Is an easy bake oven a waste of $?

[loco4dis]

I think maybe your daughters used one several years ago, from the way you worded your post? You might not be aware that 2 years ago they recalled the Easy Bakes that we knew and loved (or just wanted). Back then they were kinda fun, but the ones post-recall are just junk. The bulb was getting so hot that people were burning themselves on it, so now the bulb can't get hot enough to burn aka hot enough to "bake".

I think that even 3 years ago I would have a different answer (and I have a boy who would have loved one of them), and when we bought one for our nieces I was bummed that DS wasn't in the recommended age range yet, but then they were recalled and I saw what came out after, and was very very disappointed.

Yeah, I'm talking about like 10 years ago. Didn't know they were recalled. No more 100-watt bulb? That can't be! The bulb IS the Easy-Bake oven.

 

[pantherlj]

Well, I hate to agree to disagree but.....my DGD has one here at my house and she just loves when she comes over because it is her most favorite thing to do. We bake cakes an cookies all day. Yes, the mixes are expensive but she is so excited that she has her own oven to cook in. Yes,. we could bake in the real oven but why take that joy away from her for such a short time. They are junk but good lord she has a great time with it, so I'm going to say that it is worth it. Did any of that make any sense?

Do a google search for easy bake oven recipes - you can make your own recipes up for much less money and it's more fun!

 

[jennilynn510]

Good morning everyone! I was on walmart online this morning checking out their web only specials and saw that they have an easy bake oven bundle. Last year my dd wanted the disney princess one and we bought it for her, but it was total junk IMO. I know she would love an easy bake one, since she still tries to use the princess one.

I always wanted one when I was a little girl, and never got one so I'd love to get it for her too, if it is fun. I know I can bake with her for real with our oven and we do (and she does with my dad who is a chef!) but the idea of her having her own oven is what makes it fun. Does anyone have it? If so, do you like it or is it junk? What would I need to buy now for it so she has a fairly good starter set?

TOTAL TOTAL WASTE !!! how about a new apron to bake w/ dad

 

[mcgrawfan]

Interesting thoughts on the Easy Bake Oven. Any thoughts on the Cupcake Maker. Which really just looks like a decorator and you cook the cupcakes in the microwave.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I bought one for each of my girls & it was a waste of money - one overn, we never even opened the package & the other one is taken out very infrequently. I bake with them & my dh bakes with them & I would rather have spent the money on their own utensils & stuff.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Easy Bake Oven was one of my favorite toys as a kid and my DD loved hers, but you have to have the HOT bulb, and since you can't get those any more I bet they arn't as good. My DD is 14, so hers is pre-recall.
So, while I have no experience with the new ones, I have to agree the bulb makes the oven. Sad they recalled them after all these years.

 

[pantherlj]

Interesting thoughts on the Easy Bake Oven. Any thoughts on the Cupcake Maker. Which really just looks like a decorator and you cook the cupcakes in the microwave.

I saw that in a magazine (good housekeeping maybe?) as a top pick for the 8+ crowd. Gets mixd reviews on toys r us and amazon

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3029033

http://www.amazon.com/Jakks-Pacific-Gourmet-Cupcake-Maker/dp/B0017HGGDU

 

[r4blessings]

Ok everyone, thanks for crushing my dreams of an easy bake oven! Dreams die hard I guess! LOL!

We do have the Pink Princess cookbook and also the Mermaid cookbook and they are awesome! And my dad got her the pottery barn apron two years back along with her own bakeware. Oh well.....I know I'm the one who really wants it more, but I guess now that they've changed it....its really not worth it.

Thanks for all your opinions! Dis reviews rock!

 

[momx2]

One word......YES!

 

[fakereadhed]

Yes, it's a waste of money. Like most toys. But it's tons of fun for the kids and my girls have fond memories of waiting forever for a lightbulb to cook a tiny brownie they would split. They were talking about this the other day and they are teens. Priceless!

 

[disneychrista]

I a with the majority for my kids it was a waste.

For me, growing up in the 70's I had a Holly Hobbie oven (same idea) and I loved it. Used it all the time.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Check out this site!
This stuff looks really cute!

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/kids-cooking-kits.html

 

[buzz5985]

I totally disagree with most folks here. An Easy-Bake Oven is a rite of passage gift for most little girls. It is the toy I remember most as a child, and I am pushing 50 years old. My childhood wouldn't have felt complete without it. I remember making those silly little cakes for my dad and watching him eat them and say how delicious they were — so I'd rush back and make him another. Whenever my girlfriends and I reminisce about childhood, someone always brings up the Easy-Bake Oven and we all go "Oh my God! I lovvvvved it! I remember exactly which Christmas i got it!"

My daughters had one, and they loved it, too. True, it wasn't used a lot, but I know they will remember using it more than probably any other toy. And, yes, they are a pain with the little pans and the expensive mixes, but heck, we're talking about maybe a two- to three-year window in their childhood here.

Easy-Bake Ovens rock!

I'll be 50 next year - and I remember my Dad eating his cakes and going and making him more. Uncles also loved them. LOL I think my Mom gave me regular cake mix to use in it.

I have little boy. I'm really sad now that DH will never have that experience.

Janis

 

[shortbun]

simply put, yes. Find a used one for $5.

 

[shortbun]

I'll be 50 next year - and I remember my Dad eating his cakes and going and making him more. Uncles also loved them. LOL I think my Mom gave me regular cake mix to use in it.

I have little boy. I'm really sad now that DH will never have that experience.

Janis

HUH? Boys don't cook? Mine did. He had an easy bake, matter of fact. These days men cook and it's ok for little boys to know that. My 13yo son makes dinner twice a week for us, does laundry, cleans the bathroom, sweeps, dusts and does the dishes. Your 'little boy' is gonna have a 'little girl/partner' someday who will thank you for allowing him to learn what makes a household tick. Get him an Easybake-used-and allow your husband the glory(eww!) of eating what his son cooks. lol!

 

[Cindi0511]

I personally think it's a waste because the stuff is inedible in our experience. I'd rather just really bake in the real oven. But, if you can find one cheap on clearance or at a garage sale, you won't feel bad about wasting money on it. Good luck either way!

P.S. My mom had all of my brothers cooking and cleaning right along with us girls who had to mow the grass, etc. All of my sisters-in-law thank her!! Manly men can cook and still be very manly men -- and their wives are very grateful!

 

[catne]

Oh, this brings back memories...as a child I SOOOO wanted one of these, but no way would my folks afford something like that (a lot of our toys were refurbished Goodwill/garage sale finds.) Then my first 3 kids were boys. Finally had a girl, so when she got to "the age", I went right out & got her an easy-bake oven.

Yep, used maybe 2-3 times...and always a disappointing finished product. This was the old style (12 years ago) that did have the hot-enough light bulb so the cake did cook, but it was this itty-bitty thing. And the cake mixes used so much fake flavor & such the cakes tasted odd...not even like regular cake mixes.

My DD & her friends (apparently they were all victims of mommy-never-got-one-so-you're-getting-one!) all call them "cheezy-bake" oven because they think they were ripped off with this cheezy-product...fooled into thinking they were going to be able to make yummy treats with a kid-appliance. But instead getting something that falls apart, looks cheap & produces crummy tasting miniature stuff so small you really couldn't even share between two kids.

My suggestion would be to get a kid's recipe book, and buy some of the really fun bakeware available now like the cupcake-like pans that make mini bundt cakes and mini-bread loaves, as well as some fun cookie cutters.