Most people would jump at the chance to make life in the kitchen that bit more convenient at an affordable price. But how about something that can cook your entire morning breakfast, prepare a perfect cup of coffee and basically present you with a fully cooked meal - all on its own?
What’s interesting about the Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro is how breakfast stations like these were once all the rage in the US. A good breakfast station coffee maker complete with a toaster oven was an absolute must for the innovative household, with the ability to grill, toast, bake and make coffee to perfection at the touch of a button. And just to digress, if you want a more economical option, there's this review, as well.
Though for some reason along the way, the concept of the automated and seriously versatile breakfast station faded into obscurity. Now, if you use your toaster mostly just for heating, go to this post.
A welcome blast from the past, the Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro 3 in 1 is looking to turn things around in a big way. Arguably the number 1 family size electric breakfast maker with a multi-functioning toaster oven and convenient automatic coffee maker, this thing is capable of cooking a wide variety of breakfast foods to absolute perfection. All with a compact design, a convenient 30-minute timer and the reassurance of endless positive reviews from satisfied customers. On the other hand, if your are looking for a toaster solution for your RV, these will do.
The Nostalgia BST3 AQ is basically a retro appliance from years gone by, upgraded for the 21st century home and capable of cooking delicious meals with next to no involvement.
Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro Breakfast Station Coffeemaker: From the Manufacturer
As for what the manufacturer has to say about this compact, space-saving appliance for the easiest hot breakfast imaginable here’s Nostalgia’s take on the main features and benefits of this particular model:
- A complete breakfast station: Perfect for the whole family, this versatile kitchen appliance can handle a variety of cooking tasks, from making eggs and pancakes to preparing bacon and more, thanks to its excellent non-stick griddle and multi-function toaster oven. However, based on my personal experience, I have found it less practical for frying eggs. While I did manage to cook eggs using it, I found it challenging to clean and determine the ideal cooking time. For frying eggs, I would recommend sticking to a traditional frying pan. That being said, it works exceptionally well for cooking sausage, especially veggie or lean turkey sausage that doesn't release much grease.
- 3-In-1: Designed to cook the perfect hot breakfast and brew up to four cups of coffee simultaneously, this compact appliance is a game-changer for small kitchens or camping. Having personally tested the coffee maker and oven, I must say I am thoroughly impressed. While it's understandable that cooking eggs on the griddle on top may not be possible due to the lack of a flat surface, it excels at preparing dishes that typically require an outdoor grill. Whether you're looking for a convenient morning routine or a versatile cooking companion for your outdoor adventures, this appliance is worth considering.
- Multi-functioning toaster: The oven boasts several useful features, including a convenient timer and a glass door that allows for easy viewing of the delectable meals cooking inside. It also offers a standard on-off function and a timer dial with demarcation for toast darkness. While it does emit a significant amount of heat, I would consider it to be on par with other ovens in terms of performance.
- Family-sized griddle: The perfect size for small kitchens where space is at a premium, but big enough to cook a 7-inch pizza, this kitchen appliance is a game-changer. It is especially great for keeping countertop space free and is an ideal addition to student homes. Personally, I am pleasantly surprised by its performance. The top griddle, which is larger than expected, functions exceptionally well. Despite my initial concerns about heat dispersion in my tiny kitchen area, I can confidently say that the appliance performs wonderfully, not getting too hot even with just a few inches of space on the side.
- Easy clean up: The wire rack, crumb tray, and nonstick griddle of this appliance are all removable, ensuring easy cleaning and providing total cleanup convenience. Not only is it super easy to clean, but it also allows for quick food preparation. If you're looking for a space-saving solution like I was, this product is excellent. I was able to replace my bulky griddle, tea kettle, and rarely used rotisserie-sized toaster oven with just this one appliance. It's a game-changer for maximizing kitchen space and functionality!
- Control panel: Choose from a variety of settings including grill, toast, bake, Warm or Heat, or oven off. The indicator light will conveniently notify you when the unit is powered on. It's important to note that all of the controls are interconnected. Therefore, remember to turn on the coffee oven light if you wish to use it simultaneously with the toaster oven. Personally, I found that running the whole toaster oven while frying eggs was necessary for the griddle function to work effectively.
- Flawless feedback: The Nostalgia BST3 AQ Retro has received almost entirely positive reviews from thousands of satisfied customers.
- Components Included: Breakfast Station, Coffee Carafe, Coffee Scoop, Reusable Coffee Filter, Griddle Lid, Oven Tray, Wire Rack, Crumb Tray
Again, the Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro has been designed inside and out to spark something of a renaissance for this kind of super-convenient cooking technology for the 21st century. The difference is that with the Nostalgia BST3 AQ Retro, you’re looking at a quicker, easier and safer way to fry, grill, bake and brew than ever before - all at the touch of a button.
Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro Family Size Electric Breakfast Station: First Impressions
Right out of the box, it is difficult not to be impressed by the way the Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro has been put together. It’s a true family size appliance that can fit up to four slices of bread in the toaster oven and griddle a whole bunch of breakfast meats on top, with a four-cup coffee maker to the side. Nevertheless, it’s also incredibly compact in its design, while making a courteous addition to pretty much any kitchen unit or countertop.
It’s also clearly been designed to be as easy to operate as possible, with an extremely simplified control panel, a light to indicate when it’s in operation and just a few basic settings to choose from. The appliance is insulated so that most of the exterior stays cool and is protected from the warm heat inside, while the multitude of removable components keeps it easy to clean after each use.
All in all, everything about the Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro has apparently been designed to allow the user to fry eggs, grill bacon and basically whip up the ultimate family breakfast - without having to trash their kitchen in the process!
Nostalgia BST3AQ Retro: Put to the Test
I decided to compare and contrast my experience with the Nostalgia BST3 AQ Retro with a selection of other customer reviews I came across while conducting my research. There’s little to no negative feedback out there to speak of, but there are a few sticking points some people highlighted - none of which I believe are enough to remove the lustre from the BST3AQ Retro.
First and foremost, if you honestly expect a seriously compact appliance like this to be the only machine you ever need in your kitchen, you’re expecting too much. The BST3AQ Retro has been designed to make an attractive and functional addition to the existing kitchen - not to replace all your other appliances and machinery.
Some have said that the coffee filter isn’t quite up to scratch for a family of four, but it nonetheless produces a solid 24 ounces with every run. It, therefore, depends exactly how much coffee you drink - I can easily knock back 12 ounces in one go, but that’s by the by. In any case, it takes no time at all to set it going again and brew another cup.
I was personally very impressed with the overall power and performance of the BST3AQ Retro when baking, frying and grilling a wide variety of breakfast foods. As is the case when using any new cooker (or even any pots and pans), there’s a certain amount of trial and error involved in the first few runs. You need to get used to the various different heat settings and work out how hot its various components actually are, but it’s an absolute breeze after that.
The fact that there’s not a huge range of settings and you can’t control the temperature with pinpoint precision is by no means a deal-breaker. That’s because the BST3AQ Retro has been manufactured to provide just the right amount of heat as it is, so why would you need to alter it?
Fired up and loaded to capacity with a whole bunch of goodies, the BST3AQ has everything you need to prepare a fantastic breakfast in a single compact corner of your kitchen. Though if you want a quick tip from me - lay a bunch of sheets of kitchen towel around the immediate vicinity, as bacon and eggs grilling happily on the top will make short work of your clean kitchen counter!
BST3AQ Aqua Toaster Oven: Conclusion
Being absolutely delighted or otherwise with the BST3AQ Aqua toaster oven is (for me) all about having realistic expectations. The BST3AQ Retro 3 in 1 is a seriously welcome blast from the past, designed to occupy as little space as possible and cook an entire family breakfast at the touch of a button.
For homes with enormous kitchens and families with plenty of time on their hands, devices like this may not be completely necessary. For everyone else - and for anyone who lives in a smaller apartment in particular -it can be an absolute godsend.
What’s important to remember about the BST3AQ is the way in which it’s not all about breakfast. The griddle, the coffee pot, the toaster oven - all perfectly capable of simplifying the preparation of all different types of meals. And then there’s the added bonus of how easy it is to clean after each use, which is always welcome.
Yes, it takes a little time to get used to and you could find yourself running parts of it (like the coffee maker) more than once to satisfy yourself and the rest of your family. But even then, it’s still going to save you massive amounts of time and effort, when compared to cooking breakfasts and other meals and the normal way.
Final verdict - an absolute bargain and a welcome blast from the past, with plenty of retro charm for the contemporary home.
Key Specs From the Manufacturer: | |
|---|---|
Convection Cooking | No |
Integrated Timer | Yes |
Non-Stick Interior | Yes |
General | |
|---|---|
Product Name | BST3RR Retro 3-in-1 Family Size Breakfast Station |
Brand | Nostalgia |
Model Number | BST3RR |
Color | Retro Red |
Color Category | Red |
Features | |
|---|---|
Convection Cooking | No |
Function(s) | Bake, Toast, Reheat, Bagel, Pizza |
Non-Stick Interior | Yes |
Programmable | No |
Integrated Timer | Yes |
See-Through Design | Yes |
Included | Cell |
Removable Drip Tray | Yes |
Rotisserie Included | No |
Warranty | Cell |
Manufacturer's Warranty - Parts | 1 year |
Manufacturer's Warranty - Labor | 1 year |
Other | Cell |
UPC | 082677001245 |
Final Thoughts
All in all, this breakfast station is a fantastic addition to any kitchen or camper. It offers excellent performance, convenience, and versatility. The coffee pot brews a satisfying cup, while the toaster oven's settings are precise. Its compact size fits well on countertops, and the retro design adds a charming touch.
With features like accommodating loose tea, providing instant hot water, and being left-hand friendly, it caters to various preferences. Whether making cookies, biscuits, or a hearty breakfast sandwich, it delivers delicious results.
Despite lacking a temperature setting for the toaster, its overall functionality and aesthetic appeal make it a worthy choice. Upgrade your kitchen or camper with this breakfast station and enjoy its retro charm, space-saving design, and cost-saving benefits.