When cooking a small quantity of food or reheating a dish, do you simply pop the item in your electric oven? If so, you could cut your cooking cost in half by using a toaster oven instead.

If you are shopping for a toaster oven, there are varieties to choose from. In addition to conventional toaster ovens, there are some that use new technologies to improve the cooking process.

Some models use infrared light, which provides almost instant heating and speeds up toasting time by up to 40%.

Convection toaster ovens use a small fan to circulate hot air in the oven, allowing foods to cook more evenly. Models with quartz heating elements and reflective crumb trays cook food about 30% faster.

Take time to assess your needs and make a wise purchase.

• Make sure you have enough counter space. While there are models that mount underneath cabinets, countertop models can require a good amount of space, depending on their size and the safety clearance needed due to the heat produced.
• Think about your intended use. If you want to roast a four-pound chicken, you will need a larger model than one sized for a cheese melt.
• Decide if you want a broiler—most, but not all, models have it. The broiler is handy for cooking items like hamburgers and steaks.
• Make clean-up easier with a removable, slide-out crumb tray. Non-stick or continuous-clean interiors also make cleaning easier.
• Look for safety features. A bell timer and automatic shut-off can help prevent overcooked food and kitchen fires.

Follow the instructions that come with the toaster oven. Cooking times may vary from those specified for cooking in a conventional oven. Additionally, the instructions will provide important safety information.