The advantage of this 2-in-1 appliance is obvious: With the combination Daewoo KOG-867T9 toaster-microwave oven you get almost twice the performance in half the space -- and at a bargain price to boot.

This inexpensive and handy little gadget allows you to microwave and make your toast all with the same appliance. Equipped with a 0.9-cubic-foot microwave, this model is spacious enough to handle plenty of simple reheated meals and microwavable packaged foods. It may be a bit on the small side to meet all the cooking needs of a sizeable family, but for a quick round of "nuking" it's quite acceptable.

When it comes to toast, keep in mind that this unit can handle only two pieces at one time. The slots are large enough for bagels and slices of bread. Adjustments allow you to set the unit for variable levels of toasting from very light to quite dark. Where this model falls short a bit is in terms of toaster pastries and frozen waffles. We don't recommend using the KOG-867T9 for this purpose.

As with all the hybrid units we've seen, this model allows you to use only one of the functions at a time. The controls allow either toasting or microwaving, but not both at once. Simple automated programs are included so you can program many foods with just one touch. Programs for other foods are dependent on the number of servings and may require additional touches.

For an inexpensive model, Daewoo's KOG-867T9 offers a good defrosting system. The defrost is staged and uses up to three preset combinations of time and power level for acceptable results.

This product does draw a fair amount of electricity. You will want to ensure you have a dedicated outlet or one with very few other appliances running on it in order to prevent circuit overload.

We found this product at Walmart.com. It has also been spotted in linen and bath superstores and various other online merchants. Shop around for the best price. The Daewoo KOG-867T9 can sometimes be had for an incredible bargain.


Pros: Two appliances in one, saves counter space
Cons: Not recommended for toaster pastries and frozen waffles

Warranty
1 year, full; 5 years, magnetron tube