Classy and Opinionated Lifestyle Mom Blog
Your kitchen is one of the rooms in your home that is used the most. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be much of a cook, it is still where you go come mealtime. It might also serve other purposes relating to storage and …
My family spends a lot of time outside and we’re always on-the-go. We enjoy going camping, hiking, boating, and backpacking. Our beautiful planet has so much for all of us to see. As stewards of Mother Earth, it’s our job to help protect it. We’re …
Last month my toaster oven finally bit the dust. I had that particular appliance for 9 years and absolutely loved it. Yes, it was old but it was easy to use and got the job done! It was made by Hamilton Beach and I knew I would be replacing it with another one by that company. I love their kitchen appliances and have always been happy with past purchases from that brand.
* Item was personally purchased by the writer who is sharing her honest opinion on it with the readers of the TCC blog. This post may contain affiliate links.
I started my search for a new toaster oven by visiting two local stores. I like to see and touch things like this, so I wanted to see a few models up close and personal. After seeing a few of them, I knew what I wanted but didn’t want to pay that price. I hopped online and went to my go-to store Amazon where I found one at an affordable price!
What I purchased was a Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Countertop Toaster Oven. I selected this model because I hate digital control knobs and dials. I’m older and my eyesight isn’t the greatest. I find digital displays hard to read. I wanted a model with dials that were easy-to-read and simple to set. Nothing complicated.
Our kitchen is limited on counterspace so it had to be compact in size but yet hold enough food for the two of us. Yes, we’re empty-nesters so I don’t need a huge toaster oven sitting on my counter. The one I purchased has 2 adjustable interior racks and I really LOVE the roll-up door so that I can easily put things in and takes things out without making a mess or burning myself.
It can be used as a toaster, a convection oven or as a small conventional oven. You can bake, broil and toast in it. In the bottom is a removable crumb tray so you can easily keep it clean. I’m all about ease of cleaning!
The knobs (dials) are easy-to-use. The top knob sets the temperature that you need. Mine goes clear up to 450 degrees F for broiling. The bottom knob is for setting it to bake or toast and operates the timer from 5 minutes to 30 minutes in length. Let’s say I need to bake something for 30 minutes. I turn the dial to 30 minutes and when it’s done it will automatically shut-off! This is an important feature for me since I suffer with epilepsy. I don’t have to worry if I have a seizure that the house will burn down.
When my racks and baking pan need to be cleaned I put them on the bottom rack in my dishwasher. They come out sparkling clean every time with no pre-scrubbing at all. I store them all in the toaster oven to save on space. The outside is easy to clean too. I like to wipe it down with a cleaning wipe which gets off dirt & grease with ease.
Here’s a tip for all of you. To protect your kitchen countertops place your toaster oven on top of a tempered glass cutting board. It protects your countertop from heat, food droppings and grease. If that gets dirty you can place it in the dishwasher on the bottom rack for cleaning. I bought one a few years ago that blends in nicely with the color of my countertop.
If you’re in the market for a new toaster oven I highly recommend that you check out the models that are offered by Hamilton Beach. Especially the models in the Easy Reach style. This model is so easy to operate that even my 11 1/2 year old granddaughter uses it when she’s here. Great for empty nesters and/or families.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
Disclaimer: The writer personally purchased the product featured in this post and paid full price. The writer is sharing her personal experience with it and honest opinion on it with the readers of the TCC blog. Your opinion and experience may differ.
Have you ever heard of a noodle board? I had never heard of them until a few months ago. They’re handcrafted wooden boards with handles that fit across the top of your stove. This wooden tray (cover) gives the home cook more counter space when …
I use a vegetable peeler several times a week, even more when it’s canning season. I use them to peel eggplants, zucchinis, cucumbers, carrots, red beets, turnips, potatoes, etc. It’s much safer to use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove skin than using a sharp …
If you are looking to buy a knife but are unsure whether an automatic knife is the best choice for you, then you do not have to fret any longer. There are many knives available and it can be overwhelming if you are a beginner and don’t know what to look for when it comes to knives. Fortunately, this guide is going to tell you everything you need to know about automatic knives.
1- What is an Automatic Knife
Before going into the different factors you need to consider when looking for the perfect automatic knife, you need to first know what it is and what they do. An automatic knife is another term for a switchblade. This type of blade has been around for quite some time but has become more automated over the years by adding a spring that pushes the blade out of its resting place when a button on the knife handle is pressed. It is a popular choice because it can be quite convenient.
2- Sizes
One of the first factors you need to consider when looking for an automatic blade is its size. You do not want to get a blade that is too small because it’s not really practical at all, and you also do not want to get one that is too big. If the blade handle does not rest in your hands properly, you may hurt yourself while using it. Not to mention, having the wrong size can make it difficult to maneuver the blade as well.
3- Purpose
Automatic knives are multi-purpose meaning that they are great if you are camping, hunting, or even for self-defense. Some automatic knives are better suited for specific purposes more than others, so it is an essential factor to know what you need it for when looking for a knife. For example, if you want to use your blade for hunting, it will have different features than if you are using it for camping purposes.
4- Where to Buy Automatic Knives
Unfortunately, if you don’t know of a specific shop that sells automatic knives near you, you might struggle to find one on your own. On the bright side, there are different online stores that sell automatic knives, you just have to find a reliable one. Start by searching for benchmade knives huge selection online to find the right e-commerce website to check out. You can judge if a website is reliable or not if it has a considerable collection of knives available, information about all the different specs of each one, and contact information you can use for further inquiries.
5- Safety
The last but certainly not least factor you need to think about when perusing websites or shops for a new automatic knife is how safe it is. If you have children around, you don’t want them getting hurt if they ever find your knife. You also do not want to accidentally nick yourself if you have the knife in your bag and it opens somehow. If this is a concern for you, then look for automatic knives with a lock feature in it. This ensures that the blade does not come out of its resting place unless the lock is disengaged.
Using these different factors, you can find the right switchblade for your needs. Remember that although there are many options available, with the right specifications in mind, you can narrow down your options until you find the right blade. Don’t hesitate to research different options thoroughly before picking a blade.
Once you have met with your contractor and finalized a start date for your kitchen renovation, it is important to begin the preparations for construction. Kitchen renovations can not only be stressful and overwhelming, but they can be messy and inconvenient as well, so the …
When I was a little girl I used to assist my grandmother with her home canning activities. I believe I was around 10 years old when I was exposed to canning for the first time. After she passed my father-in-law picked up where Grandma left …