The average electric or gas oven is far too large for most cooking tasks, so why heat all that empty space? Whereas a conventional electric oven consumes over 3 kilowatts of electricity, Cuisinart’s TOB-195 convection toaster oven sips a svelte 1500 watts and reaches temperature much more quickly. And rather than being delegated to the drudgery of toast, the Cuisinart’s relatively large size (.6 cubic feet) allows you to cook such items as whole chickens and 12 in. pizzas.

Image courtesy of Cuisinart

According to Cuisinart, the TOB-195 boasts stainless steel front panels, Pizza/Bake, Broil, Toast and Convection functions, touchpad controls and automatic shutoff.

Slow your electric meter’s spin by using the Cuisinart for virtually all your baking needs.

As kitchens downsize, the current line of massive, current-sucking refrigerator-freezers will be replaced by smaller, more eco-friendly units. The Integra line from Bosch takes things a step further by integrating refrigerators, freezers, and wine coolers into the cabinetry.

Image Courtesy of Bosch Appliances

The Integra range includes 24 and 30 in refrigerators, 18, 24, and 30 in. freezers, 36 in. refrigerators with bottom freezers as well as 18 and 24 in. wine coolers. The buyer can choose a stainless steel finish or a custom panel of his or her choice. All are 70 in. in height and are Energy Star qualified. Most of all, integrating the Integra line into your new or remodeled kitchen will create a modern, custom look with minimum footprint.

Let’s hope more appliance manufacturers queue in on America’s trend toward smaller, more manageable appliances.