The toaster oven is just that; it bakes like an oven, and cooks like a toaster. These handy gadgets can toast a slice of bread, crisp up a waffle and re-heat a dish of leftovers in no time. Best of all, these little hotties do it all without heating up the kitchen or inflating your energy bill.

A toaster oven is small and takes up very little counter space, which is a boon to homemakers with compact kitchens. They're easy to use, too. A simple dial will set the heat control to the desired temperature. Then, just open the door, place the food to be baked or toasted on the inner cooking grill, and then close the door. Most toaster ovens feature glass windows that allow you to monitor the cooking process, ensuring that food doesn't burn.

If the dial on your toaster oven is set for "toasting", rather than "warming" or "baking", the toaster thermostat will be activated. The thermostat allows the built-in heating elements to do their job. Toaster ovens have heating elements at the top and the bottom of the inside oven compartment, to provide an even and balanced source of heat. Most toaster ovens also have variable heat controls, allowing you to choose the desired temperature. If you choose to set the control to "bake", the baking thermometer will activate the heating elements to achieve your desired results.

There is another function that comes into play during the baking process. The baking time, or duration, is controlled by a timing mechanism. The success of your baking will depend upon the wattage and capacity of your particular toaster oven. As a rule, the baking capabilities are reflected in the retail price of the appliance.

All manufactured products will eventually face mechanical problems, and toaster ovens are no exception. Many homemakers will find that they need to purchase a replacement electrical cord, as the original cords are known to burn out fairly quickly. Others complain of faulty thermostats. When thermostats cause errors in temperature regulation, they can be recalibrated. If you face this problem, check your product manual or take the appliance to a professional service shop.

The main switch, thermal fuse and solenoid are other components of a toaster oven's electrical anatomy, and all are prone to becoming faulty with regular use. If your toaster oven needs repair, but is less than one year old, check your warranty to see if you can get a product replacement or refund. If your toaster oven is an older model in need of repair, it may be worth retiring the old oven and treating yourself to a new one. Think of the environment, however, and ask if the toaster oven can be repaired before you decide to dispose of it.

Toaster ovens are handy appliances to have for reheating, cooking, baking, and, of course, toasting. If you haven't used one lately, maybe it's time to rekindle that warm relationship.