The Best Hot Dog Toasters

Buying Guide for Hot Dog Toasters

Why buy a hot dog toaster?

Retro-style kitchen appliances like a hot dog toaster can make amazing gifts because they’re fun to use and they stir up happy memories. They also make a fantastic appliance to add to your camp, RV, or home kitchen. They make hot dogs in a snap, and many hot dog toasters are stylish, too.

What should you consider in a hot dog toaster?

• Capacity: Are you traveling the country in an RV with your spouse, or are you hosting the following five big family events? If you’re feeding a small party and don’t want to take up a lot of space, consider buying a smaller hot dog toaster. If you’re the king of the block party, you may want a larger capacity machine to impress your guests.
• Design: Let’s face it, pretty much every hot dog toaster is cool to look at. But if you wax nostalgic for your favorite brands or characters, why not have them featured on your new favorite small appliance? Larger, more industrial designs are cool for block parties, tailgate parties, or even fun man caves.
• Hot Surfaces: Beware, hot! If you think of sharing this small appliance with your kids, the countertop variations often have more safety solutions to prevent burns. If you’re an avid cook with a mind for food safety, hot surfaces may be less of a concern.

How do hot dog toasters work?

Some hot dog toasters work just like traditional toasters, except that you put hot dogs and bread inside them instead of just bread. They generally have crumb trays and drip trays that catch excess waste while your hot dogs and buns are cooking. They cook your hot dogs and buns quickly inside an enclosed space. Other hot dog toasters work similarly to grills, except that they have rolling heated elements that cook the hot dogs evenly on all sides.

Our Picks for the Best Hot Dog Toasters

Pros: The novelty of this toaster cannot be beaten with the classic Peanuts Snoopy design on the front. It has enough space to toast two hot dogs at once with five toaster settings that you can adjust to your liking. There is a removable crumb tray that makes it simple to clean up. Just hand wash, and you’re good to go.

Cons: The low heat settings don’t do much, so you need to use the higher heat settings to get the job done.

Bottom Line: The classic cartoon characters featured on the toaster will make you and your friends smile. It does the trick, cooking two hot dogs toasty warm in just minutes.

 

Pros: This hot dog toaster steams up to 24 of your favorite hot dogs or brats to perfection in under 20 minutes. The bun warmer opens from the top and can hold 12 buns. It cooks in three positions—high, warm, and off. You have to add water, put the cover on, and turn it on high for your steamed hot dogs to be ready. The classic look adds a touch of fun to your next tailgate or party, and it’s super easy to clean and store away.

Cons: If you leave the buns in for more than five minutes, they’ll become soggy.

Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for a hot dog steamer that can warm many hot dogs at once, this may be the one for you. Everything is ready in a short amount of time, cutting down on fuss.

 

Pros: This toaster oven comes with five stainless-steel rollers that will perfectly cook your hot dogs on all sides in 30 minutes. There is an oil- and crumb-retaining tray to make cleanup hassle-free. The see-through oven door and convenient design make this pick quite a steal at such an affordable price.

Cons: This hot dog toaster is challenging to clean.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a classic-style hot dog roller that will fit perfectly on your kitchen counter, this may be for you. It’s versatile, making it the perfect gift for any special occasion.

 

Pros: The compact size of this adorable toaster makes it perfect for kitchen counters, even if you live in tight spaces. It comes in a retro-classic style with metallic silver knobs and details. You can toast up to two hot dogs and their buns at one time with five different heat settings. It comes with mini tongs and a drip tray for easy convenience.

Cons: This toaster may smoke the first couple of times you use it.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a cute, affordable small appliance to give as a gift or enjoy yourself, this may be an excellent selection. The retro theme is on point, adding style to your kitchen.

 

Pros: This hot dog toaster is easy to assemble and use, even for people who aren’t particularly handy. This electric option is made of solid stainless steel and features five nonstick rollers that cook up to 12 hot dogs. The 360-degree rotation ensures your hot dogs get cooked evenly, and the sanitation hood protects your food from contamination. The two dual dials set the temperature for the front and back rollers, giving you plenty of control over how your meat cooks.

Cons: There’s no bun warmer on this hot dog toaster.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for the best, real restaurant-style hot dog toaster, this may be for you. It cooks quite a few hot dogs at a time, and it’s built to last.

Final Thoughts

Hot dogs are a party staple because they’re crisp and delicious, and you and your guests can dress them to your specifications—so why not invest in a quality hot dog toaster to cook them in? Consider our picks to up your hot dog game at your next event.