Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven, Countertop Toaster Oven, Brushed Stainless Steel

This is the first Breville product I've ever purchased. I have nothing against the brand; it appears that the vast majority of those who own one like or even love it. And the few negative reviews I've seen never really go into detail about any flaws with the product; instead, it's usually something to do with user error or failing to choose the right product for their needs. My only gripe with the brand is that it occasionally charges far more than it should, and I don't see enough of a benefit to justify such a high price. This time, however, I could see a few benefits to this model that pushed it to the top of my list as my first choice (after several weeks of extensive shopping and comparing a variety of other toaster ovens). br>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br>SIZEbr>br> A toaster oven of this size, in my opinion, is ideal. It's been great for over five years and is still going strong, except the heating elements are getting old and everything is taking longer to cook. These days, it's fashionable for manufacturers to promote extra-large products. Large toaster ovens can be used in place of a full-size oven. I disagree; my stove functions as an oven better than any toaster could, and using a toaster oven, in addition to a microwave and an air fryer (not to mention a hotpot, steamer, slow cooker, and other small appliances), is nothing more than a compromise, and not a good one at that. The Breville Mini is the perfect size for toasting bread, bagels, English muffins, and other similar items, as well as warming up a single slice of pizza that has been left over. Who gets one of these things to bake pizzas, especially tiny eleven-inch pizzas, I mean, really? Those that are a foot long? br>br>CONVENIENCEbr>br>When I want to toast a bagel or something else, I just want to be able to walk over to my appliance, put it in, and press a single button. This model does that; it remembers my previous settings and, if I want to make a minor adjustment, I can. I don't need to read a service manual or fiddle with a bunch of knobs to adjust the time. This model's button layout is far easier to use than the next model up, the Compact, which requires you to push and turn a knob and constantly think about which mode it is in. br>br>SPEEDbr>br>The Breville line of toaster ovens uses quartz tubes for heat. That is not my preferred option; I've had several that use this technology, and while it is certainly faster than the metal rod elements used by my Cuisinart, the quartz tubes have a number of drawbacks. To begin with, they are nothing more than a high-powered light bulb, and as with all bulbs, the more powerful they are, the more heat they emit. They're fragile and delicate because they're made of glass, and like most bulbs, they only last a short time before burning out (though they can be replaced if you're handy). Metal heating element rods do not get as hot as quartz tubes and take much longer to heat up to temperature. Metal rods, on the other hand, can last much longer than glass tubes, especially if they're splashed with grease, which happens frequently in toaster ovens. A metal rod can simply burn away the grease, whereas a glass tube can shatter or burn out instantly. As a result, I only consider this type of oven conditionally acceptable if extreme caution is taken to avoid splashing the tubes. SMARTbr>br>They use the term "smart" loosely because, unlike some toasters I've owned, this oven does not sense when your food is done. It simply calculates how much heat to use for how long based on what you tell it to do, so you're the one who makes the decisions. To me, the term "smart" refers to the ability to choose a setting with one simple dial, adjust time and temperature with simple push buttons, have a large clearly marked on/off button, have the display change color to indicate that it's cooking, and have a convenient button to add a little more cooking time if you need it without having to start over. br>br>I WISH THEY DIDN'Tbr>br>As I previously stated, the size of the oven was the most important factor in my decision to purchase this model. The layout of the controls came in second, and the speed came in third, with none of the other models I looked at having all three. However, there are a couple of minor flaws that I don't like. One is the etched on writing on the door that reminds me which shelf position to use to cook various things; I find it ineffective, and the painted on labels detract from the device's and my kitchen's appearance. I also dislike the lack of a hook to allow me to slide the wire shelf out when I open the door. This was once a standard feature on every toaster oven. I believe that not having it is both inconvenient and dangerous. The last point isn't a criticism; rather, it's an observation: I'm not sure why anyone would complain about this toaster or any other toaster because "it gets hot. " What are they expecting, a toaster that is supposed to toast something doesn't get hot? For the record, this model doesn't get any hotter or stay any cooler than any other toaster I've owned; in fact, I measured the outer cabinet to be slightly cooler than the Cuisinart using professional grade thermography test equipment. The short answer is that your mother should have taught you not to touch a hot stove a long time ago. One review I read suggested using an extension cord to allow you to push this toaster all the way up against the kitchen wall. DON’T! You're going to set fire to your home. If the toaster's little pull tab bothers you, simply plug it into an outlet that isn't directly behind it. However, you should never use an extension cord with a toaster, and you should never place it closer to the wall than the manufacturer recommends. br>br>MORE ON IT BEING TOO HOTbr>br>Because there have been several one-star reviews dismissing it solely because it "gets hot," here are some additional facts on the subject. The temperature of your oven will be 400 degrees if you set it to that setting. It makes no difference whether you have a Breville, an Oster, a Cuisinart, or a no-name brand; if it's not getting hot and your oven is cold, it's not doing its job, and that's what someone should be complaining about, not the fact that it gets hot. If a toaster does not heat up, it is not a toaster. The more powerful it is, the higher the wattage and the faster it toasts – resulting in heat. It's a straightforward process. A hot toaster is a good thing, but people who buy one should be mature enough not to touch it, place it too close to a wall, put anything on it that can melt or burn, or let children play with it as a toy. I'm not sure how anyone expects a stove or toaster to cook without getting hot, and I'm even more perplexed as to why they would complain about it and consider it a flaw or a reason to give it a poor rating. I've attached those professional thermal imaging photos of my highly rated Cuisinart next to the Mini so you can see how much heat they both produce. Take a look for yourself. TROUBLESHOOTINGbr>br>BUYER BEWAREbr>br>BUYER BEWAREbr>br>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWAREbr>BUYER BEWARE Here's some information that can help you figure out what's really going on with a problem. 1. br>br> It gets hot – as previously stated, this is not a flaw, but rather how a toaster works. br>br>2. It smokes – that's steam, which is a natural byproduct of heating food. If there is real smoke, your food is on fire, and this is a user error. br>br>3. It's too small – other sizes are available; if this model is too small, do not purchase it. br>br>4. After using it, choose a different model or brand because the dial is difficult to read. Without having to look at the dial three times, you'll figure out where your favorite settings are. br>br>5. The strange plug – keep complaining, and maybe they'll listen eventually. That hook isn't very useful, but if it's in the way, simply plug it into a different outlet. br>br>6. It "broke" – I have yet to read a review that explains exactly what they mean when they say "broke. " As I previously stated, this model (along with many others) uses glass tubes, which are similar to light bulbs. They're fragile and easily breakable, and they'll quickly burn out. That is not a flaw; it is a cost of having an oven that heats up quickly; if this is a concern, buy an oven with metal heating rods. br>br>7. The clicking sound isn't a flaw; quartz tube ovens work by turning the light bulb on and off; however, the temperature of the bulb can't be controlled. The relay that turns the bulb on and off is what you're hearing; it's perfectly normal and necessary. If you're really bothered by it, get an oven with metal heating rods, which don't click. Oh, and unless I'm standing right in front of it, I can't even hear the clicking. br>br>A DOSE OF REALITYbr>br>I'm always amused by comments about how some users either love or hate the way a toaster oven cooks, as if they could tell the difference. This is a technology that dates back to the stone age, and it is one of the most basic items in a kitchen. In its most basic form, it's a metal box with a wire rack that heats food to a specific temperature and cooks it for a specific amount of time; it's not magical, and it won't make food taste better. In theory, every model sold does the same thing; the only difference is how it looks and whether you choose the time and temperature manually or have it done for you by a built-in program. However, regardless of how much or how little you paid for the item, the process of the heating elements becoming hot and cooking your food remains the same. It's not the toaster's fault if your food burns; it has no idea what you put in the oven or what "properly done" means to you. Sorry to dampen any celebrations, but this gadget will not and cannot improve the taste of your food, nor will it turn you into the next Julia Child. br>br>YES OR NObr>br>This product met all of my expectations and, in fact, I believe it is designed and manufactured to a higher quality standard than cheaper alternatives. And the truth is that most of the more deluxe ones aren't this small if you're looking for one that takes up the least amount of counter space. It fills a niche, and while it may not be for everyone, I chose this one for the reasons stated above, and I'm happy with it. br>br>I'm not here to defend or condemn this product; I spent a lot of my hard-earned money on it, and I have the right to express my thoughts on it. I simply believe in the power of facts over unfounded accusations. I hope you found this information useful, and please feel free to leave a comment if you did.

Cole COLES

| Jun 08, 2021

etc. It's been a year since I got it. a few thoughts Because the top gets hot, I keep two silicone trivets on it so I can keep things up there without worrying. The trivets allow you to free up some counter space while also adding a splash of color to your kitchen. The back of the oven has bumpers that protrude an inch to keep the oven away from the back wall, which takes up more room. It heats up quickly, which is a significant advantage over my gas oven. I don't hesitate to use the Breville when I'm in a hurry, even though my gas is free and I have to pay for electricity. By any standard, the "alarm" isn't very loud. There are a couple of pings, and that's all there is to it. To read the dial settings, you must stoop down. Unless you've memorized all of them. Mine runs a little hotter than the temperature settings, but that's not a big deal. Remember to take the pan out of the oven when it's not in use. Toasting bread is an example. The following are the maximum pan sizes as listed in the instruction booklet: br>The oven will accommodate the following bakeware:
- No handles on a 7 12" x 11" baking panbr>- a 9-inch square baking panbr> a muffin tin with a capacity of six cupsbr> a 9-inch loaf panbr>- a 9-inch loaf panbr>- a 9 Up to 11" pie platebr>After five years, it is dead. It appears that the fuse has blown. br>In the long run, I liked the size and how quickly it heated up, but I didn't think it was worth the price.

Justice Donaldson

| Jan 05, 2021

I like how small and compact the oven is, allowing it to fit beneath my cabinets. It also heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature throughout the baking process. I also like how the crumb tray is designed; it's much easier to remove and clean than most toaster ovens I've used in the past. br>br>On the downside, it doesn't toast evenly. There are distinct hot spots on the bread, which necessitates rotating it during the toasting process. In addition, the controls aren't as useful as they could be. Trying to control toasting by darkness and number of slices takes a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best (I've had this product for a few weeks and am still tweaking the settings to meet my needs). Finally, the rack inside the pan is poorly constructed. It does not have a stop or mechanism to keep it in place; instead, it simply slides out. When working with food that isn't directly in front of the oven, this can make things difficult. I've had minor burns several times when the hot rack has fallen out. In order to avoid injury, this oven must be used with extreme caution. br>br>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: br>br>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: br>br>ADDIT br>br>After many fruitless attempts, I am forced to revise my previous review. No amount of tinkering with the settings seems to yield toast that is even close to uniform. I've had toast with a burnt top but a nearly white bottom, and I've discovered that, while the oven can maintain a relatively constant temperature during the bake cycle, the heating elements on the bottom appear to be doing the majority of the work, leaving items dried out or burnt on the bottom while browning the top is nearly impossible. If it wasn't past the allotted time, I'd definitely return it - It's just too much.

Ailani Byers

| Nov 07, 2021