Toasters can be a great way for seniors to easily and safely prepare meals for themselves (especially with a toaster oven).
Allowing a senior to cook meals safely through the use of a toaster oven can build confidence and help support independent living. For some seniors, a reliable toaster oven can be a major defining factor in helping them live independently and allowing them to feed themselves.
There are many different toasters available on the market today. Each one of these modern appliances has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important for seniors need to choose a toaster that fits their lifestyles best. If you have an elderly loved one who is struggling with cooking at home, consider investing in a toaster oven for their home.
In this article, we’ll show you how to find a toaster that’s safe for older seniors and what features to seek out in a senior-safe toaster!
Features to Look For in a Toaster for Seniors
Auto-Shut Off
Most seniors will feel more comfortable with a toaster that has an auto shut-off feature. This means that the toaster oven or toaster will turn off once the alarm bell goes off and the cooking time has been completed. Luckily, the vast majority of toasters include this feature.
Removable Crumb Tray (for Easy Cleaning)
Consider looking for toaster ovens with a removable crumb tray, as this can make a toaster oven a bit easier to clean. Regular cleaning of the crumb tray is essential, as a build up of crumbs can increase fire risks.
Loud Alarm
Seniors who are hard of hearing will appreciate a loud alarm that sounds when the toast or other food item is finished.
Large Displays, Buttons, and Dials
Most seniors will benefit from toasters with simple, large-display screens and buttons. Avoid knobs or settings that require hand dexterity – especially if a senior struggles with arthritis.
Generally, you’ll want to find a balance of functionality and simplicity, with a focus on features a senior will benefit from, while avoiding extraneous extras that will only make an appliance more complicated. The same holds true when shopping for other senior-friendly appliances like microwaves or coffee makers!
Auto-Eject Wire Rack
An auto-eject wire rack eliminates the need for a senior to mess and adjust the wire rack of a toaster oven themselves, which can sometimes be a challenging activity for those with dexterity issues.
This style of wire rack also allows seniors to remove their food from the toaster oven without fear of getting burned, as they won’t have to place their hands inside the hot toaster oven.
Max Timer Length
Seniors who plan on preparing their entire meal with a toaster oven will likely want to opt for a toaster oven that has a 60-minute timer option.
Many standard toaster ovens don’t allow you to cook something for this long. But, for those that will want to prepare dishes that require long cook times, a long 60-minute timer is greatly beneficial. One could still use a 30-minute timer twice, but a 60-minute timer is certainly more convenient.
Large Roll-Top Door
A roll-top door allows a door to roll up and out of the way, providing a larger and safer door opening for a senior to navigate.
Convection Cooking
Convection cooking is a special feature found in some toaster ovens. Convection cooking uses an internal fan to more evenly distribute heat, resulting in faster and more even cooking, which can be especially beneficial for seniors who are at higher risk of undercooked or overcooked food.
Simplicity vs Multi-Purpose
Some toasters (specifically toaster ovens) can offer a wide variety of settings that will allow the toaster to function as a mini-oven, offering an easier way for seniors to cook food, especially for solo individuals.
However, if a senior is just looking to toast their bread in the morning, you’ll want to opt for simplicity over a dizzying array of options.
Best Toasters for Seniors
1. Hamilton Beach Digital Countertop Toaster Oven
Hamilton Beach Digital Toaster
A solid all-in-one toaster oven with an LCD screen and decent-sized contrasting buttons
The affordable, reliable Hamilton Beach Digital Countertop Toaster Oven is a great addition to any senior’s kitchen. Boasting 5 settings (toast, convection, oven broil and toast and pizza), this toaster oven will make it simple to prepare breakfast, lunches and snacks for just one or two!
The convection feature is especially beneficial for seniors who regularity prefer to prepare their meals with the help of a toaster oven.
With a large display screen that displays clear information in an easy-on-the-eyes LCD format, seniors will be able to determine how their food is cooking without confusion. The toaster oven offers only a few easy-to-press buttons that shouldn’t give seniors much trouble.
A convenient roll top door with a wide opening provides easy access to prepared food without fear of getting burned! This model also offers 2 rack positions so an elderly senior can conveniently cook a wider variety of foods on multiple levels simultaneously.
Pros
- Great all-in-one toaster oven for cooking small meals
- Roll-up top door makes hot food easy to handle
- Clear display screen with large, simple buttons
- Includes 60 minute timer with ready bell and auto shut-off
Cons
- Some screen items might be a bit challenging for seniors to see (although it works fine for most users)
2. Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster
The Hamilton Beach Extra-wide slots toaster is perfect for seniors who primarily use their toaster to toast thick bread or bagels. It offers an easy-to-use toast shade selector, allowing you to choose from several toast settings for the perfect browning.
It has an auto shutoff feature and cancel button, which allows you to relax a bit more while you’re toasting your breakfast.
The extra-long slots make it easier to retrieve your toast without burning your hands, and this toaster is even designed to push up bread and toast higher so that they’re safer to grab.
This toaster’s cord storage area allows for easy clean up, allowing you to easily coil up the cord and store the toaster out of the way when company is over. All in all, its a great basic budget option for seniors who are looking for something simple with minimal functions!
Pros
- Affordable, budget-friendly toaster
- Includes a quick shut-off button for added safety
Cons
- Basic functions, not great for much other than toasting bread items
3. Dash 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Easy Toaster
Dash Toaster
Compact, wide-slot toaster oven with retro colors
For those looking for something simple and lightweight, the Dash 2-Slice Extra Wide Slot Easy Toaster is our top pick. Not only does it offer two extra-wide slots, it also has five browning levels (including defrost).
However, this toaster’s main claim to fame is its cute, compact design. Weighing just 2 lbs, this small toaster is perfect for compact kitchens or RVs.
This toaster also boasts cool touch technology to minimize burn risks, along with a handy slide-out crumb tray and wipeable outer surface for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Ultra compact design works great in small kitchens and RVs
- Trendy, fun color options
Cons
- Only suitable for basic bread and bagel toasting
- A few users report a strong plastic smell
4. BLACK+DECKER 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Countertop Toaster Oven
Black + Decker Toaster Oven
An all-in-one toaster oven with four cooking functions and an extra-wide interior
The Black + Decker toaster oven is another great option for seniors who prepare a lot of meals in their toaster oven. Engineered with an extra-wide interior specially designed to fit most 9″x13 inch pans, this toaster oven is incredibly multi-functional.
It can even fit a 12 inch pizza!
This toaster oven boasts convection heating as well as four cooking functions (baking, broiling, toasting and warming) making this a true all-in-one for seniors who don’t want to deal with a standard-sized oven. With maximum temperature of 450 Celsius and wattage of approximately 1500 watts, it works in nearly every standard kitchen.
Pros
- Large, easy-to-turn knobs
- Fits 9×13″ pans
- Includes convection heating
Cons
- Some type on the device is fairly small
5. Cuisinart Airfryer Convection Toaster Oven
Cuisinart Airfryer Convection Toaster
Tech-heavy toaster oven with bonus functions like air fry and convection baking
The Cuisinart Airfryer Convection Toaster Oven is a great splurge item for seniors who want a toaster oven that can do it all – and then some!
This tech-heavy toaster oven has 7 functions in one, with the ability to air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, and toast.
It features four simple knobs that are easy to turn, with small but clear writing.
With 15.5″ x 16″x 14″ and .06 cubic feet of non-stick interior, it offers plenty of cooking space along with an interior oven light. In layman’s terms, this means that this toaster oven can handle six slices of bread, 3lbs of chicken wings, a 12-inch pizza, and more!
This feature-packed toaster oven also features an adjustable thermostat and 60 minute timer/auto shutoff. It also comes with an oven rack, baking pan, and an air fryer rack/basket.
Pros
- Seven functions, including air-dry and convection baking
- 60 minute timer and auto shut-off
Cons
- May be too complicated or feature-overkill for seniors who just want to toast their bread
- May be too large for smaller kitchen spaces
Seniors with limited mobility or dexterity may find it difficult or frightening to cook on a stovetop. A sturdy toaster oven can do everything from baking cakes and pies to broiling chicken wings, allowing a senior to confidently cook for themselves.
For those who just need help with snacks, a standard toaster is just the thing for bagels and slices of morning toast.
Do you have a toaster oven that you use to cook meals? What features do you find most important in a senior-friendly toaster? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Last update on 2022-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
