Cuisinart TOB 165 Convection Toaster Oven...Where The Rubber Meets The Roast!

Cuisinart is a company long known for innovative kitchen appliances that revolutionize the way we cook. They took food processors to another level and have maintained the benchmark where all others would be compared. Such is the case with toaster ovens and the Cuisinart TOB 165.

A CLOSER LOOK

Recently, when the old Black & Decker toaster oven died, we looked for a replacement that would offer some of the current technology. The Cuisinart TOB 165 is an innovative toaster oven, not because it necessarily brings new technology to the table, but rather the effective way it delivers that technology to the consumer.

With the capability to broil, bake, toast and cook with convection technology, the .05 cu ft. capacity TOB 165 offers the consumer a versatile appliance that can deliver world class results for small intimate meals, without having to fire up the oven.

Toasting has always been an issue with these types of ovens. The bottom line here is they take longer than your conventional toaster primarily because the distance to the heating element is greater and thus take longer to toast. Frankly, I prefer the convention method to toasting with the TOB 165 partially on account of the time issue (4 minutes vs. 2) and I don’t like the grill lines on my toast.

The real attraction to this type of appliance is the capability to cook a small meal that will actually produce the results you could expect to from your oven without having to heat up the oven, consuming all that energy for a chicken breast and potatoes for one! While we all held out hope that we could cook meals with a microwave and achieve the same results, well, that shipped sailed long ago! It is just not the same. However, browning, crisping caramelizing, is all there with the Cuisinart TOB 165.

The digital controls are very nicely laid out and are user friendly, displayed much like any microwave or oven similarly equipped. You can choose from:

• Broil - 500 degrees
• Bake – with preheat alert
• Convection - with preheat alert
• Toast - with 7 browning options & 4-6 slice toasting
• Bagel
• Defrost – defrosts, then toasts frozen breads
• Timer
• Reheat – Allows you to reheat without browning

And select the appropriate time and temperature, broiling pan, drip tray and you are set. Complete with 3 rack level options you can achieve the appropriate results in a fraction of the time you can achieve with a conventional oven, here again as a result of element proximity. Convection cook times can cut your cooking by as much as 40% and conventional bake times can cut as much as 25-30%, without sacrificing the quality you would otherwise expect.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

I have to say that I have yet to cook a meal in the Cuisinart TOB 165 that I have been disappointed in. I would advise that the first couple of outings you closely monitor your cook times and the use of a meat thermometer would be of great benefit here. Personally I opted for lower cook times and adjusted upwards from there. The 27 page manual has a sampling of recipes that cover beef, poultry and fish as well as baking etc. I would suggest using the temperature and cook times in those recipes as a benchmark to start from.

Let me stress that the TOB 165 comes in second to none of its peers. I did a fair amount of research finding it was highly recommended by all the consumer magazines, but more importantly it repeatedly was the oven of choice by its retailers. Personally, I have had nothing but great success, cooking everything from a grilled cheese to a 3-4 pound eye roast to perfection. Cleaning is a simple task of wiping the easy – clean interior with a soapy cloth and a quick rinse. Consistency is key here and making cleaning a regular regimen will assure best results.

WOULD I BITE AGAIN?

The answer is a resounding yes. Often, in this busy life you find yourself eating alone or with your significant other and a quick easy meal makes a great deal of sense. Perhaps you vacation at the shore or mountains as we do, you don’t have to compromise your desire to eat well. We have found the Cuisinart an invaluable appliance in our kitchen and a great timesaver at mealtime, and while I may have some misgivings about the toaster function, I like the toast that comes out of the TOB 165 in a pinch, grill lines and all. I suppose if you consider cook times for 6 slices on a 4 slicer vs. the Cuisinart it all works about the same, grill lines and all.

The Cuisinart TOB 165 gets my hearty endorsement, Bon Appetite!