Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven TOA-70 Review Best Convection Oven Features Explained

Description

Sleek Design and Build Quality

The Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, TOA-70 instantly caught my eye thanks to its stainless steel finish. Its polished exterior fits seamlessly into a modern kitchen setup, giving it a premium feel. I found the large viewing window to be extremely helpful when monitoring food, as I could watch my pizza crisp up without repeatedly opening the door. The compact design doesn’t sacrifice functionality; it’s surprisingly spacious inside, accommodating up to six slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza, which I tested firsthand during a family dinner. However, the knobs, while sturdy, feel slightly dated compared to digital controls on competing models.

Cooking Performance and Versatility

This isn’t just your average toaster oven. With eight cooking functions, including air fry, convection bake, grill, and warm, it’s like having multiple appliances rolled into one. I used the air fry setting to make crispy chicken wings, and they came out perfectly golden without needing a drop of oil. The convection bake option was a game-changer for cookies—each batch had even browning, and the consistency was spot on. There’s also a toast shade selector, which allowed me to customize toast levels to everyone’s liking, from lightly golden to extra crispy. However, I noticed that the broil function took a little longer to heat than expected, which might frustrate those in a hurry.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

Operating this machine is incredibly straightforward. The temperature dial is intuitive, and the 60-minute timer with auto-shutoff ensures you’re not accidentally overcooking anything. Even my tech-averse uncle could figure out the controls without needing the manual. What stood out most is the nonstick interior, which made cleaning up after cooking a breeze. The AirFry basket and baking pan are also dishwasher-safe, saving even more time. That said, the exterior can smudge easily, so keeping it fingerprint-free was a minor annoyance.

Key Benefits

• Eight cooking functions in one appliance provide unmatched versatility.
• Air fry feature delivers crispy results with minimal oil.
• The large capacity is ideal for families or hosting small gatherings.
• Nonstick interior simplifies cleanup and maintenance.

Drawbacks to Consider

While this product shines in many areas, there are a couple of downsides I encountered during testing:

• Knobs feel outdated compared to modern touchscreen controls.
• Broil function takes a bit longer to reach desired temperatures.
• The stainless steel exterior is prone to visible smudges.

Competing Products

In comparison to the Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven, I found that the Cuisinart model excels in capacity and offers a more diverse range of cooking functions. The Ninja, on the other hand, has a sleeker digital interface, which some users may prefer. Against the Breville Smart Oven Air, the Cuisinart is more budget-friendly while still delivering crispy air-fried results. However, Breville’s precision cooking settings might appeal to those who enjoy experimenting with recipes. Cuisinart’s TOA-70 strikes a balance between affordability and performance, making it a strong contender in this category.

Worth Every Penny

Given its multi-functionality, the TOA-70 offers excellent value for money, especially for those looking to replace multiple kitchen appliances. While not the absolute cheapest option out there, it justifies its price by combining high-quality performance with the convenience of features like an oven light, air fry basket, and a toast selector. For anyone who loves cooking but hates clutter, this toaster oven is a no-brainer.