Proctor Silex Toaster Oven Review : A Piece Of Junk?

On an extemely tight budget but need an average-sized toaster oven? Then, you really have very few choices indeed. The Proctor Silex 4-slice toaster oven is one such model – cheap and large enough for a small meal. The price is definitely the main attraction here but would it perform up to expectations? This review will look at the details and see if it is worth a buy.

Proctor Silex 4-Slice Toaster Oven 31116R Review

This model has the following features:

1050-watt
Timer
Automatic shut-off
2 cooking options
Removable crumb tray
Baking pan
Size: 14″ (W) x 9.25″ (D) x 7.5″(H)

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Yes, the unit has a broiler function, which is a nice surprise for its low price. The other cooking option is, of course, toast and you can select the darkness level using the timer dial at the bottom. The timer goes to a maximum of 15 minutes. When the time is up, a bell will sound to alert you that your food is ready. You can also choose to let it stay on for food that requires a longer cooking time. The temperature range is 200°F to 450°F which you set by using the top dial.

This Proctor Silex toaster oven has a glossy white exterior. It also has a black color model (31118R) but it is being sold for about $5 more at the time of review. The oven can fit 4 slices of bread or 2 personal pizzas. The interior measurements are approximately 9.75″ (W) x 9″ (D) x 6.5″ (H). The rack measures 10″ x 8.25″.

There are 2 heating elements in the oven – one at the top and another at the bottom to toast both sides of the bread. The crumb tray is also removable for cleaning.

Should You Buy The Proctor Silex 31116R?

Pros

Cheap – The list price of this unit is about $30 but you can get it for just less than $20 online at the time of writing. In comparison, a similar-sized top end model like the Breville BOV450XL will set you back about $150. Even the economically-priced Black & Decker TO1303SB costs about $10 more.
Works well – Most customers think that it works well enough for the price. It is certainly not the best toaster oven but it can toast sandwiches, waffles, biscuits, broil and heat up leftovers quickly and easily. It cooks your food and thus, the value is there for those who seek convenience for a small price.
Compact – It doesn’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen as its width is only about 14″. The Black & Decker TO1332SBD is 15.5″ wide for the same 4-slice capacity. If every inch counts for your countertop, you can get the Panasonic Flash Xpress which is only 13″ wide but be prepared to fork out a lot more for it.

Cons

Erratic toasting results – Many buyers have commented that the toasting results aren’t very consistent. So, it is advisable to watch your toast closely to avoid burning which can happen quickly. The shade on both sides are not exactly even either. Depending on how you place the rack, the side of the bread that is closer to the heating element at the top or bottom will end up being darker.
Not a good oven replacement – A few users feel that the unit does not work well as an oven. It takes longer than more powerful models to get your food ready and you may also need to allocate more time than what is stated on the box to cook frozen food. With only 1050 watts of power, it will lag behind those with 1800 watts. An example of a toaster oven with such high wattage is the Cuisinart TOB-40.
Loud timer – Some people find the timer to be a little loud which is annoying as it ticks away.

This toaster oven is cheap but apart from the price, there is really nothing worth shouting about. It is basic and toasting results are not perfect. If you have high expectations for your appliance, you will be disappointed with this one. But if you can accept the inadequacies given the low price, then the oven may work for you. For example, if you are prepared to experiment with the toast shade setting, keep an eye on your bread during the toasting and can accept not so even toasting results, then you may see this as a great product for the price that you pay.

So, the bottomline is the Proctor Silex 4-slice toaster oven is a budget model that will have noticeable flaws. Therefore, unless you have budget constraints, you are better off paying a little more and get another model.

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