I just bought a Chefmate CMTOV320 and was reading the manual when I came across something very disturbing.  Bold letters: Plasticizer Warning.  (Don't ask me what 'plasticizer' means.)  Here is the text of the warning.

'CAUTION: To prevent Plasticizers from migrating from the finish of the countertop or tabletop or other furniture, place NON-PLASTIC coasters or placemats between the appliance and the finish of the countertop or tabletop.

Failure to do so may cause the finish to darken, permanent blemishes may occur or stains can appear.'

Anybody know what this means?  Apparently Chefmate is a Target brand, although it doesn't mention any manufacturer's details such as name or contact info.  I called Target but was relegated to someone who didn't know anything about this.  (At least I tried.)

So is my toaster oven made out of plastic???????  It's the perfect size, color and style.  But if I can't use it, then I'll have to start my search for another brand ASAP.

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

It just means what it says.  The heat from the your toaster oven will heat the surface you put your toaster oven on.  The results can and will be damaging to surfaces that have a plastic substance in them, such as arborite, etc. 

If you want to prevent that, you will have to put something under your toaster oven to prevent heat damage. 

If you find your toaster oven is not all that hot on the outside/underside, you might be able to use a cork pad, but because cork can burn as well,  it would be wiser to use a heat tolerant ceramic tile, which you can purchase from any tile store.  But the unfinished side of the tile can scratch the countertop, so I would put something under it, like felt or thin cork.

Also, if the toaster oven is very hot on the sides and back, you might want to put heat protection on those sides that are near the backsplash of the counter as well (if the backsplash has plastic substance in it).  If your backsplash has tiles, then you may not have to.  But keep an eye on it.  Sometimes the grout between the tiles can turn color from the heat as well.

Hope this helps you.  Sorry, but I haven't been on this site for some time.  Just rejoined today.

Doreen