Fat Cat Chef

I recently cleaned out the office microwave and remember why I bought a toaster oven when my old microwave passed on to the big kitchen in the sky.

Our toaster oven is pretty damn easy to clean; in fact, we don't have to clean it very often, because the food cooks with the gentle warmth of heat, instead of the crackling nuclear bombardment that results in the inevitable splatters and spills.

So if you're thinking of adding another gadget to your kitchen arsenal, think long and hard about the trusted toaster oven, it's much more versatile, not to mention a much healthier way to warm -- and bake -- food.

And don't use the "it's fast" excuse to justify a microwave. For one thing, you're not that busy, get over yourself.

For another, there are plenty of other things you can do in the kitchen while you wait for your food to warm up, it's not like a microwave is giving you tons of free time.

:: Fat Cat Tip ::
Next time you're in your favorite kitchen or home goods store, wander over to the appliance section and take a gander at the toaster ovens.

You don't have to buy one... yet. But check them out, play with the buttons and envision adding this new addition to your kitchen family, especially if your microwave outlives its useful life.

Also, don't throw away your aluminum foil, you know the stuff you use to wrap up cold pizza and what not. It makes a great liner for the bottom of your toaster oven, and even on the toaster oven tray.

:: More Fat Stuff ::
Resources for Toaster Ovens at Epinions, Amazon, DealTime and Consumer Search.