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John of Avon Lake OH (06/18/08)
toaster oven toast timer never moved after being set all the way to dark. I took my toast out when I observed the color I wanted and did not notice that timer was not ticking. I didn't discover till 3 hours later that unit was till on dark toast when I could smell hot smells in the kitchen. I tested the timer after that and it seemed to be working ok.
No damages but unit sits on top of a stainless bread box and about 2 inches under a cabinet. The cabinet was warm and I doubt that any combustion would have occured but it is discomforting to have this happen.
R. of Meriden CT (06/15/08)
Major loud noise, followed by smoke coming from the right hand end of the device. No longer could move the ON lever at all. dismantled I found that the device switch off mechanism had failed, and the solenoid coil was fused to the central rod of the solenoid. We had it for many years and I guess it was just it's time. However, the MECHANISM OF FAILURE is alarming, and could have easily started a fire.
Unit is destroyed, but no other damage.
Jane of Tulsa OK (03/17/08)
I bought a B&D toaster oven a little over a year ago, to replace one that had served faithfully for years but finally given out. I loved that old oven and it performed great. With this new one, however, I had to return it within six months because the top heating elements quit working. Now about eight months after getting the replacement, the top heating elements have failed again. Obviously this is not a quality appliance, and I don't even want another B&D. I'll go buy another brand.
Since B&D won't refund me the purchase price, I am out the cost of the appliance (about $40) and the aggravation.
Julie of Richmond VA (02/17/08)
I am on my way to return the second Black&Decker Toast-R-Oven Countertop Oven/Broiler. When this appliance is turned on--either on the toaster, bake or broil setting--smoke pours from the back of the unit and smells like an electrical fire. Thank goodness I was near by in both cases to immediately unplug the unit.
While I suffered no damage, except the frustration of returning the item twice, I want to warn other consumers to avoid purchasing this product. It should be recalled and pulled from the shelves. Clearly, there are safety issues with this small appliance.
Harry of Canton OH (02/13/08)
I originally purchased a B&D 651 counter top oven for my wife as a coming home present after her hospitalization. The unit ran for almost 3 months before a switch failed. Called B&D and did the cut off the cord routine and got a replacement half the size of the original. Complained and got a second replacement, also much smaller, and complained again to finally receive a new 651. It lasted just over 2 months before failing for the same reason as #1. Called it in, did the power cord routine and got #3. It lasted just over 6 months before starting the same problem.
Every unit failed because of faulty switches in the temperature control portion of the unit. I am an electronics tech and decided to dis-assemble one of the failed switches to see if it could be repaired. (Can't find the part any where.) These units are trash as far as their switches are concerned. Black and Decker should get out of the business or find someone who can supply parts built to better specs.
This has cost me considerable time and frustration dealing with a company that doesn't even take care of their own customer service, and I am out the cost of a piece of kitchen equipment that should have lasted for years. No fires or near fires, but that (in my opinion) is only because the power portion of the switch failed before the bi-metal thermostat could.
Judith of Fremont OH (02/05/08)
My kids purchased a four slice toaster for us for Christmas, 2007. Since we have used it, several members of my family have gotten burned when trying to remove the toast from the toaster. It is a T460B Type 1. I am not complaining about Wal Mart. I am complaining about the toaster. I would like to know if there have been other complaints and if so what can be done to replace my toaster? Thank you for your help.
Jeremy of Oakland OTHER (02/04/08)
My wife was warming up taco shells at 350 degrees for 5 mins., when the shells caught fire. We believe that the temp of the oven rose much higher than the 350 degrees it was set at. We followed the cooking instructions that came on the package. Luckily the smoke detector went off. My wife ran to the kitchen and saw the oven on fire. She grabbed the unit and threw it outside the door into the snow. This was a very close call and could have been devastating to our family. The oven was a Black and Decker toaster oven purchased only 9 months ago. We will never again purchase another toaster oven. I will never purchase any product made by B&D!
Richard of Baltimore MD (10/24/07)
My Black & Decker toaster, model st2000, caught fire when not in use at night, while I slept, causing damage to kitchen counter and cabinets. The smoke alarm woke me up, and I pulled the plug and put out the fire.
Cynthia of Montpelier VA (03/14/07)
I bought an InfraWave speed cooking countertop oven with the Black and Decker name, but actually made by Apllica. It was advertised on TV. Used oven for about 3 weeks without problem. I opened the oven door to place the cooking pans inside and the oven came on and started to heat. This type of oven makes very little noise when on, but the heating lights are visible if looking at the oven. I pushed the power button and the stop/start button to turn it off, but the oven would not turn off. I opened the door and it still kept heating. The oven uses an infrawave to cook and is suppose to turn off (like a microwave) when the door is opened. There was no time limit on the display indicating the cooking time limit and it possibly could have continued heating until it caught fire. The only wave to turn off the oven was to unplug it from the outlet. When I plugged it back in later, it continued to heat even though I did not push the power or stop/start buttons. The top of the oven got hot so I know it was heating. I unplugged and removed from use. I feel sure that it would have caused a kitchen fire had I not noticed that it came on by itself, and unplugged it.
Shiela of Long Beach CA (02/05/07)
I purchased a Toaster 2-slice 10-29-04 (and I realize the warranty is over) but I believe there is a dangerous defect in the toaster. I was making toast 2-3-07 and the toaster popped, flames burst and then retreated and it sparked and some smoke was released. It happened so fast I am glad the falmes did not leap.
The toaster is ruined of course but my concern is that if it were a child or an elderly person and the flames had leaped a little more than they did, someone could be seriously burned or electricuted. I contactted Black and Decker not for a refund or replacement because the warranty was up but to let them knoe it might not be an isolated event. I thought they might want me to return the toaster so they could test it for defects.
Carol of Brooklyn, NY (01/01/06)
Last year I bought a Toaster Oven by Black and Decker. The first time I used it, it burned right through the top turning the oven black. I called them and they shipped me a new oven but different model. About three weeks ago I put in a piece of bread to toast it, how long does that take? 30 seconds. Well my Toaster oven actually exploded, shattering glass all over and the door blew right off. Had I been taking the bread out at that moment, I would have been killed or seriously injured. I have since tried to reach them by phone and I have sent a dozen e-mails but they refuse to answer me. They finally sent me a check for $40 to cover the cost of the oven but in the meantime I had to call in an electrician to make sure it wasn't my wiring. It wasn't.
Herman Grishaver of Warren PA (06/25/05)
Bought it new, noticed that the shut-off switch for the toaster would occasionally catch and not turn off. One day wife made toast, took the toast out, went to the living room - realized the house was filling up with smoke - the toaster oven never switched off, and was on fire. A second similar model has never worked right from day one: only the top burners work. This is two of the lower end B&D toaster ovens in a row which don't work properly, one clearly a major fire hazard.
One toaster oven in flames and destroyed, fortunately wife was at home and was able to remove the oven and put out the flames in the yard. The other still does not work properly.
John King of Auburn WA (01/02/04)
We received a Black & Decker Toast-R-Oven, Series TRO300 in Jan. 2001. Within a month, we had a fire involving the unit. the retail outlet gave us a replacement unit. The toast heating was also inconsistent with that unit, resulting in many cases of burned toast, although no repeat fires. The unit recently failed; the toast switch no longer working. I'm 51 and an engineer, and have used numerous toaster ovens since college days. I've never dealt with such a poorly performing unit.
Fire was contained to the unit; no damage to the kitchen.
Jeanne of San Juan Capistrano CA (08/15/01)
We have purchased 3 Black & Decker toaster ovens and have had a fire in each one. We contacted Black & Decker by phone. They took my name address and phone number. We never heard back from them. We could have had a real disaster had we not been home.
We could have suffered huge damages when they caught on fire. We all could have been dead if it happened while we were asleep. I feel that these toaster ovens should be taken off the market.
John of Auburn WA (1/2/04):
We received a Black & Decker Toast-R-Oven, Series TRO300 in Jan. 2001. Within a month, we had a fire involving the unit. the retail outlet gave us a replacement unit. The "toast" heating was also inconsistent with that unit, resulting in many cases of burned toast, although no repeat fires.
The unit recently failed; the toast switch no longer working. I'm 51 and an engineer, and have used numerous toaster ovens since college days. I've never dealt with such a poorly performing unit.
Thomas of Aiken SC (6/25/03):
The replacement Black and Decker sent is still way too hot to be considered a countertop appliance. If I could, I would just return it for a smaller one - like the original I replaced (B&D also). I have had to make special rules for my kids (young teens) to use - like pull it away from the wall, make sure nothing else is touching it (coffee maker), don't even think of touching any outside surface, allow a few extra minutes for it to heat up when making frozen waffle or bagel, etc.
Overall not satisfied with this B&D product. Still like my other ones though, especially my tools. Lastly, I am Industrial Safety Engineer for the Department of Energy by profession. If I found this oven in the break-area/lunchroom at work, I would have it removed for safety reasons (personnel burns or fire from paper towel left on top).
I have tried to reason with B&D, but not getting anywhere. If my house catches on fire, am I covered?
Nancy of Clairton PA (8/31/01):
My problem really started in Jan. of 2001 when I bought a replacement toaster oven for my dad who wanted nothing but Black and Decker. I bought him a TRO200, brought it home and plugged it in to try it and it would not shut off, had to pull the plug so it wouldn't start a fire, it got that hot. Took it back and it was replaced.
The second one would not toast bread the second time or even bake hot dog wraps, they were burned on the bottom and raw on top. So this time, I decided to contact Black and Decker and tell them the problem. I surely can't be the only one in the world that has a problem with this model. The agent told me to cut the cord off and send it in, so I did and that they would upgrade my toaster and make it right.
I sent the cord the same day and I made a big mistake, I didn't insure it. They said that they didn't get it and so a lot of back and forth about it and finally they sent me another one, which was the same model number and so I tried it. It was just as bad as the other two so I decided that I would take the loss but I would write them a letter and tell them about my problem.
They called me and so I went through all this again. Cut the cord and sent it. This was July by now and they did receive it. This time, I talked to an agent named Phyllis and everything seemed to be doing fine. Well, two weeks ago, the beginning of Aug. I called and they told me that I should have the toaster by the end of the week. Needless to say, I still do not have a toaster-oven.
So I called back, this time an agent said she had no record of my conversations and gave me another number (I think customer number) which I had been given a different one in the beginning. By this time, I am livid and decided to call back the next day. I got hold of Phyllis and she said that there must have been a computer error and that she would put it back in for delivery and it would take another two weeks.
This is appalling and upsetting. I can't imagine a company like Black and Decker to run a business like this. The funny thing is that my dad wanted to buy a dust-buster the other day and I said--we're not going through that again.
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