If you own a toaster oven, you probably see different settings on it. Further, it may make you wonder about the difference since it’s one and the same oven no matter the settings. However, these settings play an essential role in cooking. Thus, you need to understand each one so you can use your toaster oven to the best it can offer.
For instance, toaster ovens have the ‘toast’ and ‘bake’ settings, but what is the difference between the two? In general, the ‘toast’ setting is used to reheat and give color or browning to an already cooked food. On the other hand, the ‘bake’ setting is used for cooking raw food by maintaining a specific temperature inside the toaster oven.
If you’re not familiar with temperature settings, you may find such settings helpful. First, however, you still need to understand what each of these settings means. This way, you can know which one is ideal for the type of cooking that you need.
This article contains some of the frequently asked questions about this matter. We answered each one so you can have a guide as you use your toaster oven when cooking.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
What does bake mean on a toaster oven?
The ‘bake’ setting on a toaster oven is preset of both temperatures. In essence, the setting brings the toaster to a particular temperature and holds that temperature to your preferred time.
Thus, it’s ideal for baking something, like cookies, biscuits, muffins, and even dinner rolls. Also, you can use the ‘bake’ setting if you’re eating food for an extended period. Such food types include frozen goods like frozen pie.
Now that we understand the ‘bake’ setting, you may now wonder what the ‘toast’ setting means, on the other hand.
What does toast mean on a toaster oven?
The ‘toast’ setting on a toaster oven is a setting that makes the toaster oven release an equal amount of heat from the top and the bottom. Thus, the toast setting is usually pretty hot.
Some toaster ovens have light, medium, and dark settings to control the toast you prefer. In short, this setting is ideal if you’re looking for a toasted color in your food. In general, it creates an excellent browning that also gives an appealing flavor to the food.
For instance, if you use the toast setting to a pizza, you can enjoy the semi-burnt and browned melted cheese on top while you get a crispy crust in the bottom. It’s also the setting for a perfect toasted loaf for every breakfast.
Now that we have an idea of the two settings, we can move on to other questions. Since many people use these two settings in alternate ways, you may wonder if they are the same.
Is bake the same as toast?
No, the ‘bake’ setting is not the same as the ‘toast’ setting in a toaster oven. The ‘bake’ setting is a temperature setting ideal for cooking. On the other hand, the ‘toast’ setting is a temperature setting that’s ideal for reheating.
Both settings have different temperatures and heating methods, so you shouldn’t use one for the purpose of the other.
For instance, if you’re baking raw cookie dough, you shouldn’t use the ‘toast’ setting as it may cause the dough to get burnt while still remaining raw inside. At the same time, you shouldn’t use the ‘bake’ setting if you’re only reheating as it may cause overcooking.
If you’re still not sure, you may wonder about the difference between the two settings.
What is the difference between toast and bake?
The difference between the ‘toast’ and ‘bake’ settings is the method of heating. Since different cooking styles and recipes call for such, you need to understand what it means.
When toasting, you push the toaster to high heat to give some color or browning to your food. Thus, it’s an ideal setting for already cooked food.
On the other hand, baking means you push the toaster to a specific temperature and maintain it for as long as your recipe calls. Thus, it’s an ideal setting for cooking food that’s still raw.
In short, the difference between toast and bake is that toast is for cooked food while bake is for raw food.
Now, you can also use the ‘bake’ setting for reheating. Such a setting comes in handy when you’re reheating frozen food.
Since they need time to thaw and get hot, you’ll need the steady temperature of the ‘bake’ setting to heat it thoroughly.
Do you bake or toast pizza in a toaster oven?
In general, you can use either the ‘bake’ or ‘toast’ setting, depending on what type of pizza you have. But, of course, it all depends on whether your pizza is already cooked or is still raw.
For instance, if you have a frozen pizza, you’ll want to use the ‘bake’ setting to make sure that the pizza gets hot and cooked all throughout.
On the other hand, you should use the toast setting if you have a leftover pizza and you just want to have that crunch on the crust.
Now, you can always use both settings if you prefer. For example, use the bake setting on a frozen pizza to get it cooked, and then use the toast to get a good browning and crispiness.
The only thing you need to make sure of is to watch over your pizza so it won’t get burnt throughout the process.
Summary
So, what is the difference between the ‘toast’ and the ‘bake’ setting on a toaster oven? The difference is the temperature and the heating process. In general, the ‘toast’ setting makes the toaster oven reach an extremely high temperature, while the ‘bake’ setting makes the toaster oven hold a specific temperature.
In essence, you use the ‘toast’ setting for already cooked food that needs browning. Then, you use the ‘bake’ setting for raw food that needs thorough cooking.
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Image credits – Canva