Countertop Oven vs Regular Oven and more

A countertop oven is a smaller version of the range ovens or wall ovens found in most American kitchens today. Countertop ovens bring many full-sized oven benefits and capabilities down to a convenient, compact size that fits on your counter. 

This smaller version of a kitchen range oven or wall oven is perfect for extra small kitchens, or when creating a single dish. A countertop oven plus a full-sized oven can also help you create more at once, allowing you to prepare dishes with different cooking requirements simultaneously. Opt for a convection countertop oven to expand your culinary versatility and bring new cooking techniques to your kitchen.

There are many different types of ovens including range ovens, wall ovens, electric ranges, double oven gas ranges and countertop ovens. Here's a quick overview of some typical differences between these types of ovens and how they compare to a countertop version. While there are always exceptions, here’s what you can usually expect to find:

^{*Select models only, including all KitchenAid® countertop ovens.}

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COUNTERTOP OVEN AND A BUILT-IN WALL OVEN

The main differences between a countertop oven and a built-in wall oven are size and installation. A countertop oven stands alone on top of your counter, while wall ovens are usually installed within cabinets with 3-5 cu. ft. of capacity. Double wall ovens have up to twice the overall capacity.

COUNTERTOP OVEN VS RANGE OVEN

Aside from size and installation, the main difference between these two kitchen appliances is that a countertop oven does not have an integrated cooktop. A kitchen range is built with burners or heating elements on top for searing, sauteing, boiling and other stovetop functions. A countertop oven is just the oven cavity made for cooking, baking, broiling and sometimes air frying and more.

DO I NEED A COUNTERTOP OVEN?

Easy to clean, simple to use, and versatile, portable countertop ovens just make life simpler. Here are some things you'll love about having a countertop oven:

• Takes up less space than a full-sized oven
• Preheats quickly so you can avoid heating the entire oven when preparing smaller meals or cooking for one
• Great for quickly completing everyday tasks with select models featuring capabilities like toasting, reheating and even air frying
• Some convection countertop ovens let you add capabilities your current oven may not have like air frying and convection cooking

CAN A COUNTERTOP OVEN REPLACE A REGULAR OVEN?

Many countertop ovens come with robust features and settings, letting you do as much as a regular oven—and sometimes more. However, they have less capacity for multiple dishes or large meals. Deciding to replace your full-size oven with a countertop version comes down to what and how much you want to make.

Many countertop ovens include features normally found on regular, full-sized ovens, including:

• Convection countertop oven models

• Multiple racks

• Preset cooking functions

• Interior lights

• Non-stick interiors

• Temperature probes

The KitchenAid^® Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry even goes beyond the capabilities of most full-sized ovens. With the No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System it's easy to make everything from french fries to delicate fish.

Most households will still want to have a full-sized oven for the larger capacity it provides. Owning both a countertop oven and a regular oven can give you extra flexibility when creating a variety of meals. When you’re making a single-dish meal like a sheet-pan dinner, a countertop oven let’s you skip heating your full-sized oven. This means you’re likely to use less energy and spend less time waiting for it to heat up.

A countertop oven is also perfect for cooking multiple dishes with different cooking requirements at the same time. Roast meats using a convection setting in one oven and bake a delicate souffle in the other.

COUNTERTOP OVEN VS TOASTER OVEN

The terms countertop oven and toaster oven are often used interchangeably, but they have traditionally been different appliances. A countertop oven is usually larger and can be used to fully cook or bake a range of recipes. A toaster oven is usually a bit smaller and has a more limited range of settings. 

The line between toaster ovens and countertop ovens has blurred over the years. Many toaster ovens now offer larger sizes and more features. Some manufacturers even use the term “countertop toaster oven” for products that fit somewhere in between. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the major differences traditionally found between countertop ovens and toaster ovens:

Size and Capacity
Toaster ovens on the market today vary widely. They are usually designed to hold slices of bread for toasting or a dish for reheating, among a few other functions. Toaster ovens can be a great choice for very small kitchens or simple tasks. Countertop ovens generally offer a wider variety of sizes and cooking flexibility with some large enough to hold a 9x13 baking tray, like the entire lineup of KitchenAid^® countertop ovens. This means some countertop ovens may be large enough to cook an entire meal such as a sheet pan dinner, or even a whole chicken.

Features
A countertop oven generally comes with more capabilities than a toaster oven. A toaster oven is best for simple tasks like toasting and reheating but may not be able to reach the same temperatures found on a countertop oven. You are also less likely to find a toaster oven with more advanced features like roast, proof or dehydrate. A countertop oven comes with a wide range of capabilities and can often stand in for a full sized oven, especially when cooking a dish for one or two people.

Because a toaster oven usually comes with a more streamlined set of functions, they’re less likely to have convection capabilities. However, there are several convection countertop ovens on the market that offer all the benefits of convection cooking in a compact, countertop-friendly size.

WHAT IS A CONVECTION COUNTERTOP OVEN?

Convection ovens of all sizes feature a fan that circulates hot air throughout the oven cavity to help maintain optimal temperatures. This also helps remove excess moisture from the surface of your food and promotes browning of meats, caramelized roasted vegetables and flaky baked goods. Using a convection setting can also sometimes help cook your dishes faster. The KitchenAid^® Dual Convection Countertop Oven features two fans and allows you to cook a 3 lb chicken up to 20% faster with the Dual Convect Bake setting, compared to the regular Bake setting.

If your kitchen range or wall oven doesn't have convection capabilities, a convection countertop oven can bring this cooking and baking technique to your kitchen without needing to replace your existing appliances. Learn more about convection ovens, or explore countertop ovens from KitchenAid including select models with convection heating technology.

BENEFITS OF A CONVECTION COUNTERTOP OVEN

The benefits of convection baking in a regular oven are often similar in a convection countertop oven, depending on your recipe and a few other factors:

• Circulating air helps dishes cook evenly

• Meats get crispy outside while staying juicy in the inside

• Promotes evenly browned meats

• Helps carmelize vegetables 

• Golden-brown finish and fluffy insides on certain baked goods

• May cook foods faster, depending on the recipe

WHAT CAN YOU COOK IN A COUNTERTOP OVEN?

A countertop baking oven is the perfect kitchen companion, especially for smaller portions or single servings. Countertop convection ovens are also particularly good at baking foods that taste best with a crispy exterior and a fluffy or tender interior – like juicy meats, roasted root vegetables and fresh bread. Try one of these recipes in your countertop oven: 

• Honey and Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes

• Apple Brie Crostini

• Honey Mustard Balsamic Roasted Salmon

• 30-Minute Dinner Rolls 

• Twice Baked Duchess Potato