Proctor Silex 31115 4-Slice Toaster Oven/Broiler, White
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Proctor Silex 31115 4-Slice Toaster Oven/Broiler, White
Customer Review: Nice Oven - Can be invaded by ornery cats
Summary: 3 Stars
On the day I bought this oven I placed a tuna casserole in the oven to bake and discovered that one of my cats managed to open the door. Fortunately for me, and the cat, I was still figuring out the directions and the oven wasn't on. Since tuna and chicken are the two products most likely to get the attention of resident felines I've learned that I need to banish the resident little Houdini's when I use the toaster oven.
It would make sense if the manufacturer could put some type of latching mechanism so that the oven can be more cat proof (and child proof as well). The outside of the unit can be pretty hot and toasty so I would not put anything on top of or by the unit that could easily melt.
Aside from these two flaws the toaster oven does a fairly decent job of baking small amounts of food. The broiler feature is good for making small cuts of meat without having to heat a whole oven. Since it is just me and my daughter it makes far more sense for me to cook in small amounts and this oven seems to be ideally suited.
Now if I were to make another purchase I would probably look at ovens in the $40-60 price range. This is because of the flaws I've already mentioned. But if you are looking for a nice cheap product that will help with the basics it is still a decent product.
Customer Review: Workable Value With Quirks
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this to appease my wife's apparent insatiable desire for toast and "properly heated" pastries and such. :( We're both pleased with it, however, and it IS a value for money.
She wanted me to point out an inconsistency in its design: The upper temperature dial has a "toast" setting which when used with the toasting twist dial below it results in only the top element heating and resultantly, uneven toasting. The fix is simple, though: Just put the top dial on 350°, then twist the toast dial. Voilà!
The twist dial approach to controls means you have to force the dial back to zero if you want to switch off the element early, and this could be trouble down the line as far as wear and tear. Still solid here so far, though.
This last part may be nitpicky and irrelevant to some, but I wish it were dual voltage since I work abroad so often. I know, that would raise the price of a minor appliance, but doesn't that lack of an option speak to the industry's supposition of disposibility? I know, quality is intentionally sacrificed in all these sort of things so that folks will buy new ones every few years...but admittedly neither have I seen any problems pending with this oven so far after a few months of use.
For the price range a very recommended product!
Customer Review: OK for the money
Summary: 2 Stars
Obviously, you can't expect a terrific/high quality product for the price of the PS 31115. It will make toast, though you will have to listen to a rather loud timer clicking until completion. The biggest negative is the poor interior design which grossly limits the available vertical space between the rack and the heating filament, which means that you will be fine with toasting or heating a flat slice of bread and/or other item, however, if it comes to a roll or anything approximating even 3" in height, it will be burned or scorched. There are only two heating filaments (one on top & one on the bottom), so heat distribution is not as even as one would like in a unit of such relatively large depth. It generates tremendous heat which almost instantly radiates to the exterior of the rather thin shell, so care must be taken to not accidentally touch the unit during or right after operation...In sum, if you are looking for an inexpensive appliance to make toast and heat/cook flat items this seems like a good value. If you are looking for an "oven" to cook/warm-up even remotely sizeable objects, get something else.Customer Review: a good value for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
This has been a reliable, safe, good-working addition to my kitchen. I've had it months with no problems.
It cooks food relatively evenly. I wouldn't expect perfection for this price. Toast and bagels always come out good. Frozen foods cooked in it sometimes aren't heated as evenly as they could be, but it's close enough.
Before buying it, I noticed another review that said it made a loud noise when it ran. The noise is just the wind-up timer (silly person!) which really isn't that big of a deal.
It's a good value for the price. But like many toaster ovens in the same price range, it's built to be disposable. Over time the finish/trim has gotten stained from cooking, and it just doesn't clean up 100%. The chrome discolors from the heat and food. The white exterior has gotten little stains that don't always come off. I hate to say it but I suspect I'll have to throw it away before it's 5 yrs old. I wish we didn't live in such a throwaway society.
Customer Review: Only found one problem .....
Summary: 4 Stars
Proctor Silex 31115 4-Slice Toaster Oven/Broiler, White
This oven is bigger than some more expensive models I've looked at; the price was certainly reasonable. I like the fact that the icons for what it does are printed and identified on the front of the appliance itself ... you don't have to keep looking for the instruction book! The temperature settings appear to be accurate, as is the timer. The only problem I have with the unit is: The maximum time you can set for cooking is 15 minutes and then it automatically turns off. Many things I use it for require 20 or 25 minutes; so, I have to stay really alert to reset the timer before the oven begins to cool. Having said that, I would recommend this oven to others and would buy it again myself!