How to Choose the Best Toaster Oven For Polymer Clay
If you’ve just started successfully working with polymer clay, then chances are that you haven’t thought about investing in a toaster oven yet. But if you keep working with your cookie cutter, needle tool, and metal cutters, sooner or later, you’ll realize that what works well for cookies won’t work well for polymer clay.3
Rather, you need some specific toaster ovens for baking polymer clay and other crafts. And, that’s why we’ve put our efforts into looking for the best toaster oven for polymer clay and providing you with a list of the best options in this article.
How to Pick the Best Toaster Oven For Polymer Clay | Buying Guide
Since you’ve already dived into our reviews, let’s talk now about what makes a good toaster oven for baking polymer clay. Usually, when it comes to baking with polymer clay, there are several things you need to consider:
1. Heat distribution
A good toaster oven should be able to disperse heat throughout the interior so that there are no hot spots or cold spots. This will ensure even baking and prevent burning. In the same way, polymer clay can also get the perfect shape.
2. Size
Obviously, you’ll want an oven that is big enough to accommodate your projects without having to break them up into smaller pieces or use multiple sheets of foil or parchment paper. If you need to bake polymer clay a lot, consider choosing a large one.
3. Features
Some features like convection fans and racks can make your baking easier when you are working with polymer clay. Not to mention, some ovens also feature various unique technologies to create a better cooking experience. So, look for such features if you want the best performance from your toaster oven.
Comparison Table
| Specifications | BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven | Toshiba Large Toaster Oven | Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven | Comfee White Toaster Oven | GE Toaster Oven |
| Size | 4-slice | 6-slice | 4-slice | 2×4-slice | 6-slice |
| Air Fry | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Control Type | 3 knobs | Digital 3 knobs | 2 knobs | 2 knobs | Digital 2 knobs |
| Wattage | 1150W | 1500W | 1150W | 1200W | 1000W |
| Specialty | EvenToast technology | Easy to clean interior | Easy reach door | 2 rack levels | Quartz heating technology |
Our Top Picks For Toaster Ovens For Polymer Clay
You know, having the most suitable toaster oven for polymer clay will help you bake your masterpieces perfectly. But, what is the best oven? With all the talk about new brands of clay baking toaster ovens, we’ve taken a closer look at the most popular brands and seen what’s so great about their ovens. This way, we’ve selected the 5 best toaster oven options for baking polymer clay.
1. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven
The BLACK+DECKER toaster oven is one of the most popular clay baking ovens in the current market. This oven has become popular due to its sleeker and compact design. Since it is a small toaster oven countertop, you can make only small things using polymer clay in this oven.
| Specifications | BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven |
| Build Material | Stainless steel |
| Interior Type | Curved interior |
| Convection | Available |
| Technology | EvenToast |
Ease Of Cleaning
Since the BLACK+DECKER 4-slice oven comes with a removable crumb tray, there is less chance of making the inside of your oven dirty. As a result, your required cleaning is very limited. Using the convenient crumb tray, you can simply clean your oven after cooking any dish or baking the polymer clay.
Four Cooking Functions
Though this oven is a toaster oven, you can also use the oven for three other functions, including toasting. And, any kind of baking and broiling is possible in this BLACK+DECKER oven. Besides, you can use it to keep your food warm as well.
Special Toasting Technology
The interior of the oven is designed with EvenToast technology, which allows you to toast any bread evenly. In case you need better accuracy in toasting or making an evenly shaped polymer clay, this option is good to go.
Automatic Timer
Obviously, you need better control over the timing of your oven to stay functional. Here comes the BLACK+DECKER oven’s automatic 30-minute timer to keep away your worries. Using the timer, you can set precise toast settings along with a fixed cooking time (not exceeding 30 minutes).
Pros
- A removable crumb tray included
- Multiple cooking functions
- Toasting technology
- 30-minute automatic timer
- Extra compact design
Cons
- Smaller capacity
2. Toshiba Large Toaster Oven
From the user experience, this Toshiba oven is one of the best toaster ovens for baking. For the same reason, it is obvious that you’ll get optimum performance from this oven when baking polymer clay.
| Specifications | Toshiba Large Toaster Oven |
| Temperature Accuracy | High |
| Attachments | 6 accessories |
| Convection | Available |
| Control Interface | Digital |
| Cooking Presets | 10 Modes |
Highest Number Of Cooking Functions
Notably, this large convection oven comes with a variety of cooking options. In fact, you can cook using ten cooking functions, which are enough for any professional cook. Since the Toshiba oven has such functionalities, you simply optimize the cooking methods to bake your polymer clay.
High Contrast LCD Display
Unlike most other ovens, the Toshiba large oven features a large LCD display that shows all the related information regarding your cooking. Because of having a big rectangular display, you’ll be able to see cooking temperatures and all the running settings on the screen at once.
Powerful Control Over Cooking
You’ll get three control knobs below the display, which can be used for controlling temperatures and changing cooking functions. Besides, the controllers will allow you to set cook time according to your cooking requirements. When putting polymer clay inside the oven, you can monitor all baking setups while giving the clay a shape.
Consistent Temperature Delivery
As the oven runs on 1500W power output, that’s enough to cook anything faster. Not to mention, you can run this Toshiba toaster oven within a temperature range of 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and cook continuously for two hours. The oven temperature will remain consistent over the entire cooking period.
Pros
- Additional 6 accessories are provided
- Large interior capacity
- Adjustable temperature control
- Versatile cooking functions
- Standard display monitor
Cons
- Sometimes controls may seem tricky
3. Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven
Do you want the sleekest model of the toaster oven, which can bake polymer clay? Then, Hamilton beach should be your best choice as a toaster countertop oven. This toaster oven has excellent hype among users because of its small design yet many functionalities.
| Specifications | Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven |
| Door System | Roll-top |
| Cooking | 3 functions |
| Color | Silver |
| Controller | Manual |
| Attachments | 3 accessories |
Simple Controlling System
The Hamilton Beach oven has two knobs to control your cooking. One is for temperature setting, and another is to set the timer. These manual controls are pretty easy to understand and feature a 30-minute timer. Besides, you’re getting an auto-shutoff feature along with a ready bell signal when your baking is done.
Easy To Clean
Along with the sleek design, the Hamilton Beach toaster oven offers a unique roll-top door that can be opened rolling up. So, you can clean the spills and drips without having barriers created by the door. Besides, both the door and the inside crumb tray are removable and can be slid out. As a result, there is no hassle to face when cleaning the oven.
Attractive Compact Design
Since the oven is very minimal in its size, you can place it almost anywhere on your kitchen countertop. And, the design looks attractive due to the roll-top curved shape. Moreover, not only does the oven fit any countertop, but you can also access your food easily in the oven broiler anytime you want.
Standard Temperature Range
Though this toaster oven is comparatively smaller than most others, the cooking temperature isn’t reduced at all. For this reason, the Hamilton Beach oven can perform quite the same as a standard oven could. Specifically, you can bake using 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit in this oven without any issue.
Pros
- Easy to keep clean
- Simple manual control
- Runs using standard temperatures
- Compact countertop design
- Easy access roll-top door
Cons
- Small capacity
- Limited cooking functions
4. Comfee White Toaster Oven
If you like white shades in your oven and want the mini one, the Comfee White Toaster Oven can bring you comfort. This compact Comfee oven can bake according to your preferences and cooking commands.
| Specifications | Comfee White Toaster Oven |
| Color | White |
| Bake Pan Size | 10.2 inches x 7.8 inches |
| Rack Levels | 2 (up & down) |
| Attachments | 3 accessories |
Two rack Levels
In spite of being a small toaster oven, the Comfee white oven offers two racks. So, you’ll get double the space for baking than usual. Usually, the overhead rack is used for baking or toasting small cookies. On the contrary, you can use the below rack to toast 4 slices of bread in most cases.
Double Dialer Control
There are two dialers available to control the cooking time and temperature. To be specific, you need to use the first dialer to change the temperature or cooking modes. And, the second dialer can be used to set the timer on the bake time.
Three Useful Accessories
Most regular ovens don’t come with multiple useful accessories. However, the Comfee toaster oven is an exception to them. The whole package of this oven comes with a detachable crumb tray, a baking pan, and a non-stick baking rack. Not to mention, sometimes you may get another additional baking rack as well.
Space Saver Countertop
When you want to save space on your countertop, you can select the Comfee toaster oven. It’s possible to place the oven in tiny places, and you can move the entire oven anywhere, anytime. Because this oven’s weight is less than half of a regular toaster oven.
Pros
- Simple cooking functions
- Space saver mini oven
- Two rack capacity
- Useful accessories included
- Easy dialer controls
Cons
- No LCD display
5. GE Toaster Oven
Similar to the Comfee toaster oven, you’ll get a baking pan with this oven. That means you don’t need to bear the hassle of finding a suitable pan to put polymer clay for baking inside.
| Specifications | GE Toaster Oven |
| Color | Stainless steel |
| Cooking | 7 modes |
| Convection | Available |
| Heating Elements | Quartz & halogen |
| Attachments | 4 accessories |
Unique Heating Technology
Amazingly, there are two types of heating elements found in this oven. Both halogen and quartz heating elements combine to create rapid heating. For this reason, the oven preheats very fast and bakes quickly. In the same way, if you use the oven to bake polymer clay, this heating technology can make the process easier and quicker.
Removable Crumb Tray
Cleaning becomes a lot easier when you have a crumb tray lying down inside your oven while baking polymer clay. That’s why the GE toaster oven has an external crumb tray in its setup.
Additional Accessory Set
Excluding the crumb tray, you’ll get an additional accessory set with the GE oven. This set includes a baking pan, a rack, and necessary air fryer accessories. So, you can fit most of your polymer clay shapes in this oven.
Digital Interface
The controlling interface of the GE Toaster Oven comes with two knobs and three buttons. As usual, the knobs are for setting cooking modes or temperatures and bake time. And, buttons are for menu controls, which can be monitored through the digital display.
Pros
- Standard large capacity
- Seven cooking modes
- Quartz heating technology
- Removable toaster crumb tray
- Air fryer accessories
Cons
- Heavyweight design
In Conclusion
Ultimately, you should choose the best toaster oven yourself according to your necessity and usage. Because only you know which can be the best fit considering your desired tasks. Choose the GE toaster oven if you want a heavy and stable toaster oven, including advanced cooking methods.
When you need more capacity to bake polymer clay, you should select the Comfee oven. In the same way, every oven on our list has its own unique advantage to becoming the best choice for polymer clay.
