Can You Plug A Toaster Oven Into An Extension Cord? Yes, Details Here

Toaster ovens are extremely handy in preparing breakfast for the family or a quick late-night snack. However, the worry for most people is whether you can plug a toaster oven into an extension. 

Yes, you can plug your toaster oven into an extension cord. However, you must first ensure that your extension is designed to carry your toaster oven. That is the wattage rating of the extension cord should be at par with that of the toaster oven. 

Find out the safety measures to put in place before plugging your toaster oven into an extension cord. We have also thrown in helpful suggestions on other places you can plug your toaster oven.

What Kind of Extension Cord Can I Plug My Toaster Oven into?

We recommend plugging your toaster oven only into an appliance-type extension cord. Appliance-type extension cords are designed to withstand the power pull your toaster oven exerts. So, how exactly do you select a suitable extension cord for your toaster oven? Find out below.

Tips on Choosing an Extension Cord for Your Toaster Oven

You can’t simply plug in your toaster oven to just any extension cord you find lying around in the house. There are important things you should first consider to ensure that your extension cord can support the toaster oven. 

Here are some things you should consider when choosing an extension cord for your toaster oven. 

• Ampere and power rating of your toaster oven
• Wire gauge of the extension cord
• Ensuring it has the right certification

Let’s take a closer look at these critical points.

Getting the Right Power Rating and Amperage for Your Toaster Oven

The first thing you should consider when choosing an extension cord for your toaster oven is the amperage and wattage rating of the toaster oven itself. Knowing the appliance’s power rating is crucial because it helps ensure your extension cord doesn’t suffer an overload.

The rule of thumb is that the higher the power rating in wattage and electrical rating, the higher the power draw on the extension cord. To prevent an overload, you must ensure that the power rating of the extension wire is double that of the toaster oven. On average, most toaster ovens have a wattage rating of 1100 to 1850 watts.

Pay Attention to the Wire Gauge

The next thing you should consider when choosing an extension wire for your toaster oven is the wire gauge. Put simply, the wire gauge determines the amount of current that the extension cord can carry. The larger the wire diameter, the higher the current it can carry.

For clarity, look out for the American Gauge standard (AWG) of the cord. Each AWG number corresponds to the amount of current that the cord can efficiently carry (check it out). So, first, identify the amperage of your toaster oven, then match it to the AWG of the cord. You can use a 12 or 14-gauge wire for your toaster oven.

Ensure the Cord is Certified

There are several cheap extension cords available; however, most of these cords are not UL or CE-certified. These uncertified cords expose you to a lot of risks especially as most of them spot fake gauge numbers and are made from subpar materials. 

Thus, we recommend going for the more expensive UL or CE-certified cords. You can be sure that the gauge rating on them is correct – that gauge 12 wire is actually a gauge 12.

Check Out the Brands

Yes, cost savings are important when purchasing anything. But when it comes to extension wires, you don’t want to cut costs and buy subpar cords that can set your house ablaze. We recommend always buying from a reputable brand rather than random manufacturers. That way, you can avoid buying products with fake CE or UL gauge ratings.

Safety Hazards to Consider When Plugging a Toaster Oven into an Extension Cord

1. Fire Hazard

One valid concern/hazard to consider when plugging your toaster oven into an extension cord is a fire hazard. That’s because longer cords pose a greater safety concern since they can easily get tangled.

Longer cords are also more challenging to handle and wind up rubbing up against other electrical appliances. The friction may result in a nasty fire outbreak. 

2. Trip Hazards

Toaster ovens when plugged into an extension cord can pose a great tripping hazard. That’s because the cord becomes too long. It is an even greater concern when you have little kids running around the house. They can trip over the wire at any time and hurt themselves. 

3. Overheating

There is a risk of your toaster oven overheating when plugged into an extension socket. That’s because the longer cord reduces the voltage of the toaster. This forces the toaster oven to work harder to cook your food. With the voltage lowered, the toaster begins to overheat, and the wire may even melt.

You can avoid all of these hazards by plugging your toaster oven directly into a wall socket. That way, the current flowing into the toaster oven remains constant and there are no stray wires that can trip you. Of course, by plugging your appliance directly into a wall socket, you can effectively reduce the risk of a fire outbreak and ensure your device doesn’t fry from overheating.

Conclusion

We have discussed extensively whether you can plug a toaster oven into an extension cord. The truth remains that plugging your toaster oven into an extension cord is not widely recommended because of the hazards it poses. However, if you take the right safety steps like matching your toaster oven to an extension cord with the right AWG rating, then you can go ahead and do it. 

AWG ratings aside, we recommend getting an extension cord with the right diameter, amperage, and wattage. Check out the extension cords from certified electrical manufacturing brands – they are UL and CE-certified and thus, of greater quality.