Middle for baking and most cooking, top for broiling and melting, bottom for tall food and roasts. In a small oven, an inch closer to an element changes the result, so the rack does more work than in a full-size oven.
What the position changes
Distance from each element. Closer to the top element: faster browning on top. Closer to the bottom: a crisper base and a paler top. In a toaster oven the elements are only inches away, so the difference is much larger than in a full-size oven.
Which position for what
| Food | Rack position |
|---|---|
| Toast, bagels | Middle (or as the manual says) |
| Cookies, muffins, small cakes | Middle or lower |
| Loaf of bread, tall cake | Lowest, for headroom |
| Roast chicken pieces, vegetables | Middle |
| Broiling, melting cheese, browning a top | Top, watched closely |
| Pizza | Middle or lower, for a crisp base |
How many positions toaster ovens have
Three positions: the Breville Mini Smart Oven — in a cavity only 4 inches tall — and the Elite Gourmet French-door, with 13.25 × 13.5 × 8.95 inches inside.
Two slide positions: the Elite Gourmet 4-slice.
None published: the Hamilton Beach, the BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 and the Dash.
Tips for a small cavity
- Leave an inch between food and the top element, more for anything that rises.
- Turn the pan halfway, front to back, because the door side runs cooler.
- Use an oven thermometer on the rack: the dial is a guide — see preheating and what it is for.
- Two trays? Only with three positions and a fan — see can I bake two trays at once in a toaster oven.
See the toaster ovens page for every oven on this site.
What readers want to know
Which rack position is best for baking a cake in a toaster oven?
The lowest or middle position that keeps the top of the cake at least an inch or two below the top element. In a small cavity, the top element browns the surface long before the middle is done. Lower the temperature by about 25 °F and lay foil loosely on top if it colors too fast. See how do I know when a cake is done.
Where should the rack go for toast?
Usually the middle position, which most makers set up so both elements reach the bread evenly; your manual may name one. For broiling or melting cheese, move it to the top position, close to the element, and watch closely.
Does a convection fan change which rack I use?
It evens out the cavity, so the position matters less — but not nothing. Food near an element still browns first on that side. Use the middle by default, and turn or swap trays halfway. See what does convection do in a toaster oven.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026