Hamilton Beach 31197R Countertop Oven with Convection and Rotisserie

Comment: This is the second one of these ovens we have had. The first one was so handy we finally wore it out but it lasted 4 or 5 years with constant use. We have a large built in oven that is seldom ever used because of this oven being so handy and large enough for most meals, The convection feature cooks much faster and real well. I will buy a third one if this one ever wears out. I recomend it to anyone.

Comment: I bought this over a year ago to replace my other toaster oven that broke after less than a year. I use it most every day for making lunch (pizza bites, french fries etc.) and for dinner if it's small enough to fit in there. I rarely use my oven now so it saves us a ton on AC and on electricity to heat the big oven and it is so much quicker to get to temperature. We use the broiler most of the time but we have used the rotisserie quite a few times and it works great as well. It has been so handy to have an extra oven for the holidays as well. I love the two racks and the ability to put in a full size pizza. I'm not crazy about the pans that came with it (never use the broiler pan) but I do use the flat pans which are OK if you line them with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil. I bought some round Pyrex dishes that fit well in it and I use them all the time. My little boy loves his french fries and I love being able to give him crunchy fries without all the grease and mess not to mention within 10 min from frozen. Buy it if you have the counter space and can keep little hands away (it gets crazy hot on the top and sides) you won't regret this one!

Comment: Couldn't help but notice how the whole exterior quickly got too hot to touch. Little or no insulation inside meant it wasted a lot of heat; though if it's a cold day it's not really wasted, it's helping to heat your house.

I read some reviews claiming this oven burst into flames; well just how does metal and glass burn? Probably some people should stay away from hot, as well as sharp, objects.

Also read about "quartz" heating elements; it has regular heating elements. Other people should stay away from the "review" button.

Getting basic product info nowdays is like pulling teeth;
Interior: 12.5 inches deep, 12.5 inches wide, 10 inches between top and bottom heating elements, 1500 watts.
Exterior is about 19.5 inches wide, 14 inches high, 17 inches deep with the handle in front and some odd plastic hooks protruding from rear, the footpads are 10 inches apart front to back and 16 inches apart side to side. --This oven is going to make nearby objects hot.--

Nice, big, clear, glass door has me worried I'm going to ram a pan into it thinking it's open. An interior light would be nice at times but a flashlight works.

All the functions work properly though the lower rear heating elements glows a little fainter on the right few inches.

Comes with two 12.5"x12.5" pans and one grill that fits the pans, two slide-in grill racks, rotisserie forks/shaft and hot-chicken-removal thing that lifts each end of the shaft.

I'm not much for cooking so I can only say that this oven really beats the old microwave for cooking frozen pizzas and hot pockets; not quite as fast but the crusts now get crisp and firm instead of soft and doughy and I can do 2 pizzas or 6 hot pockets at a time.

Comment: We bought this Hamilton Beach Mode l31197 toaster oven about 2 years ago.
It worked OK until now when it wont heat.
The temperature control contacts are fried and parts are not available so it's now junk.
I hate having to throw out otherwise usable items that are not designed so they can be repaired and are engineered to last a bit beyond the warranty and hence end up as "throw away" scrap.
Very disappointing!!
I'll be wary of Hamilton Beach appliances from now on.

Comment: This is a very handy oven that works for me in the summer time when I don't want to run the big oven. This is my second purchase of this particular model. The first one lasted 5 years before the knob/thermostat went out. The performance outways the negative. Like that the shelves are adjustable and that you can fit two items in it at the same time. The other brands you could barely fit in one dish. Personally I'm a big fan of Hamilton Beach products and I would recomend this oven to anyone who really cooks.