Double duty small appliances that make life easier

When you have limited space in your kitchen, you get very selective about the types of small appliances you bring home. If it’s a toaster oven, you want that toaster oven to do more than just toast your bread and bagels. If it’s a microwave, you want it to do more than reheat your food.

Even if you have all the space in the world for small appliances, having multi-purpose appliances that can bake, warm, air fry, or even dehydrate is a great idea. Here are three I’ve tested out that do more than you can imagine.

Choose a toaster oven with Air Fry

Air fry is one of the best ways to cook food, and I had no idea how amazing it is to air fry everything until I brought home the Cuisinart AirFryer Toaster Oven. This 0.6 cu.ft toaster has a menu you scroll through and your choices include toast, bake, proof, pizza, and dehydrate. I proofed and baked up a loaf of bread in it, so I was a huge fan before I even tried to Air Fry.

With the Air Fryer you can cook frozen french fries, chicken strips, wings, snacks, and vegetables. One of my favourite ways to use Air Fry is crisping up soggy french fries after they’ve gone cold on the way home from the restaurant. I’ve also started using the dehydrator to dry out herbs and flowers from my yard.

It’s hard to believe one small device can do so much, but the Cuisinart AirFryer Toaster Oven is a true double duty small appliance.

Microwaves that can do more

Why choose a microwave that can just warm up your leftovers when you can choose one that doubles as a convection oven? The Breville Countertop 3-in-1 convection microwave can warm, bake, and air fry, and it has such a compact design you won’t have to make room for it on your counter.

If the family is coming over and you are making a big meal, the Breville 3-in-1 will double as your second oven for scalloped potatoes or a casserole. With convection bake you can cook everything from a roast to cookies, and it also grills via the Fast Combi mode that uses convection oven, grilling, and microwave to cook your food faster.

In the past, your microwave would warm food but things like french fries, chicken strips, or pizza would be slightly soggy. With the Breville 3-in-1 you can Air fry your crispy favourites, even if they are leftovers, and they will come out crispy and delicious.

I tested out the Breville 3-in-1 and it was easy to use, cooked food without any guesswork, and the soft-close door meant I never had to hear the microwave slam shut anymore.

Your griddle isn’t just for pancakes

I’ve had a long sheet griddle for years, but it wasn’t until I tested out the Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe that I realized it was time for an upgrade. Why? To start, the Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe is a double-duty small appliance with plates that are smooth on one side and a grill on the other. You can flip the plates over to use it as a full smooth griddle, full grill, or half-smooth, half grill if you are cooking pancakes and bacon.

Even better? The Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe is also a panini press. With an adjustable lid, you can set it so it stays partially open for open-faced panini, or close the lid right over the grill for delicious grilled cheese.

I had no idea one appliance could do so much. I cooked everything from pancakes to crepes to hamburgers and steak, and then whipped up 4 paninis at one time for the family.

These three double duty small appliances are so versatile they will be your go-to every day. Check out all of the small appliances at Best Buy and see what else you can find that will take on more than one kitchen task.