty of hot water on demand.  We use it on a daily basis
for tea/coffee/hot chocolate.  Saves turning on a burner on the stove or using
the microwave.  I have found the water to be plenty hot even though we did turn 
the thermostat down because it would periodically sputter water out the spigot.

Judy

    What a good idea!  HOT SHOT!  I'll take a look at this while shopping.
    
    I have found a G.E. 'mini' microwave - 700 watts, that I'm eying.  It's
    the approximately the size of a toaster oven.  I am now toying with the
    idea of not getting a microwave at all, as I really haven't missed it.
    
    Thanks,
    Carel

    
    	Perhaps I'm behind the times, but what on earth is a HOT SHOT? Is it
    	from some Ronco commercial I missed or something. How does it work?
    
    	-Erik (what could be faster and easier and cheaper than microwave tea?) 
    

>>              -< Hot Shot = little under-faucet hot water tank? >-

One brand is that...a small hot water tank mounted under the sink with a 
small faucet for extracting the hot water.

The other is a stand-alone appliance that you pour cold water into, press
a lever which starts heating the water.  When the water hits a certain
temp, the machine shuts itself off.  Then another lever is pressed to 
release the hot water into a container below.

Both work very well.  The one connected to the sink is very convenient in
a home.  The appliance is more portable and as long as a source of water
and electricity is available, it can be used anywhere.  The appliance is
also less expensive.  :-)

Judy

  Thanks.  It sounds like the appliance would be more attractive.  The thought
  of having a second hot water tank (the first water tank being my biggest
  electric bill contributor) is scary.  I just re-wired my gutted kitchen and
  in the reading to figure what belongs on what circuit was amazed at how much
  power those heating coils take! I considered toasters and coffee makers to be
  lightweight appliances.  I never would have guessed that a coffee maker uses
  something like 1200W! I can't imagine how much it would cost to keep a second
  less-insulated tank of water hot.  Ouch.  I'd take two minutes on high in the
  microwave any day...

  -Erik

>>  Ouch.  I'd take two minutes on high in the
>>  microwave any day...

I prefer to take 45 seconds with my hot shot appliance....  :*)

Tina