Customer Reviews

Hamilton Beach 31199XR Countertop Convection Oven

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

We purchased this one after reading the reviews here of several models. I called the mfr to learn the differences between the 31199XR and others, and was told 31199XR lacks the rotisserie components. That's fine with us as we would never use them! It also lowered the price quite a bit. If you do not plan to use the rotisserie, buy this model!

We bought it because the thermostat on our very old range died, we can't find a replacement, and we are planning to remodel the entire kitchen next summer---so we did not want to buy a range just now.

The convection seems to speed up browning of items but not necessarily cooking all the way through, so you have to be careful --- we browned a couple of pot pies last night more than we wanted to! We are still getting used to using the convection feature.

The oven bakes everything in the same time as usual with a full size range. The difference is in the preheat time---it preheats way faster than the large stove. Also, we use the convection feature to speed the preheating phase and then turn it to Bake for the actual cooking. We have an oven thermometer hanging from the rack.

I roasted a 7 lb turkey breast in it shortly after it arrived--everything perfect. I did have to put foil on the bird partway through cooking, to keep it from overbrowning, but I do that for the full size oven, too.

The top does get hot but not as blazing hot as some reviews indicate. Ours is placed well away from cabinet bottoms, other appliances, etc. All of our existing casseroles and pans will fit inside except a 13 x 9" baking dish. I have a lot of Corningware pyroceram and even the large oval French White casserole fits (rather snugly).

You have to keep the inside spotlessly clean---these electric ovens *will* start fires if you leave a lot of grease and crumbs inside. The bottom pulls all the way out, for cleaning in the sink -- that gray thing in the photo is the handle that runs along the edge. The racks also come out, and when it is cool you can clean the inside easily. If you bake something that drips, like yams, put a piece of foil under it to make cleanup easier.

Someone in another review said he burned his hand opening the door--- I place my hand over, not under, the handle when opening the door and I do not get burned---I also have in my possession a number of potholders, and I use them! : -- )

We are very pleased with this purchase and to tell the truth, we are planning to continue using it after the remodel. It's great for baking something for one or two. I highly recommend it.

I have the Hamilton Beach model #31197 which is a tad bigger than this model, although they are both large. In mine, you can cook a whole 5 lb whole chicken. So far I've baked 3 whole chickens, one pot roast, grilled salmon, and 2 cakes. It does a beautiful job. It takes 1.5 hours for the chicken to brown but it comes out very delicious. AND YOU DONT HAVE TO BEND DOWN TO OPEN AN OVEN DOOR TO CHECK YOUR FOOD. YOU CAN SEE IT STANDING UP. One important note: USE AN OVEN BAG when baking your meats (especailly chicken) and you'll never have to worry about messing up the pans or splatter getting on the oven walls. I hear people complain. You wont find tall counter top ovens like these in the stores, so I say "BUY IT". You might want to check out the model I bought which looks just like this one but is a tad bigger (model#31197).

I LOVE this oven, I've had it before!! Its PERFECT for Breads,muffins,cupcakes, cookies, etc!!!BUT, I DON'T use it for ANY greasy foods....Only because the oil (from the meats,chickens,etc)splatters, and SLOWLY gets stuck on the fan part(convection setting), and after a few months,the fan for the Convection oven setting slowly stops rotating at the speed it should.Its difficult to open up, and clean off the blades to the fan also.So, but as far as the oven goes, its great, for ALL PASTRIES!!! Cooks the breads, etc, evenly, and perfectly everytime!!! Pizza works very well in here too! We make our own 12" pizzas and use this oven ALL the time!! As far as the shipping company goes,"CEVA", IT'S AWFUL,AWFUL,AWFUL.*** Amazon should change the shipping company! They were LATE, after I waited way past my delivery time, they told me they were running late, and i had to wait a few hours more. they are NOT punctual at all, and they do not ring the bell.they leave the item at the front door!! No Good!!!

I've been wanting a second oven for a long time but have balked at the $2500 - $3000 price (before installation). I thought this might make a great supplement, but it's more than that. Don't confuse this with old-fashioned toaster ovens. We've used it a lot for the typical small re-heating jobs, and it works fine. On Thanksgiving, my wife tried to bake some brown-and-serve rolls - they got a little too brown on the top. Turns out she hadn't turn on the convection feature. So I tried making some cornbread that bakes in a 9x9 dish. The dish fit with room to spare, and with the convection turned on, the cornbread came out just as good as if I had baked it in our regular oven. My guess is that we'll use this oven a lot.

I don't plan to use the rotisserie or try to roast chicken after what some people have said about the convection fan getting gummed up and failing.

Bottom line - as most have said, this is a great oven. The problem is in the shipping.

Notes about the shipping: I have been an Amazon Prime customer for a couple of years now. My wife and I decided to order this oven the week before Thanksgiving so we'd have a second oven to help cook the big meal. Shipping was supposed to be the standard two day deal, and it was shipped via ABF - I'm not sure if this is the same company that others have previously complained about. On November 24, the day after we ordered it, the shipment status was updated to "Lost by carrier". It finally made it to our metro area on Dec. 1, at which point the tracking was updated to "Received shipment - did not receive paperwork," and it was marked undeliverable. I contacted Amazon, and they said if it ever arrives, I can refuse shipment or return it at Amazon's expense. We wound up buying this at Kohl's after the one from Amazon was marked as lost in transit - it was even on sale for a lower price than Amazon offered.

This oven is just right for one person or two with no children. It takes minimal counter space & does a good job toasting, broiling, & baking. The convection (air circulation) during baking shortens the baking time, thus using less electric. This oven looks good & is easy to keep clean thanks to its stainless & glass exterior. The rack slide guides could be deeper to prevent possible accidents, & the aluminum pan that's included is somewhat flimsey. In all, I'm very happy with my oven, & I feel it's a super value considering its low price vs. its intended use. Take appropriate precautions if small children are around when the unit is on since the outside does get pretty hot.

People are so conditioned to seeing a huge traditional oven/stove in the kitchen that we put a white cabinet between our other cabinets to give the "look" of a traditional oven. However, my visitors are receptive to the fact that this is the ONLY baking appliance I own - I don't make Thanksgiving turkey, so what is the point? It sits on the kitchen cart (not sandwiched between cabinets or taking counter space) to heat frozen food, bake cookies and breakfast casserole, crisp garlic bread, roast red pepper - anything your traditional oven does and more. I LOVE, LOVE the convection part! Cooking thoroughly in half the time (really-keep an eye on it at first) and if cookies are left in too long, they don't burn (could get a little dry, but that's my fault)! I opted for the one with two racks for double the cooking - and you can do that with convection; did not find a need for the rotisserie model as I don't cook meat. $100 or thereabouts - worth way more in functionality and space-saving to me.

After not finding a large toaster oven anywhere in town, we ordered the Hamilton Beach 31199XR. It was delivered in 7 days and is exactly what we wanted. If it were just an inch or 2 wider, that would be even better but it is twice as tall inside as our last oven. We've roasted a 4 1/2 # chicken and 4 # beef roast and it cooks perfectly. Really happy with it.

This is a wonderful oven BUT this model (the 31199XR) does NOT come with a rotisserie feature as advertised. I notified Amazon of this, but so far they haven't revised their description. Anyway, it does a super job with baking, broiling and convection! My experience with the shipping was a breeze ... they called and arranged for a drop off time, and were both friendly and prompt.

13 x 9" will not fit into the oven

the temperatue is not accurate

but you can work it with a extra termometer

but for everything else its great, it cooks evenly and doesnt take up so much space

This is our second large size toaster oven like this. We love it because you can cook so much in it and not have to use your big oven. This is especially great during hot summer months!
Our oven actually went out in our home for almost 2 years and we couldn't afford to repair or replace it so our toaster oven was used nearly every night during that time. It is still working but we just moved and decided to get a new one because of all the use on the old one. Plan on selling the old one in a garage sale.