Need a toaster oven

[wolf creek knives]

When I stabilize wood I use a Camp Chef stove to cook off the cactus juice used to stabilize the wood. However I've got a ton of wood that I need to dry in order to stabilize it. The problem is I can't leave the gas on all night if I want to expedite the somewhat wet wood to dry. So I'm looking into a "new" toaster oven, the ones at the Salvation Army just don't cut it. I've looked on Amazon and seen probably a million (a bit of an exaggeration) ovens to the point my eyes have crossed. So my question is, if you use a toaster oven, what brand works for you? I'm looking for an oven that I can leave on all night if needed, obviously at a very low temp.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[duncsuss]

Perhaps convert a thrift store mini-fridge into a low power kiln? Detach the compressor power, unscrew the button that shuts off the light when the door closes, and drill a small ventilation hole at the top to allow wet/warm air to escape. I might have forgotten some of the steps - there are how-tos around on the web.

It's a much safer option than a toast oven that might get way hotter than is prudent.

 

[Ray-CA]

I've been using an air fryer instead of a toaster oven. The temperature is much easier to control and you can set it for longer times.

 

[d_bondi]

I haven't used it yet, but I picked one up for $10 on FaceBook Marketplace. It is big enough for 2 racks, has convection (fan to circulate the air) and a ON position without the time.

 

[naynay]

I found a toaster oven on FB Marketplace from a local bar. It was $10 which is less than what the "thrift" stores want and it needed to be cleaned so bad that she actually took $5 for it. I paid $7 for a can of easy off and I cleaned the toaster oven up. It's a named brand and has a timer on it. I don't think brand is everything, as long as the oven is in good shape and if it's been heavily used, give it a good clean before you use it for your pen blank stabilizing, etc. I use it to heat up molds for casting and will use it for stabilizing my mom's cremains when I cast pen memorial penblanks. I almost just purchased the cheapest new one I could find at walmart but I'm really trying to purchase things like toaster ovens from garage sales, thrift stores.

 

[jttheclockman]

I bought mine from Walmart as a dent sale. been so long I can not remember what I paid but was not much.

 

[tomtedesco]

I purchased an oven from Good Will store and it turned out to be trash. Walmart had one for under 25 dollars and it is working great, don't trust used ones. IMHO

 

[egnald]

I bought a very cheap one from Walmart, but instead of trusting the built in temperature controller and trying to set it with a knob, I drilled a hole in the top and I plug it into an Inkbird Digital Temperature Controller and set the temperature dial to maximum. After it heats up and stabilizes for a bit the Inkbird controls the temperature to just a couple of degrees of what I set it at. Inkbird is common in the home brewing hobby, but there are also some similar ones that are made for controlling the temperature for pet reptile enclosures. I think the Inkbird cost me about $25 on Amazon. - Dave

 

[Mortalis]

I bought a Cuisinart from Walmart on sale. I use a temperature probe to tell me what the temp is inside. The dial on oven is actually pretty close and the buffer zone for the heat is about 10 degrees, 5 degrees on each side of the set point. I marked the dial and the temperature plate when I was able to maintain set temp (IIRC 195ºF)

 

[SabertoothBunny]

The biggest recommendation I can say regarding a toaster over is that you would want one that can be turned on and left on, that doesn't shut off once the timer goes off. You would need to be more aware but at the same time the ones that shut off at the timer turn off the heat even and if you cannot get to it for a couple of minutes you have to start the reheating process all over again if you need more time in heat.

 

[greenacres2]

There are dental labs all over the country--old analog lab ovens can be picked up pretty cheap (if it doesn't have to be shipped). Lab ovens are much more stable and safer to use for extended runs than any toaster oven ever made. Much more efficient too--my old lab oven runs at like 4 amps--and weighs about 25 pounds. Once it's warmed up, holds a very stable temp. I paid $25 for it, and it was less than a 15 mile drive to pick up. (made that decision after 2 toaster oven fires in 3 years--they're just not made to run several hours with wood in them!!)

 

[woodwzrd]

I stopped using a toaster oven for drying wood after reading so many horror stories of them malfunctioning and burning garages down. I have switched to and highly recommend using a dehydrator. I have an Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator but you can pick up bigger Cabela's brand dehydrators on market place for around $50. They are much safer and work great. I set mine on the highest temp setting, which is 165, and check the weight of select blanks every 24 hours until they go 24 hours without loosing more weight.

The other, much safer, alternative to a toaster oven is a lab oven if you can find one at a reasonable price.

 

[montmill]

You mentioned needing something bigger than a toaster oven. Would an electric smoker possibly work? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cuisina...2603361?gQT=1&locale=en-US&source=shoppingads
The idea of a home made drying cabinet is a good one too.

Controls like David mentioned would be a great addition. Probably a big investment in time and dollars but it would be something you could use for a long time. With the amount of wood you go through I suspect you'd get your investment back quickly.

 

[Woodchipper]

Read where someone picked up a on old refrigerator and converted it to a kiln. 100W bulb at the bottom and a hole cut in the top to allow the warm air and moisture to escape. Make sure you don't cut into refrigerant lines.

 

[JohnU]

I use an electric smoker from Menards to dry and stabilize wood in metal pans so nothing drips down on the heating element. I leave it outside so there's no risk to the shop. I bought an oven thermometer to set inside to keep temp. because you can't trust the heat adjust dial to be correct.

 

[Mortalis]

When I stabilize wood I use a Camp Chef stove to cook off the cactus juice used to stabilize the wood. However I've got a ton of wood that I need to dry in order to stabilize it. The problem is I can't leave the gas on all night if I want to expedite the somewhat wet wood to dry.

Something you may not have considered. You can only dry as much wood at a time as you can then stabilize. Drying more than your stabilizing oven will hold presents its own problems with the overage needing to be dried again unless you can store it so it will not absorb relative humidity.

 

[egnald]

Mortalis makes an excellent point about drying more than you can stabilize. My solution to this has been to dry the wood in my external digitally controlled toaster oven and then when the wood is still warm (warm - not Hot), I vacuum seal them using my Foodsaver vacuum sealer to prevent any additional absorption of humidity from the atmosphere. Then I can choose bags of blanks to stabilize depending on my whim. - Dave

PS I really like John Underhill's setup and it is what I would go to if I ever got into stabilizing on a larger scale. I'ts pretty cool.

 

[WriteON]

Lab ovens are much more stable and safer to use for extended runs than any toaster oven ever made.

Good idea. Lab ovens are perfect. I would be uncomfortable with a toaster oven on all night or if I'm away from it. Used ovens.... eBay, maybe dental lab or dental supply, jewelry supply.
Edit ... not sure if mentioned. Can a microwave oven be used on lower power settings... might want to experiment with scrap.

 

[MRDucks2]

I have an old smoker I plan to try for the new shop. For storage I will use the locking handle storage tub with seals in the lid and a container of Damp-Rid in the tub with them.