Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven Review
The Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, model TOA-70, is a versatile kitchen appliance that promises to deliver both convenience and quality in your cooking experience. With its variety of functions, sleek stainless steel design, and compact size, this unit is perfect for home cooks looking to simplify meal preparation without sacrificing flavor or texture. In this review, we will explore its features, capacities, ease of use, cleaning, and overall performance based on user experiences.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Cuisinart TOA-70 is both modern and functional. With exterior dimensions of 12.25 inches deep, 15.75 inches wide, and 13.75 inches high, it fits comfortably on most kitchen countertops while still providing ample cooking space inside. The polished stainless steel finish not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes it easy to clean and maintain.
The unit is equipped with a dropdown door, making access to the cooking chamber straightforward. The interior is spacious enough to fit six slices of bread, a 12-inch pizza, or a whole chicken weighing up to four pounds, providing ample capacity for family meals or gatherings.
Cooking Functions
One of the standout features of the Cuisinart TOA-70 is its eight-in-one functionality. This appliance can air fry, toast, convection bake, regular bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warm food. The adjustable temperature dial ranges from 250°F to 450°F, allowing for precise cooking control. This versatility means it can easily handle anything from breakfast to dinner, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Users have expressed satisfaction with the speed and efficiency of the convection bake setting, particularly for roasting vegetables and other meal prep. The air fryer function has also garnered positive reviews, with many noting that it provides a crisp texture that rivals traditional frying methods without the excess oil.
Ease of Use
The Cuisinart TOA-70 is designed with user-friendliness in mind. The knob control is intuitive, allowing for easy adjustments to cooking time and temperature. The included components, such as the oven rack, baking pan, air fryer rack/basket, and grill, enhance the cooking experience by providing all the essential tools right out of the box.
The 60-minute timer with an auto-shutoff feature ensures that meals do not overcook, adding an extra layer of safety for busy cooks. The clear instructional manual helps users navigate the various functions without confusion, making it suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning can often be a concern with kitchen appliances, but the Cuisinart TOA-70 has been praised for its ease in this regard. The nonstick interior makes wiping down after use straightforward, while the removable trays are designed for easy handwashing. Some users have reported that the aluminum drip pan can stain quickly, leading to dissatisfaction, but with regular care, the unit remains in good condition.
Performance Reviews
Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have noted that this appliance has completely replaced their traditional ovens due to its efficiency and consistent cooking results. One reviewer mentioned that they were surprised by how much they enjoyed using the air fryer function, which has become a favorite for preparing crispy wings and other snacks.
While some users raised concerns about the materials used for certain components, such as the aluminum drip tray, others found that the overall performance and ease of use outweighed these minor issues. The ability to cook meals faster than a conventional oven has been a significant advantage, especially for those with busy lifestyles.
Conclusion
In summary, the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven TOA-70 is a robust kitchen appliance offering versatility, efficiency, and ease of use. Its various cooking functions and generous capacity make it a valuable tool for preparing a wide range of meals, from simple snacks to elaborate dinners. While there may be minor issues related to certain components, the overall performance has garnered a strong following among users.
Ratings
Based on user feedback and an assessment of its features and performance, we would rate the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven TOA-70 as follows:
- Functionality: 5/5
- Ease of Use: 4.5/5
- Design and Build Quality: 4.5/5
- Cleaning and Maintenance: 4/5
- Overall Satisfaction: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 out of 5 stars)
The Cuisinart TOA-70 is highly recommended for anyone looking to enhance their cooking experience with a reliable, multifunctional appliance that simplifies meal preparation while delivering delicious results.
youngeun c. –
Excellent product with a sturdy design. User-friendly and reliable.
rebus –
This product meets all my cooking needs in so many ways! From making my morning toast to broiling meat, it sits on my counter, ready for every meal. It fits perfectly on the counter and comes with a variety of cooking surfaces. The instructions and dials are intuitive. I frequently use the convection oven for roasting vegetables, and it cooks them in no time. The speed encourages me to eat more veggies since it’s much quicker than preparing a large batch—perfect for one or two people! I haven’t tried the air fry options yet, but I’m really impressed with everything I’ve tested so far. It’s always exciting to use, and I’m amazed at how convenient, quick, and easy to clean it is! I’ve always wanted a countertop toaster oven, and I’m thrilled I waited for this deluxe, multipurpose model.
podo mom –
Excellent!
Rolando Miravete –
During our vacation, we rented a villa that featured this type of oven, and we used it throughout our stay. My family and I liked it so much that we decided to purchase one for ourselves. We are very happy with this oven, which has all the features we need. It’s a convection oven for more “serious” dishes, a toaster, and of course, an air fryer for the wings that my kids love.
E&H –
I had never owned a toaster oven before, so when my wife gifted me this one for my birthday, I had to pretend to be excited. It seemed like an unnecessary adult version of an Easy-Bake Oven. How wrong I was! This appliance has completely taken the place of my full-sized oven, and everything tastes better when air-fried! As someone who reads a lot of reviews, I want to address some concerns I had before purchasing:
Handwashing the trays is a breeze. All the complaints about it being difficult have me questioning the kitchen hygiene of some reviewers. I give mine a light soap scrub every 3-5 uses, and it looks brand new even after a month of daily use. There are hardly any crumbs and absolutely no grease stains. I’ve spent less time cleaning it in four weeks than I did reading reviews about how hard it is to clean.
The manual does warn against placing it under a cabinet, despite photos showing it stored that way. It does get hot, even after just ten minutes of use. However, it easily slides backward and forward on my granite countertops—it’s surprisingly lightweight, and the legs glide smoothly without scratching. I pull it forward every time because I’m a bit paranoid and live in a small apartment, wanting to avoid any fire hazards. But honestly, I think it would be fine under the cabinets; it hasn’t gotten excessively hot.
I purchased liners with it, convinced that cleaning the bottom would be a hassle. Unfortunately, they all burned up after just three uses and left a waxy residue, even the ones meant for this unit. Save your money! It’s actually very easy to wipe out, and it cools down quickly if you leave the door open. I’ve used foil a few times despite the manual’s warning, and nothing bad happened then either.
Alexandria Prehay –
I bought this for our travel trailer since the oven gets too hot to use. It has been an excellent investment, and I’m planning to get one for my home as well.
alice dyment –
I purchased this item from Amazon.ca. The product description mentions a limited 3-year warranty, but you have to refer to the user manual for details. The manual was packed away in the box, so I had to unpack everything to find it. While this isn’t a major issue, I discovered that the warranty is only valid in the USA. Given that the total cost was $348 with tax, I was disappointed to learn there’s no warranty available for me. I haven’t used the oven and will be returning it unused.
AS –
I previously owned a convection oven that I rarely used due to its smaller size and limited functionality. However, this new oven has completely changed the game. It offers a variety of cooking options including toasting, convection baking, traditional baking, air frying, and grilling. The included large baskets and heavy metal grill are excellent additions. This oven is wider and taller, accommodating up to 3 lbs. of food, which means I can even cook a whole chicken. Cleaning it is quite straightforward, and I haven’t noticed any rust as long as I keep the exterior dry. I appreciate the traditional baking feature, as it simplifies the cooking time compared to convection baking. It fits a loaf pan for quick breads or meatloaf, but I have to use a larger oven for my big Dutch oven. It can easily handle a 12-inch pizza, though I prefer making individual pizzas. My favorite item to bake is six muffins from a mix, and the muffin pan fits perfectly in this oven. The results taste just as good as those from a conventional oven but with less energy consumption. It fits well on my counter, and I’m very happy with my purchase, especially at the great price I got.
PennyPincher –
I bought this 8-in-one unit in Navy blue to replace my old Cuisinart Countertop Toaster/Convection Oven that had served me well for 20 years. While it still worked and could even function as an “air fryer” using the convection setting—long before the air fryer trend—I decided to upgrade for the larger size. Given my positive experiences with Cuisinart appliances, I thought sticking with the brand was a smart choice. Unfortunately, while I wish I could say it’s perfect, there are some significant flaws that nearly led me to return it, and I still find myself questioning my decision to keep it.
CONS:
The aluminum drip pan/sty is permanently stained after just one use. Within a week, it looked worse than any baking pan I’ve owned for over 30 years. For this price point, opting for aluminum instead of stainless steel feels like a serious oversight by Cuisinart. I ended up buying a stainless steel replacement for under $20 (look for ASIN B0CSJYQMT3) that fits perfectly. It’s heavier than the other two stainless trays I purchased (which came with extra fry baskets), so I recommend it unless you’re looking for another mesh basket.
The dials are far from user-friendly. Even as an experienced cook, I find them quite confusing. The third dial has too many similar options, and the selection arrow is oddly positioned, not at the top like the others. Furthermore, the timer (the far-left dial) isn’t accurate like a digital timer. It operates like those old kitchen timers that clicked loudly as you set the time and continued to click for a while, only to finally let out a single BING! when the time was up.
This oven cooks significantly hotter than the set temperature. I’ve learned to lower the temperature for whatever I’m cooking. It warped the non-stick liner from my previous countertop oven on its first use, and by the third use, it melted onto the bottom of the unit. Cleaning that up was a hassle. From various reviews, it seems temperature inaccuracies are common—some ovens run cooler, while others are hotter. Cuisinart does offer a warranty and has replaced units for some customers, but I didn’t want to deal with the hassle unless I was sure I’d get a properly functioning one, which I doubted.
Lastly, I really dislike how the tray, rack, or basket can only be pulled out partially before it tips forward and down against the door. My old Cuisinart had a stop that kept it from sliding out too far (around the 2/3 to 3/4 mark). To completely remove it, you had to lift it a bit to clear the stops. This was much more convenient and safer.
Those are my thoughts. If I had the chance to do it over, I might choose a different product. If you’ve read this far, I hope you have the information you need to decide if this is the right choice for you.