The Cuisinart Custom Classic™ Toaster Oven Broiler, model TOB-40, is a versatile kitchen appliance designed for everyday cooking tasks, from toasting and baking to broiling. This instruction and recipe booklet provides comprehensive guidance on its operation, maintenance, and a selection of recipes to help users achieve consistent, professional results.
Function Description
The toaster oven broiler offers multiple cooking functions, making it a multi-purpose tool for various culinary needs.
- Toast Function: This setting is specifically designed for toasting bread, bagels, and similar items. Users can select their desired toast shade (Light, Medium, or Dark) using the Toast Shade Dial. The oven rack should be placed in rack position C for even toasting, and items should be centered on the rack. The toasting cycle begins by pressing the Start/Stop button and concludes with five beeps, after which the oven turns off. The cycle can be stopped prematurely by pressing the Start/Stop button again.
- Bagel Function: Similar to the toast function, the bagel setting is optimized for toasting bagels. The oven rack should be in rack position C, and bagels should be centered. The Toast Shade Dial allows for shade selection. The Start/Stop button initiates the cycle, which also ends with five beeps, and can be interrupted at any time.
- Bake Function: This function allows the toaster oven broiler to be used like a conventional oven for baking various foods, including meats (such as chicken), cakes, cookies, and more. To use this function, the Temperature Dial is set to the desired temperature, and the Function Dial is turned to BAKE. The oven indicator light illuminates, and the oven should be preheated for at least five minutes before placing food inside. The oven rack position for baking can vary depending on the recipe, with diagrams provided for positions A, B, and C.
- Broil Function: Ideal for broiling beef, chicken, pork, fish, and for browning casseroles and gratins. To broil, the Temperature Dial is set to BROIL, and the Function Dial is turned to BROIL. The oven indicator light turns on, and the oven should be preheated for at least five minutes. When broiling, the broiling rack should be placed in the drip pan. The oven rack is typically in the higher position (position C) for most items, but position B can be used for thicker foods. It is important to note that aluminum foil is not recommended for covering the drip pan when broiling fatty foods, as grease accumulation can pose a fire risk. Glass oven dishes should not be used for broiling. The broil operation is turned off by rotating the Function Dial to the OFF position.
Usage Features
The Cuisinart Custom Classic™ Toaster Oven Broiler is designed with user convenience and safety in mind.
- Function Dial: This central control allows users to easily select the desired cooking method: TOAST, BAGEL, BAKE, or BROIL.
- Temperature Dial: Used to set the specific temperature for baking and broiling functions, offering precise control over cooking.
- Toast Shade Dial: Provides adjustable browning levels for toast and bagels, ranging from Light to Dark, catering to individual preferences.
- Toasting Start/Stop Button: A simple push-button control to start the toasting or bagel cycle, and to stop it mid-cycle if needed, allowing for flexibility during operation.
- Oven ON Indicator: A clear indicator light that remains illuminated whenever the oven is in use, providing a visual cue of its operational status.
- Oven Rack: Designed to slide out automatically when the oven door is opened, facilitating easy access to food and reducing the risk of burns. The manual provides diagrams for three rack positions (A, B, C) to guide users on optimal placement for different cooking tasks.
- Slide-out Crumb Tray: Positioned at the bottom front of the oven, this tray collects crumbs and slides out for effortless cleaning, helping to maintain oven hygiene.
- Easy-Clean Interior: The oven's interior walls are coated with a special material that simplifies cleaning, ensuring a hassle-free maintenance experience.
- Broiling Rack: A dedicated rack that fits into the baking pan/drip pan, specifically designed for use during broiling.
- Baking Pan/Drip Pan: An included accessory that serves multiple purposes. It can be used with the broiling rack for broiling, or alone for baking and roasting.
- Cord Storage: While not explicitly shown in the provided image, the manual mentions a cord storage feature on the back of the oven, which helps manage excess cord length and keeps countertops tidy.
- BPA-Free: All parts of the appliance that come into contact with food are BPA-free, ensuring food safety.
Maintenance Features
Proper cleaning and maintenance are crucial for the longevity and consistent performance of the toaster oven broiler.
- Cooling Before Cleaning: Always allow the oven to cool completely before attempting any cleaning procedures to prevent burns.
- Unplugging: The appliance must always be unplugged from the electrical outlet before cleaning or when not in use.
- Exterior Cleaning: The exterior surfaces should be wiped with a clean, damp cloth and then thoroughly dried. Abrasive cleansers should be avoided as they can damage the finish. Cleansing agents should be applied to the cloth, not directly to the toaster oven.
- Interior Cleaning: For interior walls, a damp cloth with a mild liquid soap solution or a spray solution on a sponge can be used. Harsh abrasives, corrosive products, or Brillo pads should never be used on the interior, as they can damage the oven surface.
- Crumb Tray Cleaning: The slide-out crumb tray should be removed to discard crumbs, wiped clean, and replaced. It is dishwasher safe. For baked-on grease, soaking the tray in hot sudsy water or using nonabrasive cleaners is recommended. The oven should never be operated without the crumb tray in place.
- Accessory Cleaning: The wire rack, baking pan, and crumb tray are dishwasher safe. For heavy soiling, soaking in hot sudsy water or using a nylon scouring pad or brush is advised.
- Cord Management: The cord should never be wrapped around the outside of the oven. The cord storage cleats on the back of the oven should be utilized.
- Regular Grease Removal: After cooking greasy foods and once the oven has cooled, it is important to clean the top interior of the oven. Regular removal of grease helps maintain consistent toasting performance cycle after cycle.
- Authorized Servicing: Any servicing beyond routine cleaning should be performed by an authorized service representative to ensure proper repair and maintenance.