Rod oven from old toaster oven???

Question

I have an old toaster oven that I was about to put out on the curb for any taker, but I got to thinking -- could I scavenge the heating rods and thermostat to use in a rod oven? (Yes, the rods and thermostat work; it's the door switch that keeps being balky, plus the door handle keeps falling off.) I thought about cutting the top off a freon gas container (I can get them free from a friend in the HVAC business) and lining it with some suitable insulation (any suggestions?).

What do you think? I have to say that I won't be doing this anytime soon, but is it worth taking the time to extract the components from the toaster oven?

Andy

R. Zimmerman · Accepted Answer

It sounds like a good plan.  Having the thermostat is most important forgood storage.  with just a light bulb you either have too much heat or notenough and are continually compensating.    I would think just regular glass fibre insulation would be good enough.RandyI have an old toaster oven that I was about to put out on the curb for anytaker, but I got to thinking -- could I scavenge the heating rods andthermostat to use in a rod oven? (Yes, the rods and thermostat work; it'sthe door switch that keeps being balky, plus the door handle keeps fallingoff.) I thought about cutting the top off a freon gas container (I can getthem free from a friend in the HVAC business) and lining it with somesuitable insulation (any suggestions?).What do you think? I have to say that I won't be doing this anytime soon,but is it worth taking the time to extract the components from the toasteroven?Andy

Martin H. Eastburn · Answer

Yes, but caution. Many of the Chinese - and who isn't now days... don't use 'Cal rod' technology - that is the heater is conducting not insulating. So a heater should be in a tube with standoffs - isolated from the rods but heat conducting.

I'm going to use 1 or two electric range small burner - I want to say - have to measure - they are 500 watt each. That is - once hot. Metal pans don't short out on them! Nor do rods. They are just bulky and larger - but I figure mount it in a table - set the can on the stove! I think I'll run the unit with SCR / Triac - control in an enclosure. Hum - small oven with a box of rods inside... - maybe racks - Oh heck - think apartment electric oven!

Martin Martin Eastburn @ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net NRA LOH & Endowment Member NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder

Andrew H. Wakefield wrote:

Rod oven from old toaster oven???

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