Oster's 6-slice Convection Toaster Oven 6293 is part of the Inspire collection and won us over with its low cost, ease of use and functionality. It is available in a choice of four colors: White, black, stainless steel or red. The stainless steel model costs about $20 more than the others.

This unit is definitely on the large side, measuring 20.5 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 12 inches tall. It comes with a sliding wire rack and a standard chrome bake/broil pan. The rack can accommodate up to six slices of standard-size bread, but depending on the dimensions, you may need to turn the slices sideways. Six slices take about 6 minutes in the 6293 to achieve a light color, and only slightly longer to achieve a darker color; while we wouldn't call this quick, the evenness of the toasting was very good and subsequent batches toasted much faster, since the unit was already preheated.

There are three dial controls on this unit. The first sets the function: "Warm", "Broil", "Toast" or "Bake". The second offers a range of temperatures from 150-450 degrees Fahrenheit (markings are also given in Celsius). The third dial acts as a toasting lever, oven timer and "On" button. In toast or timer mode, the unit emits a gentle ticking sound to let you know that it's working. The timer can be set for up to 60 minutes, which is handy for most cooking tasks. Upon completion of the cycle, you'll hear a bell tone, after which the unit shuts itself off automatically; this can be a plus when you are busy with other tasks but still need to monitor doneness and adjust the cooking time if needed.

We like the fact that the oven rack automatically advances as you open the door; it makes food removal easier and prevents scorched fingers. The rack is reversible, and there are two rack positions to offer higher or lower positions, depending on the desired function. We find that the rack slides in and out smoothly and is very stable.

The convection feature automatically engages when the "Bake" setting is selected; it utilizes a fan to move the heated air around the oven chamber for faster, more even cooking. The fan itself is almost silent, but if you listen closely you can hear it working. For best results, the oven should be preheated for about 10 minutes. The top and bottom elements cycle on and off to maintain a consistent oven temperature. During broiling, the oven door can be left halfway open for better airflow. We loved this option for making quick-cook items such as garlic bread and bruschetta.

The roomy interior can handle an assortment of items, from breads and muffins to meats and main-dish casseroles, seafood au gratin, roasted chicken, meat loaf and more. Round or square baking pans up to 11 inches fit inside the 6293 comfortably, and thanks to an extended rear wall, you can even fit a 12-inch frozen pizza. Because the heat is concentrated, cooking times are similar to (or faster than) those of a standard oven.

The exterior surfaces of the oven do get hot quick, so proper precautions must be taken not to place items on or near the oven while it is working. The unit's two side handles and oven door handle stay comfortably cool during use for safe access to the oven's contents.

Other features include non-stick interior walls, a removable front-access slide-out crumb tray and a power light.


Pros: Convection feature, 60-minute oven timer, roomy interior, front-access crumb tray, self-advancing wire rack
Cons: Exterior surfaces get hot

Warranty
1 year, limited