Mark Thorson wrote:
> Steve Freides wrote:
>
>> It only makes sense that a uni-tasker like a 2-slice toaster does that
>> single job better than a multi-tasker like a toaster oven. I'm with
>> Alton Brown and don't like uni-taskers in my small kitchen so we have
>> only the toaster oven and not the toaster.

To me the efficiency issue is use of the ever limited countertop space.
A toaster oven has a larger footprint so it has a strong need for many
other uses or it ends up migrating under the counter, then onto the
shelves, out into the gargage, maybe even eventually to the gargage
sale. Every kitchen gadget has a trajectory like that finally ending up
in any of those locations. Very few keep earning a space on the counter
year after year.

> That logic only applies to stuff you don't do
> very often. If you eat toast every day, having
> the proper tool for the job makes sense.

Agreed. Specialized and generalized tools both work at their own times.