Hot dogs are among the most American foods you can eat, conjuring up images of backyard summer barbecues and trips to the ballpark. But if you don’t want to break out the grill or the credit card, hot dogs usually get made in substandard ways that just don’t taste the same.
Never boil a hot dog again with the Elite Gourmet Hot Dog Roller And Toaster Oven. It cooks four hot dogs and warms four buns together, plus it has a built-in timer with a loud ding to ring your dinner bell.
Dedicated hot dog cookers typically come in two forms — toasters and rollers.
Size and capacity go hand in hand with hot dog cookers.
Most hot dog cookers don’t include any extras, but occasionally you'll run into ones that throw in some tongs or a recipe book.
The best hot dog cookers can warm or toast your buns while the hot dogs cook. Carefully check how the buns are treated before purchasing. Some are only warmed while others are toasted and can be burned if left alone too long.
Most hot dog cookers only have one temperature. Better models offer a high heat setting for cooking and a low heat setting for keeping hot dogs warm.
The best hot dog cookers have removable drip trays. These keep the inevitable grease contained to make cleaning far easier than it would be otherwise.
Some hot dog cookers have timers so you can truly set and forget until it’s time to eat.
Hot dog cookers typically cost $20-$150 for noncommercial use. Toasters and small rollers shouldn’t cost more than $50-$75 while large rollers usually top out at $150. Most cookers beyond $150 are meant for commercial use.
A. There are many benefits.
A. Depending on the cooker, yes. Most rollers can cook anything cylindrical such as corn dogs and egg rolls. Think about the foods you find in a gas station roller for ideas. Toasters typically only cook hot dogs and usually can’t cook hot dogs of longer, shorter or thicker sizes than usual.
Elite Gourmet Hot Dog Roller and Toaster Oven
What you need to know: This roller and toaster combo is perfect for small families.
What you’ll love: It holds four hot dogs in the top rollers and four buns in the lower oven. The dust cover protects the hot dogs and a removable grease tray makes cleaning easy. Indicator lights let you know it’s working and a timer means you never overcook your hot dogs.
What you should consider: If anyone wants more than one hot dog, they have to wait until the first batch is done cooking. The timer can’t be canceled or advanced once set.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon, Home Depot, Kohl’s and Macy’s
Nostalgia Two-Slot Hot Dog and Bun Toaster
What you need to know: Individuals that love hot dogs can’t go wrong with this miniature toaster.
What you’ll love: It simultaneously toasts two hot dogs and buns. The hot dogs rest in a removable cage and tongs are included for the buns. You won’t struggle to get anything out. It has a removable drip tray for easy cleaning and comes in four colors.
What you should consider: A few customers had issues with the hot dogs or the buns burning. Others had occasional issues with the buns getting stuck. Only standard-sized hot dogs fit.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This medium-sized roller is great for hosting small events.
What you’ll love: It cooks up to six hot dogs at once and the rollers are sized to also cook anything of a similar shape. It has two temperature settings and rubber feet keep it firmly in place.
What you should consider: A few purchasers noted that the edges were sharp. It can take up to 30 minutes to cook raw foods.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
