Do you have a toaster oven on the kitchen counter? Heat shield needed?

[GGD]

3d wrote:
Damn, so my wife was right :X

That's always the correct response, doesn't matter what the question or answer is.

[Robert M]

Davester,

I don't know about the toaster ovens you have but they aren't necessarily zero clearance items. A quick glance at some of the manuals provided by Black and Decker for their toaster ovens dictates allowing a clearance of X amount of space.

Some of the newer models are designed so that you must allow clearance. For example, the Black and Decker Convection oven my wife and I have has a doojigger on the back of it that sticks out at least two or so inches. So, you have no choice but to allow clearance.

I'd absolutely allow for clearance even if the manual doesn't suggest it in the safety precautions. It's common sense.

Robert

[3d]

Interesting discussion. Thanks guys!

Found this online in the automotive department. Never knew it existed. Maybe adhere some of this on the underside of the upper cabinet above the toaster oven.

http://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Tec-13575-A...sim_auto_1
$18.75

Aluminized Heat Barrier is made up of woven silica with a flexible aluminized finish; the highly reflective surface of the material is capable of withstanding radiant temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit

The adhesive backed composite construction material can easily be applied to any surface or wrapped around a hose or wire to make a clean professional appearance

Some Typical uses include: firewall, hoods, hoses, doors and anywhere you want to control radiant heat

[Z]

We've got ours enclosed in a small space, and have yet to burn down the kitchen (though we've tried, I promise.) That said, I would make sure that you aren't going to inadvertently melt the electrical cord if the outlet is directly behind the toaster oven. I saw that happening at work one day, and quickly used a safety sticky to alert the office. Cord wasn't melted through to the wires, but the sheathing was certainly deformed.

[davester]

Robert M wrote:

Some of the newer models are designed so that you must allow clearance. For example, the Black and Decker Convection oven my wife and I have has a doojigger on the back of it that sticks out at least two or so inches. So, you have no choice but to allow clearance.

I'd absolutely allow for clearance even if the manual doesn't suggest it in the safety precautions. It's common sense.

Robert, I think we're talking semantics. The doojigger is part of the toaster oven and makes it unnecessary to allow further clearance, hence it is a zero clearance appliance (at least in that direction). If the instruction manual says to allow clearance to the top and/or sides, then you are correct that it is not a zero clearance oven. However, allowing clearance in addition to that required by the manual is not necessary.

I agree with your common sense recommendation, though assuming that the 6" clearance specified in the OP is within the bounds of the owners manual installation instructions I don't think there's anything to worry about other than warming up the foods in the upper cabinet.

[RAMd®d]

Not for the circumstances you describe.

As mentioned, I'd keep plastic clear, but that's about it. I've used a toaster and toaster oven (just not for toast) under a cabinet for years, and haven't even discolored the bottom of the cabinet. Not that anybody would see that anyway.

The clearance between my toaster and the cabinets is almost exactly the same as yours.

You could probably get a toaster oven (probably not a toaster) hot enough, long enough to damage the bottom of a cabinet, but I wouldn't bother eating whatever you were cooking.

This presupposes you already took the battery out of your smoke alarm.

[mikebw]

Only thing I've melted with my toaster oven was a plastic bag that got left on top. It said SAFEWAY for a few years until I finally got it cleaned off.

[Robert M]

Davester,

Definitely not talking semantics. I've enough experience with these small kitchen appliances to say without a doubt people should allow more clearance than the manual dictates. If this means going beyond the manufacturer's recommendations, so be it.

Consider... Why would Black and Decker build the doojigger onto the back of my convection oven? Clearly, they felt clearance was necessary and that it was the only way to ensure people allowed for it. For me, it's not an issue since I have a tile backsplash. That's not necessarily the case with everyone's kitchen.

Robert

[srekstad]

My cabinet was so heat blistered I started this product line just for that. Please take a look: Thanks.

ToasterShield