The Proctor-Silex 6-slice Toaster Oven 31120 is a bit unconventional in its size and shape but does a fine job with its appointed tasks. This unit is styled entirely in black with a full-view glass front door. What's unusual about this model is its square design. It measures roughly 16 inches in width and 17 inches in depth and stands about 10 inches tall. The square design is surprisingly compact, while enabling it to accommodate whole 12-inch frozen pizzas, which are cooked beautifully in the unit's shallow interior. Toast is also done well in this unit. Two slices of wheat bread were toasted to a medium brownness in about 4.5 minutes. A second batch took only 2.5 minutes to reach the same level of brownness. You can fit up to six slices of bread on the slide-out rack.

The controls on this unit are adequate and relatively easy to use. There are two dials: one to select the function and temperature (Toast, Broil or Bake), and another that acts as a 30-minute timer/oven on button. While we liked the timer for oven functions (cooking convenience foods, for instance), we were not crazy about using it to determine toasting time, since it is impossible to set a specific or preferred time for each batch. You must simply position the dial somewhere between two toast icons for light to dark toasting. Since toasting is fairly quick, you can do fine by just watching the toast progress and stopping the oven if necessary. Also, we noticed that the small lettering around the dials is hard to read without bending down.

We liked the Automatic Off feature when the time on the dial has elapsed. When using the timer, we noticed a faint ticking sound, which alerts you that the oven is operating but is not so noisy as to be distracting. You can also bypass the timer altogether and simply set the dial to the Oven On position. If you do so, however, you need to remember to manually turn the unit off.

This oven also comes with a lightweight 12x12-inch baking tray with broil rack. The tray is perfect for preparing French fries, chicken nuggets and other convenience foods. It is not needed when making toast, pizza or other baked foods, which brown and crisp nicely on the rack itself. You can also use your own baking and casserole dishes (up to 12 inches) in the roomy interior. The only limitation is height. Since you must leave about an inch of space between the food and the heating element, the oven cannot accommodate pans (or foods) taller than 3 inches. So, while chicken drumsticks will fit, a whole chicken will not -- unless you first cut it into pieces, that is.

The Proctor-Silex 6-slice Toaster Oven 31120 delivers above average performance with baking and with broiling. It is extremely convenient to broil up to six hamburgers, bake a breaded fish fillet or prepare toasted garlic bread without having to heat up your kitchen by using the conventional oven. The dials are easy enough for children to operate and the Auto-Off feature of the dial provides peace of mind.


Pros: 30-minute timer, square design accommodates 12-inch pizza
Cons: Imprecise toast settings, limited oven height, small lettering around dials is hard to read

Warranty
1 year, limited