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COMFEE CFO-BB101 vs Hamilton Beach 31127D Toaster Oven Side-by-Side Comparison




Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)5.3/10
- Design (25%)2.9/10
- Usability (25%)4.5/10
- Performance (50%)6.6/10
- Design (25%)5.2/10
- Usability (25%)6.4/10
The COMFEE CFO-BB101 Compact Countertop Toaster Oven is slightly cheaper than the already inexpensive Hamilton Beach 31127D 6-Slice Toaster Oven. However, the former is smaller and has lower scores in every aspect including design, usability, and especially performance.
The Hamilton did better in baking pizza, french fries, and toasting bread. The oven’s higher power draw allowed it to better maintain high temperatures (≥ 400°F), and its four nichrome heating elements helped with the heat distribution.
The Comfee had only two quartz heating elements and a lower power draw, which normally wouldn’t result in its higher roasted whole chicken score. However, while it took longer to cook the chicken, the chicken was cooked all the way through, unlike the Hamilton’s. In an amusing turn of events, the Comfee’s chicken was so close to the upper heating element due to a lack of space and, thus, had better skin browning.
The Comfee has a neat detachable crumb tray. However, its casing didn’t have as thick stainless steel and its build wasn’t very sturdy compared to the Hamilton’s.
While both toaster ovens had simple analog control, the Hamilton’s dials were more precise. In addition, the Hamilton having a bigger cooking chamber reduced the chance of a mess when cooking and made it easier to clean.
Overall, the Comfee CFO-BB101 serves its functions, doesn’t use much energy, and saves kitchen space. Meanwhile, the Hamilton Beach 31127D is suitable for anyone looking for a sturdy, inexpensive, medium-sized unit.
COMFEE Toaster Oven (CFO-BB101) Performance
- Toast (40%)4.5/10
- Pizza (25%)5.0/10
- Whole Roasted Chicken (25%)7.1/10
- Baked French Fries (10%)4.7/10
- Toast (40%)7.3/10
- Pizza (25%)6.6/10
- Whole Roasted Chicken (25%)6.3/10
- Baked French Fries (10%)5.1/10
Toast
- Function: Toast
- Number Of Slices: 4
- Toast Level: Medium
- Cooking Time: 3m 50s
- Second Batch: 3m 50s
- Convection: No
It was difficult to perform our Toast test on the Comfee as we couldn’t input the exact cooking time or toast level. This was because the timer for toast was a countdown from 10 minutes without any level or minute indicator.
Our first attempt was 4m 10s, but the toast turned too dark, especially on the bottom side. Then we tried 2m 45s, but it barely acquired any color and we figured out that 3m 30s was possibly the best choice.
However, after many attempts, we couldn’t set the timer exactly as mentioned above and had to evaluate the result of 3m 50s. This strongly affected the oven’s toast score, resulting in a 4.6/10.
After setting it at 3m 50s, the Comfee produced four slices of toast with a golden brown color on the top. However, most of the bottom surface had no color but also just a few dark areas, so it got a 6/10.
The first batch, which was slightly crispy, was passable and our head chef Tuyet Pham gave it a 5.5/10 for taste.
The fact that we couldn’t set an exact timer only worsened the results for the second batch. The top had a large burnt area, the bottom had almost no color, and the toast didn’t become crispy at all. This result made the Comfee fail the consecutive usability section of our toast test and got a 2/10.
- Function: Toast
- Number Of Slices: 4
- Toast Level: 3/4 to Medium
- Cooking Time: 3m 30s
- Second Batch: 3m 30s
- Convection: No
We initially set the toast knob to Medium—right at the Toast icon—for our Toast test. The bread came away very dark on the bottom but barely toasted on top. Then, the halfway point to Medium gave the toast no color.
Eventually, we settled on a point 3/4 the way to Medium—around 3 minutes 30 seconds on the timer—as the best option, and awarded it a score of 7.3/10.
At our optimal toasting setting, the Hamilton Beach produced 4 pieces with a great, slightly golden-brown color. Though the oven doesn’t have a convection fan, the color distribution was about 80% even so we gave the toast an 8/10.
The first batch of toast was crispy on the outside while still soft and moist on the inside, so we gave it an 8/10 for taste. Our head chef, Tuyet Pham, said it would go very well with everything including sandwiches, soup, omelets, and eggs benedict.
The second batch represented a significant decrease in performance, scoring only 5.5/10 for consecutive usability. The toast had an uneven, dark brown color plus a burnt flavor. If you want the second batch to be the same as the first, remember to only turn the knob halfway to Medium—around 1 minute 55 seconds on the timer.
Pizza
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 450°F
- Cooking Time: 11m
- Convection: No
The Comfee wasn’t suitable for baking a 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza with a score of 5/10.
This oven took 11 minutes, which was over our time limit, to bake the pizza to a desirable outcome. Thus, it failed the cooking time section of our Pizza test.
The crust attained just a light golden color and was very soft, so it got a 6/10. There were some small bits stuck to the baking pan, but they weren’t hard to get rid of.
The toppings had uneven caramelization and were a bit dry throughout, so they scored a 6.5/10. The cheese was slightly melty, but some areas darkened a lot.
Our chef gave the pizza a 6/10 for taste.
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 450°F
- Cooking Time: 9m 10s
- Convection: No
This oven left a bit to be desired when we tried baking a 9-inch thick-crust meat pizza. We gave it a score of 6.6/10.
It took 9 minutes and 10 seconds to bake a pizza which was slightly faster than the recommended 10 minutes on the label. It only garnered a score of 5.8/10 after being compared to other toaster ovens in our Pizza test, though.
The crust had a good golden brown color but was soft, so we could only give it a 7/10. The toppings were caramelized unevenly and some areas of cheese got darkened. On the bright side, the toppings weren’t dry, so they got a 7/10. After tasting, our chef gave it a 6.5/10.
Whole Roasted Chicken
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 350°F
- Cooking Time: 1h 20m
- Convection: No
The Comfee’s capacity barely fit a 3 lb chicken, which led to some problems during our Whole Roasted Chicken test. Overall, it left a few things to be desired and got a score of 7.1/10.
The oven took 1h 20m to cook the chicken, which was 20 minutes longer than the standard amount of time so it got a 6/10.
Even though we had to rotate the baking pan 3 times during roasting, most of the skin could only get a yellow color, similar to when it’s steamed. The only exception was the middle area, which was close to the upper heating elements and turned a golden brown color.
Nonetheless, the skin was soft so it could only get a 6.5/10. In addition, the skin on the back got stuck to the baking pan when we tried to flip the chicken.
The chicken was thoroughly cooked and the internal temperature was 183-189°F, which was only a little higher than recommended by the USDA, so we gave it a 9.1/10.
The meat was soft and juicy, so our chef gave it a 7/10 for taste.
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 350°F
- Cooking Time: 1h
- Convection: No
Even though the Hamilton Beach could comfortably fit a 3 lb chicken for our Whole Roasted Chicken test, its performance was far from perfect, scoring only 6.3/10.
The oven took 1 hour—our standard for this test—to cook the chicken to a desirable color, so we gave it an 8/10.
After roasting, the skin took on an even golden color on top but only a very light caramelization on the bottom — although that was also even. Unfortunately, the skin was very soft, so we could only give it a 5.5/10.
The chicken reached an internal temperature of 165-176°F which was very close to the USDA recommendation. However, there were pink spots near the bone so we could only give it a 6/10.
The meat was acceptable in terms of texture and juiciness, but didn’t stand out as remarkable. Our chef gave the chicken a 6/10 for taste.
Baked French Fries
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 400°F.
- Cooking Time: 35 m
- Convection: No
Baking 12 oz of french fries wasn’t a favorable task for the Comfee; it ended up with a 4.7/10.
Even after 35 minutes, the Comfee wasn’t able to produce a notable change in the texture and color of the fries. In addition, as the time limit for our Baked French Fries test was 25 minutes, this oven failed our cooking time criterion.
The fries lacked color, so they got a 6/10. The oven basically thawed the fries without really baking them resulting in soggy fries with a score of 5.5/10. Our chef could only give the fries a 6/10 for taste.
- Function: Bake
- Temperature: 400°F.
- Cooking Time: 27m 15s
- Convection: No
Baking 12 oz of french fries clearly wasn’t the Hamilton Beach oven’s forte, and it came away with a score of 5.1/10.
This oven took 27 minutes and 15 seconds to put some color into the french fries. That exceeded our time limit of 25 minutes, though, so it failed the cooking time criterion of our Baked French Fries test.
Even though the fries had some golden ends, most of them basically had no color. We gave them a 6.5/10.
Despite being spread out on the baking pan, the fries didn’t crisp up, so they got a 6/10. Our chef gave the fries a 6.5/10 for taste.
Comfee Small Toaster Oven Design Review
- Exterior (20%)8.0/10
- Interior (30%)1.0/10
- Build Quality (50%)2.0/10
- Exterior (20%)7.0/10
- Interior (30%)1.0/10
- Build Quality (50%)7.0/10
In the Comfee CFO-BB101 Small Toaster Oven Box
- Model: CFO-BB101
- Warranty: 1-year limited (US only)
- User Manual
- Baking Rack
- Baking Pan
The packaging has two foam pads to keep the oven firmly in place. However, the two accessories are simply wrapped in plastic and duct-taped to the oven. Comfee also provides a user manual with some simple recipes.
- Model: 31127D
- Warranty: 1-year limited in the US and 5-year limited in Canada
- User Manual
- Baking Rack
- Baking Pan
- Removable Crumb Tray
Aside from the Hamilton Beach oven itself, the box also contained a baking pan, a baking rack, a removable crumb tray, and a basic user manual.
Exterior
- Weight:5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
- Length:13.8" (35.2 cm)
- Width:11.2" (28.4 cm)
- Height:8.0" (20.3 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Color:White
- Door Handle:cool-touch
- Tray Indicators:No
- Crumb Tray:Detachable
The oven’s casing is painted white but also polished, so you won’t have to worry about it getting dirty easily. Besides the two back buffers that keep the oven from being pushed too close to the wall, the Comfee also features carrying handles on the sides.
What stands out to make an impression is the detachable crumb tray, similar to the Mueller MT-175. You can open it by tilting the unit slightly backward and pushing the dial on the tray towards the rear of the unit.
Our measurements of the oven’s footprint were 13.85" x 11.18" x 8" which only had marginal differences from the manufacturer's 14.6" x 11.4" x 8".
- Weight:9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
- Length:18.5" (47.0 cm)
- Width:14.6" (37.0 cm)
- Height:9.4" (24.0 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Color:Silver
- Door Handle:cool-touch
- Tray Indicators:No
- Crumb Tray:Removable
The Hamilton Beach has a stainless steel exterior. Our measurements of the oven’s footprint were 18.5" x 15.56" x 9.41"—marginally different from the manufacturer’s provided 18.74" x 15.24" x 9.41".
What stands out most is the roll-top door with a cool-touch handle. It moves up and out of the way, giving you safe and easy access to your food before, during, and after cooking.
The oven has a back buffer to prevent it from being pushed too close to the wall. Unlike many other toaster ovens, though, you can’t wrap the power cord around the buffer.
Control Panel
- Type:2 control knobs
- Temperature:150°F - 450°F
- Timer:1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
- Indicator Light:Yes
- Status Bar:No
- Light Toggle:No
- Convection Toggle:No
- Rotation Toggle:No
- Automatic Preheat:No
- Audio Cues:No
The Comfee simply has two control knobs: one for temperature and the other for time. Even though the timer is set only from 1 minute to 30 minutes, it has a stay-on position.
- Type:3 control knobs
- Temperature:100°F - 450°F
- Timer:1 minute - 30 minutes + stay-on
- Indicator Light:Yes
- Status Bar:No
- Light Toggle:No
- Convection Toggle:No
- Rotation Toggle:No
- Automatic Preheat:No
- Audio Cues:No
The Hamilton beach has three contoured control knobs labeled Temperature, Function, and Timer which are durable and easy to grip. While the timer only runs from 1 minute to 30 minutes, the knob has a stay-on position as well.
Cooking Functions Comfee CFO-BB101 Toaster Oven
- Toast
- Bake
- Broil
If you know your way around the kitchen, the bake and broil functions will be all you need.
- Toast
- Bake
- Broil
The bake and broil functions will be all you need if you know your way around the kitchen. The temperature knob also includes a Min setting which, at 100°F, can act as a ‘keep warm’ option.
Interior
- Heating Elements:2 quartz
- Convection Fan:No
- Lighting:No
- Tray Levels:2
- Rotisserie:No
- Safety Hook:No
The CFO-BB101 uses 2 quartz heating elements which use infrared light to cook. Each one has its own safety guard to prevent direct contact with baking pans and trays.
Compared to the more common nichrome heating elements, the quartz heating elements produce more heat and cool down faster. They’re also easier to clean and more energy-efficient. However, they are not as durable and will suffer from permanent stains if grease splashes onto them while cooking.
Similar to most small toaster ovens, the oven doesn’t have internal lighting or a convection system and it only has two tray levels. In addition, while it’s common for units this size to have two heating elements, we usually found a less even heat distribution compared to units with four or more heating elements.
- Heating Elements:4 nichrome
- Convection Fan:No
- Lighting:No
- Tray Levels:2
- Rotisserie:No
- Safety Hook:No
Unfortunately, the 31127D doesn’t have any interior features worth mentioning, not even internal lighting or a convection system like the Cuisinart TOA-60. The only thing it has is four nichrome heating elements.
Capacity
- Length:10.2" (25.8 cm)
- Width:9.6" (24.5 cm)
- Height:6.9" (17.5 cm)
Although compact, the Comfee has enough capacity for 4 slices of toast, a 9-inch pizza, and barely enough for a 3 lb chicken. We measured the cooking chamber’s volume to be around 11 liters which was slightly different from the manufacturer’s provided 10 liters. However, it could just be a difference in measuring standards.
- Length:13.0" (33.0 cm)
- Width:12.2" (31.0 cm)
- Height:7.7" (19.5 cm)
The Hamilton Beach has enough capacity for 6 slices of toast, a 3 lb chicken, or a 12-inch pizza.
We measured the cooking chamber’s volume to be around 19.92 liters which was vastly different from the manufacturer’s stated capacity of 10 liters. However, this could be because we measured from the cooking chamber’s walls to walls whereas the manufacturer stopped before reaching the heating elements.
Power Cord of the Comfee Small Toaster Oven
- Length:26.4" (67.0 cm)
- Type:2-prong plug
- Power:1000 W
- Rated Output:120 V ~ 60 Hz
The power cord is roughly 26.37"—enough length for household use. However, the back buffers aren’t designed to wrap the cord around, unlike many other toaster ovens.
- Length:35.0" (88.9 cm)
- Type:2-prong plug
- Power:1400 W
- Rated Output:120 V ~ 60 Hz
The power cord protrudes from the bottom of the oven which can create some inconvenient bends. Nonetheless, roughly 35" is plenty of cord length for household use. However, the oven doesn’t have a storage place for the cord.
Accessories
- Length:10.2" (25.8 cm)
- Width:8.3" (21.0 cm)
- Height:0.4" (1.1 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The rack fits perfectly with the guide, which helps prevent accidents when placing your food in the oven.
- Length:13.0" (33.0 cm)
- Width:11.9" (30.2 cm)
- Height:1.0" (2.5 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The rack fits perfectly into the guide rails, reducing the chance of an accident when placing your food in the oven.
Accessories
- Length:10.2" (25.8 cm)
- Width:7.9" (20.0 cm)
- Height:0.7" (1.7 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The baking pan has ridges and grooves which can give your food attractive roasting marks and catch the dripping better. However, its coating isn’t completely non-stick, so it may be prone to some stubborn stains after a hefty roast.
- Length:11.3" (28.8 cm)
- Width:9.4" (23.8 cm)
- Height:0.7" (1.8 cm)
- Material:Stainless steel
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The baking pan is correctly sized to keep messy food from dripping directly onto the heating elements. It slides into the brackets on the baking rack’s underside, so it’s a perfect fit. Unfortunately, though it has a coating, it isn’t completely non-stick so it can accumulate some stains after a tough roasting mission.
Build Quality
Being a compact product, it’s understandable that the Comfee doesn’t have as many design features as bigger toaster ovens. Even though the price of this product is quite reasonable, it doesn’t have a very sturdy build. In addition, the door can open if you tilt the oven.
The Hamilton Beach is well-constructed out of durable stainless steel. Its contoured knobs turn smoothly and are a nice simple touch.
Comfee CFO-BB101 Small Toaster Oven Usability
- User Control (30%)5.0/10
- Ease of Use (50%)4.0/10
- Cleanability (20%)5.0/10
- User Control (30%)6.0/10
- Ease of Use (50%)6.0/10
- Cleanability (20%)8.0/10
User Control
Even though the Comfee has only two simple control knobs for time and temperature, there are a few things to keep in mind. For the timer knob, when setting it to less than 5 minutes, always rotate past 5 minutes (Med) and then rotate back to the desired time.
For the temperature knob, both the heating elements function when the oven is set from 150°F to 450°F. On Bake, only the bottom element functions, and the oven’s internal temperature is maintained at approximately 400°F-425°F. On Broil, only the top element functions, and the temperature stays steady at approximately 425°F-450°F.
The other problem relates to time and temperature, both of which cannot be adjusted precisely. Nonetheless, you can get used to adjusting time and temperature on this oven after a few times. You can also use an oven thermometer and an external timer to help with this.
The Hamilton Beach only has three simple control knobs but there are a few things to pay attention to. If you wish to set the timer knob for less than 10 minutes, you must first turn it beyond the 10-minute mark (to start the heating) and then roll it back to the setting you want.
Precisely adjusting time and temperature can be a bit difficult but it’s not a major problem. If you’re concerned, use an external timer and an oven thermometer for more accurate measurements.
Ease of Use
With two control knobs, it’s very simple to adjust time and temperature during cooking. When the timer runs out, a bell will sound and the oven will shut off. The oven does not have a digital display, so you can freely leave it plugged in and not worry about power consumption.
It’s easy to keep the door partially open to let food cool down, but keep in mind that this doesn’t stop the cooking. Also, be careful as the oven’s exterior gets hot to the touch quite quickly.
The simple analog control panel makes it very easy to adjust settings on the fly. Once the timer counts down to the Off position, you’ll hear a chime and the oven will shut itself off. Since there’s no digital display, the oven won’t draw any more power even if you leave it plugged in.
The oven’s exterior only gets hot to the touch after a long cooking time at a high temperature. The door can be kept partially open at many degrees but keep in mind that it doesn’t switch the oven off.
Cleanability
We cleaned the Comfee following our toaster oven cleaning guide without much problem. Thanks to the detachable crumb tray, not only were we able to remove the crumbs, we also had better access to clean the oven’s interior.
However, some of the crumbs got stuck inside the bottom heating element’s guard. As for the baking pan, without a good coating, it got a slight discoloration after our Whole Roasted Chicken test.
We cleaned the Hamilton Beach in accordance with our toaster oven cleaning guide. The oven was easy to clean thanks to its surface coatings and the fact that it has no tricky nooks and crannies.
The removable crumb tray made it easy to clean up the crumbs, though we still had to tilt the oven to get the last of them. Unfortunately, after our Whole Roasted Chicken test, the baking pan accumulated some discoloration that we weren’t able to remove even with a paste of baking soda and water.