If an affordable family toaster oven is what you’re looking for, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 will do the trick. Praised for its good looks, it’s one of the best toaster ovens in its category. Not many other small appliances on the market will offer you the same value for your money.
This toaster oven can fit six bread slices at once. It features a roll-top door to make the toasting process as easy as it gets. With its 10” x 19” x 16” size, it’s guaranteed to fit in almost any kitchen and most RVs.
The Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 toaster oven comes with multiple cooking features, a thirty-minute timer, an automatic shut-off feature, and a removable crumb tray. You can also override the timer when you need to cook something longer than half an hour.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven Review
Equipped with both top and bottom heating elements, it’s guaranteed to cook each of your meals evenly. It also has a fan which helps to circulate the warm air throughout the oven. It can prepare a wide variety of meals, ranging from crispy toast and roasted vegetables to broiled fish, and good old pizza.
The Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 toaster oven comes with two rack positions – which give you additional control over preparing your meal. The rack and a baking pan are included in the purchase so it’s basically a plug-and-cook appliance once you buy it.
The removable crumb tray is a real game-changer and it significantly reduces the time spent on cleaning the toaster oven.
- Easy to clean
- Easy access to food
- Bake pan & bake rack included
- Louder convection mode (fan noise)
Cooking Functions
- Bake
- Broil
- Toast
- Convection
While it does not offer all of the cooking functions of a regular oven, it still covers the basic ones. They are just enough to prepare the most common and easy meals. Using even just the most basic cooking functions, you will be able to prepare and cook delicious meals without issues.
You can also choose the convection setting when baking. In this case, a fan will distribute hot air throughout the oven. Use the convection option to evenly cook your meals and to caramelize the crust on baked goods – among other things. This option usually reduces the cooking time by up to 25%, thanks to the circulated hot air.
I have written a detailed article about convection toaster ovens – how they work, what a convection setting is, the best uses, a few neat tricks, and much more. In case you’re curious, read my guide about convection toaster ovens. Who knows, maybe a convection toaster oven is your next kitchen friend.
Technical Specifications
| Specifications | Hamilton Beach 31126 |
| Color | Silver |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 16.75 x 10.76 x 19.76 |
| Wattage | 1400 watts |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
With technical stuff out of the way, let’s talk about the benefits of this toaster oven.
The benefits of the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 are many, my favorites being the roll-top door (I mean how convenient is that?) and two rack positions. I just love having that extra control over preparing my meal. With the price being at around $89, you’re guaranteed to get lots of value for the money.
Roll-Top Door
The roll-top door offers easier access to your cooked meals. This door slides up and out of your way, giving you a safer way to remove hot dishes from the toaster oven. Additionally, the door is actually manufactured from glass, which allows you to follow the cooking process (which is perfect when recipe times are incorrect – which can happen).
Compact Size
The smaller size enables the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126’s storage-friendly use. Storage space in smaller kitchens and in RVs can be tricky to maneuver. That is why the compact design saves you from headaches.
30-minute Timer & Automatic Shut-off
Timer settings can also be a bother, but not with this toaster oven. The 30-minute timer enables you to set the cooking time – based on your preference or recipe. This allows you to tackle different chores around your house, without having to constantly check on your dinner.
On the other hand, the automatic shut-off function makes sure your appliance does not overcook the food. Even if you are late, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 will not burn your dishes. Another excellent feature is that this shut-off function can be overwritten for dishes requiring more time to properly cook.
Removable Crumb Tray
A removable crumb tray is a perfect way to keep the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 clean. This tray collects all breadcrumbs and other scraps of food falling from your meals during the cooking time. Simply remove the crumb tray, wipe it off and reinsert it to keep the toaster oven clean and functional.
Two Rack Positions
Lastly, the two rack positions are perfect in this small toaster oven. This allows you to cook versatile dishes with just one appliance. The rack position can be easily adjusted based on the size of the dish being prepared with the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126.
Is Hamilton Beach Easy Reach the Right Toaster Oven For You?
The Hamilton Beach Easy Reach comes with a few cons. One such issue is the louder convection mode. When the convection mode is turned on, an additional fan will be put into function. This fan distributes hot air in the oven, making the toaster oven cook meals more evenly – while also improving the cooking time. However, this fan will create more noise, which will make the appliance louder when the convection mode is turned on.
Apart from this small drawback, it’s a great toaster oven overall. It comes with a nicer modern look, a spacious interior, and multiple cooking functions. A bake pan, a rack, and a crumb tray are included with the purchase. All that is for just a little under $90 on Amazon.
Whether you’re looking for a compact replacement for a traditional oven, or you just don’t like firing up a larger oven, a Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 31126 is the perfect solution. It will save you space, time, it’s easy to clean, and it will look great in your kitchen.
Helpful Articles
- How to Use a Toaster Oven?
- How to Clean a Toaster Oven?
- How to Preheat a Toaster Oven?
- How Hot Does a Toaster Oven Get?
- How Long Do Toaster Ovens Last?
Related Questions:
How do you turn on a Hamilton Beach toaster oven?
To initially turn on a Hamilton Beach toaster oven, plug it into a power outlet. Set the ON/OFF dial to maximum (450°F) and heat at this temperature for 10 minutes. This process will burn off any present dust particles. After the initial 10 minutes, no odor should be present.
How do you toast in a Hamilton Beach toaster oven?
To toast bread in a Hamilton Beach toaster oven simply put slices of bread into the oven and adjust the setting to toast. Set the desired temperature and time dials to anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. Decide the exact time based on your toasty preferences.
How do you preheat a Hamilton Beach toaster oven?
To preheat a Hamilton Beach toaster oven, set the temperature dial to the desired temperature. The preheating temperature ranges between 350 °F (175 °C) and 400 °F (204 °C). Make sure the doors are closed so no air escapes and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
