The Hamilton Beach Convection 6 Slice Toaster Oven/Broiler 31150 acts just like a second oven in your kitchen.

This unit measures 20 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 11 inches tall at its widest points. It seemed rather large for a countertop appliance but the extra space translates into increased capacity. It has a boxy design with a silver and black housing with some stainless-steel components. You also get a sturdy 10x11-inch bake pan and broil rack with this unit.

Easy-to-use pushbutton controls provide handy access to the various functions, including Toast, Bake, Broil, Pizza, and Convection. We liked the square calculator-style buttons, which we found to be quite intuitive. Each function is clearly labeled and preprogrammed with a default setting. For instance, pressing the Bake button automatically initiates a 30-minute bake cycle at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can change the time and/or temperature using the + or – buttons. The maximum time is 1-1/2 hours. To begin any function, including toast, you also need to press the Start/Stop button. While this is technically an "extra step" in the process, we found it quite simple to press a few buttons and we appreciated the one-touch Stop functionality. There are also audible beeps to alert you when the oven is preheated and when the time has elapsed.

The convection feature was interesting. We assumed that pressing the Convection button would activate the fan bake function; however, you actually have to press Bake first, then select your time and temperature settings, and press Start before you can activate the fan using the Convection button. Again, once you get the sequence down, it's quite easy. We also loved the timer option, which shuts the oven off automatically once the time has elapsed. We also liked that you can add more time mid-cycle.

We appreciated the extra roomy interior. With the rack on its lowest setting, there is nearly 7 inches of clearance space from a height perspective. That allows you to cook a 6-pound roast, whole chicken or ham. In addition, wide inside dimensions of 12x12 inches can accommodate a 12-inch frozen pizza, 9-inch cake pan, 6-cup muffin tin, 9x5-inch meatloaf pan and standard 1-1/2-quart baking dish.

The one feature we did not like was the adjustable wire rack, which seemed to tilt slightly when pulled too far forward. Because of this, you need to use caution when removing weighted items.

Performance-wise, we were impressed with the even heating capability. Toasting was accomplished relatively quickly -- in less than 4 minutes, with a maximum capacity of six slices. Hard-to-toast items, such as English muffins took a bit longer. Using the convection bake setting, you can actually complete some tasks up to 25 percent faster. What's particularly nice about this unit is, in a pinch, it can substitute for your regular oven.


Pros: Extra-large capacity, pushbutton digital programs, preset options
Cons: Bulky housing, wire rack tilts slightly when pulled halfway out of oven