Hamilton Beach Toaster - Black Toastation Toaster Oven Review

For some reason out of the blue about 6 months ago, my husband decided he wanted a toaster oven.  I was perfectly happy with our regular toaster but once he gets something in his head, it's pretty much a done deal.  The next day he came home with the Hamilton Beach Black Toastation Toaster/Toaster Oven which he paid $39.95 for.  Most of our appliances are black so I was pleased with the look of this black and chrome Toaster Oven.  I was just skeptical as to how well it would work.   

The Toaster Oven

Product Features:

• ex. Wide slot toaster
• Glass oven door
• Mini-oven compartment
• auto-shut off
• Classic Black & chrome design
• 1 Year Warranty 

Dimensions: 

• Height: 10 inches
• Width: 12 inches
• Depth: 20 inches
• Weight: 11 pounds

My Experience

When my husband brought this toaster oven home, I liked the size of it since it wouldn't take up too much counter space and I also thought it was quite attractive. 

Once I started using the unit on a regular basis, I began to realize that this compact 2 in 1 appliance - toaster & toaster oven, wasn't cutting it for a family of four.  The top slot works like a traditional 2 slice toaster and fits thick breads and bagels but but our family really needs four slots. 

The manufacturer claims that the oven fits two 16 inch pizza slices or two personal pizzas. I claim that it doesn't.  The oven part of this toaster oven is extremely small.  I have been able to cook like tater tots, french toast sticks or chicken nuggets but never could I fit two 16 inch pizza slices.  The length of cooking time is quite long and honestly, it's quicker to just stick them in the oven. 

On the upside, the switch from toaster to oven is easy. With the slide of a lever, the toaster slot is sealed, trapping the heat. The controls include a temperature control and a shade selector on the front and a push-down lever on the side for the toaster. There is a ready signal and a baking tray.

Just recently, the toaster portion of the toaster oven began to bend and trap my bread when toasting to the point where my toast would burn if I didn't unplug the unit and manually pop it up.  I can't tell you how many times the toast has broken in pieces from me just trying to get it out of the toaster.  It is difficult to get all the crumbs cleaned up sufficiently to not have a burning smell every time you toast something.  

Final Thoughts

Personally, I think the Hamilton Beach Black Toastation Toaster/Toaster Oven is a below average product and I wouldn't purchase it again nor would I recommend it.  This unit is getting a 2 star rating from me.  If it didn't trap the toast and burn it, I would consider recommending it to a person that lives alone to use since it is so compact but because of the malfunction, I can't.