Black & Decker Crisp 'N Bake Air Fry Digital Convection Countertop Oven

As someone who spends a significant amount of time in the kitchen, I’m always on the lookout for appliances that can simplify cooking while offering versatility. That's why I was particularly intrigued by the Black & Decker Crisp 'N Bake Air Fry Digital Convection Countertop Oven (model TOD3315G). With its promise of combining air frying, toasting, baking, broiling, and keeping food warm, it seemed like a compact all-in-one solution for my countertop. Here’s my detailed experience and thoughts on this appliance.

Design and Build Quality

Out of the box, the Crisp 'N Bake Toaster Oven immediately impresses with its sleek stainless steel finish. It’s modern and fits well with other stainless steel appliances in my kitchen. However, the excitement dimmed slightly upon closer inspection. While it looks good, the materials used feel somewhat flimsy, especially the knobs and interior components. The knobs are hard to turn, and the overall feel does not scream "premium." For a brand like Black & Decker, I expected a bit more durability.

The oven is quite sizeable but not overwhelmingly so. It fits comfortably under my kitchen cabinets, which is a big plus considering the limited counter space I have. The three rack positions provide good flexibility for different cooking needs.

Cooking Performance

Toasting

Starting with the basics, this oven does a fantastic job at toasting. It offers seven toast shade selections, which is great for getting your toast just right, whether you like it lightly browned or crispy. The toast comes out evenly cooked, which is a feat not all toaster ovens manage to achieve.

Baking and Broiling

Moving on to baking and broiling, the oven holds its own. I baked a 12-inch pizza, and while it took a bit of trial and error to get the timing right, the end result was satisfactory. The convection technology helps to cook food evenly, but the learning curve is steep. For example, baking a pizza without burning the cheese requires some ingenuity, like placing an empty pan above the pizza to shield it from direct heat.

Broiling is straightforward and effective, producing well-cooked tops on dishes without burning them. However, the oven's top gets extremely hot during use, so caution is necessary to avoid burns and to keep the area around it clear.

Air Frying

The most anticipated feature for me was the air frying function. The idea of healthier "fried" food with little to no oil is very appealing. Unfortunately, this feature left me somewhat disappointed. The air fry setting operates at a fixed temperature of 425°F, which is quite high. This makes it tricky to cook certain foods without burning them. For instance, homemade French fries came out overly browned on the outside while still somewhat raw inside. Prepackaged foods like frozen fries and chicken nuggets fared better, coming out crisp and evenly cooked, but this limitation reduces the versatility I was hoping for.

Keep Warm

The keep warm function is handy for maintaining the temperature of meals until you're ready to serve. It does what it says on the tin, keeping food warm without further cooking it, which is useful for dinner parties or family meals where timing can be unpredictable.

Ease of Use

The digital controls are intuitive, but they come with a caveat. The timer is a bit finicky, and the markings on the knobs are hard to read. Also, the timer ticks loudly while running and emits a loud "DING" when it finishes, which can be quite jarring. The included accessories—a bake pan, rack, and air fry mesh tray—are useful, but the air fry tray is particularly difficult to clean. The crumb tray at the bottom does make cleaning up bread crumbs and smaller food particles easier.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Crisp 'N Bake Toaster Oven is a mixed bag. The exterior wipes down easily with a damp cloth, maintaining its shiny appearance. The interior, however, is a different story. Food splatters and grease build-up, especially on the top where the heating elements are, make cleaning a chore. The drip pan stains easily and requires more than just a simple wipe-down, often needing baking soda or a stronger cleaner to get it back to a decent condition. The lack of a self-cleaning feature or safe-to-use cleaning sprays adds to the maintenance burden.

Conclusion and Recommendation

So, would I recommend the Black & Decker Crisp 'N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you need a reliable toaster oven that also does a decent job of baking and broiling, this could be a good fit. The air frying function, while not perfect, works well enough for prepackaged foods and simple recipes. Its versatility in cooking functions and compact size make it suitable for small kitchens or those looking to reduce the number of appliances on their countertop.

However, if your primary interest is in air frying, you might be better off with a dedicated air fryer that offers more control over temperature settings. The build quality and ease of cleaning are also considerations that might sway your decision. For its price point, it provides decent value, but it does come with its share of compromises.

In summary, the Crisp 'N Bake Toaster Oven is a good multi-functional appliance with room for improvement. It’s not perfect, but it’s a convenient option for those looking to consolidate several cooking functions into one appliance.