Are you passionate about cooking and looking to take things up a notch in your kitchen?
Whether you are trying to clear up some counter space or wanting an easier way to cook using a variety of techniques — and fewer appliances — toaster ovens are a wonderful tool to add to your kitchen repertoire.
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a toaster oven, like price, size, functionality, and portability.
The upside is that toaster ovens make cooking easier and relatively mess-free, and they offer a way to cook using a variety of different techniques.
In this guide, we will be comparing four different Calphalon brand toaster oven models: the TSCLTRDG1, TSCLTVCT2, TSCLTRDG1-AF, and TSCLTRDG3-AF.
We will dive into an overview of each product and will also highlight the differences.
We hope this guide will help make your purchasing process easier!
1. Calphalon TSCLTRDG1
1.1 Calphalon TSCLTRDG1 Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven
The TSCLTRDG1 Countertop Toaster Oven is an 11-function appliance with the cooking functions of bake, pizza, broil, toast, bagel, roast, defrost, warm, reheat, cookies, and dehydrate.
Its quartz heating element is designed to cook with 40 percent more even heat than traditional toaster oven models.
You can cook everything from roasted chicken to chocolate chip cookies, and the dehydrate function allows you to make things like beef jerky or fruit and vegetable chips to make produce last longer.
This toaster oven can heat up to 450 degrees and the maximum cook time is 60 minutes.
Its exterior dimensions are 18.7 x 15.8 x 11.6 inches, making it a compact appliance weighing just under 15 pounds.
It can toast up to six slices of bread, can fit a small to medium turkey, and can bake a 12-inch pizza.
Now let’s talk about design. With its dark stainless-steel exterior, front glass door, and intuitive LCD display, the looks of this appliance certainly impress.
It also has a smooth interior non-stick coating to make the cleaning process easier.
This toaster oven comes with a dehydrate rack, baking pan, pizza pan, removable wire rack, and a removable crumb tray.
2. Calphalon TSCLTVCT2
2.1 Calphalon TSCLTVCT2 Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven
The TSCLTVCT2 Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven is a 12-function appliance with the functions of toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, dehydrate, warm, defrost, and bread proof.
The most unique feature about this appliance is that, as its name suggests, it is cool to the touch on the outside, so you don’t need to worry about burning yourself.
Most toaster ovens tend to get very hot on the outside as the internal heating system works.
This cool-touch toaster keeps the external part of the machine up to 75 percent cooler than the standard Calphalon toaster oven model.
This is especially beneficial for small kitchens with tight corners and countertops.
The Cool Touch Toaster Oven has an intuitive LCD display that features all 12 pre-set functions, and it also has a “step cook” feature that allows you to program back-to-back cooking functions at once.
Like the first model, this toaster oven can fit a 12-inch pizza and a small to medium turkey.
This machine is a bit larger, however, with external dimensions of 21.6 L x 20.3 W x 15.8 H inches and a weight of 36 pounds.
An added benefit of this machine is that it can cook for up to four hours at a time, whereas most basic model toaster ovens max out at 60 minutes.
The appliance comes with a baking pan, pizza pan, dehydrate rack, wire rack, and crumb tray.
3. Calphalon TSCLTRDG1-AF
3.1 Calphalon TSCLTRDG1-AF Performance Convection Toaster Oven with Air Fryer
The Performance Convection Toaster Oven and Air Fryer is an 11-function appliance with a turbo convection fan for more even and quicker cooking.
The pre-set functions are air fry, bake, toast, broil, roast, bagel, dehydrate, pizza, reheat, warm, and defrost.
Unlike the other two machines mentioned earlier, this appliance is both a toaster oven and an air fryer, so you can make more health-conscious versions of some of your fried favorites like chicken wings, French fries, and chicken nuggets.
You can toast up to six slices of bread and cook a 12-inch pizza.
The exterior of this machine is dark stainless steel, with an interior nonstick stainless-steel coating for an easy cleaning process.
The dimensions are 18.7 x 15.8 x 11.6 inches, and it weighs just under 22 pounds.
This toaster oven and air fryer heats up to 450 degrees and its maximum cook time is 60 minutes.
It also has a high-contrast LCD screen for an elevated look and feel, and an interior light to easily monitor food as it cooks.
This machine comes with an air fry basket, durable non-stick baking pan, wire rack, and removable crumb tray.
4. Calphalon TSCLTRDG3-AF
4.1 Calphalon TSCLTRDG3-AF Precision Toaster Oven with Air Fry Option
The Precision Toaster Oven and Air Fryer is an eight-function stainless-steel appliance that has the functions of air fry, bake, toast, roast, broil, bagel, pizza, and defrost.
The air fry function allows you to make crispy, delicious recipes. It can fit a 12-inch pizza and can toast up to six slices of bread.
Compared to conventional tube heating elements that most toaster ovens use, this toaster oven and air fryer uses a quartz heating technology that delivers 40 percent more even heat and pre-heats much faster.
Its exterior dimensions are 18.7 x 15.8 x 11.6 inches, and its capacity is 0.88 cubic feet.
With your purchase of this appliance you will also get an air fry basket, a durable non-stick baking pan, a wire rack, and a removable crumb tray that allows for easy cleanup.
The turbo convection technology improves air flow and circulation to cook high quality food.
Something to be mindful of is that since this offers an air fry function, the fan can be loud at times.
Additionally, reviewers have shared that the baking pan does not fit under the air frying rack, so be mindful of greasy food that could drip onto the bottom and cause smoke.
5. Differences
All of these toaster ovens are sure to clear up counter space, and they offer multiple functions so that you can consolidate your kitchen gadgets.
However, it’s important to understand the differences of each product so you can make a well-informed purchase decision.
To start, the first two toaster ovens we described (the TSCLTRDG1 Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven and the TSCLTVCT2 Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven) are just toaster ovens and they do not offer an air frying feature like the third and fourth models listed.
However, they do offer just as many, if not more, functions.
The main difference between the first two models is that the TSCLTVCT2 Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven has a cool touch feature and an additional function of bread proofing.
The cool touch feature is important for the busy, multi-tasking chefs or the people who have small kitchens because it will help avoid burns, and it also has a cool-to-touch handle so you don’t need to wear an oven mitt when checking on the food.
The bread proof function lets the dough rise and ferment properly for baking, so if you’re not enthusiastic about baking bread, then this function may not be needed.
The first model (TSCLTRDG1 Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven) does have a bigger glass window so you can better keep an eye on your food, and it’s also smaller and lighter weight.
The Cool Touch Toaster oven is roughly $140 more expensive than the standard Countertop Toaster Oven.
The latter two models (the TSCLTRDG1-AF Performance Convection Toaster Oven with Air Fryer and the TSCLTRDG3-AF Precision Toaster Oven with Air Fry Option) are for the buyer who wants an air fryer and toaster oven in one.
The big difference between these toaster ovens/air fryers is that the first one has 11 cooking functions, while the second one only has eight cooking functions.
They are similar in size and weight, so you will pay roughly $70 extra for the Performance toaster oven and air fryer to get the additional functions of dehydrate, reheat, and warm.
You’ll also get a three-year warranty with the Performance Toaster Oven and Air Fryer versus a one-year warranty with the Precision Toaster Oven and Air Fryer.
6. Summary
In conclusion, the buyer should choose between the third and forth models listed (the TSCLTRDG1-AF Performance Convection Toaster Oven with Air Fryer and the TSCLTRDG3-AF Precision Toaster Oven with Air Fry Option) if they are keen on having the ability to air fry.
This cooking technique has become more popular as a health-conscious way to eat fried food with less fat, and often times air fryers will take up a lot of counter space and will cost you extra money to purchase separately.
So, if you’d like to air fry, you should decide how much you’re willing to pay for that extra function since one of them only offers eight functions total, and the other offers 11.
If you don’t need all 11 functions, the Precision Toaster Oven and Air Fryer would be a good choice.
As for those who can live without the air frying capability, the first two models would be great choices.
However, the Cool Touch Toaster Oven is the most expensive so if you are careful in the kitchen and aren’t worried about getting burnt or the countertop oven emitting too much heat, then the standard TSCLTRDG1 Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven would be a good choice.
Additionally, if the most important factor for you is affordability, then you should choose between the TSCLTRDG1 Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven and the TSCLTRDG3-AF Precision Toaster Oven with Air Fry Option since they are the least expensive.
7. Comparison Table
Calphalon Quartz Heat Countertop Oven |
Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven |
Calphalon Performance Convection Toaster Oven/Air Fryer |
Calphalon Precision Toaster Oven/Air Fryer |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brand |
Calphalon |
Calphalon |
Calphalon |
Calphalon |
Model |
TSCLTRDG1 |
TSCLTVCT2 |
TSCLTRDG1-AF |
TSCLTRDG3-AF |
Color |
Dark Stainless Steel |
Dark Stainless Steel |
Dark Stainless Steel |
Dark Stainless Steel |
Power |
1,400 watts |
1,400 watts |
1,400 watts |
1,400 watts |
Voltage |
120 |
120 |
N/A |
N/A |
Warranty |
3-year |
3-year |
3-year |
1 year |
Temp range and step |
150 – 450 degrees |
90 – 450 degrees |
Max 450 degrees |
150 – 450 degrees |
Time (min-max and step) |
Max 60 minutes |
Max 4 hours |
Max 60 minutes |
Max time setting is 2 hours |
Auto shut Off Time |
60 minutes |
|||
Interior Dimensions |
12.5 x 13.0 x 4.47 inch |
12 L, 13.75 W, 8.75 H inches |
12.5″ x 13″ x 4.47″ |
12.5″ x 13″ x 4.47″ |
Exterior Dimensions |
18.7 x 15.8 x 11.6 inch |
21.6 L x 20.3 W x 15.8 H inches |
18.7″ x 15.8″ x 11.6″ |
18.7″ x 15.8″ x 11.6″ |
Non Stick Interior (Yes/No) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Interior Material Type (Stainless Steel etc) |
Stainless Steel |
Stainless Steel |
Stainless Steel |
Stainless Steel |
Interior Cubic Foot |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0.88 cubic ft |
Capacity: # toast bread slices |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Interior Light (Yes/No) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Weight |
14.8 lbs |
36 lbs |
21.7 lbs |
21.6 lbs |
Rack Positions (1, 2,3,4) |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Rack size |
N/A |
N/A |
||
Functions |
||||
Auto shut Off |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Air Fry |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Bake |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Broil |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Warm |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Toast |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dehydration |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Rotisserie |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Includes |
||||
Oven Rack |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Baking Pan |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Air Fryer Rack |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Crumb Tray |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Pizza Pan |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Wire Rack |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dehydrate Rack |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Does this get really hot around the oven? |
Yes |
No. The cool touch exterior keeps it 75% cooler. |
||
Cleaning |
Non-stick interior makes cleaning easy |
Non-stick interior makes cleaning easy |
Easy cleaning with non-stick interior and trays |
Spot or wipe clean with warm, soapy water |
Fan noise |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Yes, can be loud. |
Racks and Dip tray Dishwasher Safe |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dual Voltage (Yes/No) |
No |
|||
Cord length |
