Warming drawer vs. toaster oven: running cost
A warming drawer is cheaper to run: about $3 a year versus $19 for a toaster oven at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $16 difference.
| Warming drawer | Toaster oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 450 W | 1,300 W |
| Watt range | 200–900 W | 1,000–1,800 W |
| Typical use | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | 18 minutes a day |
| Energy per year | 19 kWh | 108 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 3.2¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.9¢ | 5.3¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.28 | $1.62 |
| Cost per year | $3 | $19 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $8 | $47 |
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What drives the difference
- Warming drawer: Built-in warming drawers use 400-500 W heaters and cycle to hold 140-200°F; buffet servers 200-300 W.
- Toaster oven: Toaster ovens draw 1,200-1,800 W but heat a small space with little or no preheat, so a 20-minute bake uses about 0.3-0.4 kWh.
Ways to cut either cost
Holds dishes hot for 1-2 hours with no power.
See options on AmazonConvection airflow cooks faster at lower temperatures, trimming run time.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a warming drawer or a toaster oven?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a toaster oven costs about $19 a year versus $3 for a warming drawer. That's $16 more, or 5.8× as much.
How many watts do warming drawer and toaster oven use?
A warming drawer typically draws 450 W (range 200–900 W). A toaster oven draws 1,300 W (range 1,000–1,800 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.