Easy Bake Ovens have been a beloved children’s toy for generations, allowing kids to make their own mini baked goods. However, there has been some confusion around whether these classic toys have been discontinued in recent years.
The History of Easy Bake Ovens
Easy Bake Ovens first hit the market in 1963 after being invented by Ronald Howes. The original Easy Bake Oven was powered by two 100-watt incandescent light bulbs and could bake small cakes and cookies. It was an immediate hit, and by 1997 over 16 million Easy Bake Ovens had been sold.
Over the years, Easy Bake underwent some changes and new models were released. In 1963, the original Easy Bake Oven sold for $15.95 (around $140 today). By the late 1960s, there was both a deluxe avocado green model and a less expensive white model available.
In 1969, Kenner acquired Easy Bake Ovens. Through the 1970s, Easy Bake continued selling well alongside Kenner’s line of licensed toys like Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine and Star Wars action figures.
By 1980, Easy Bake Ovens employed a true heating element instead of lightbulbs. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many specialty models were released alongside classic Easy Bake, including Lunchtime Pizza Oven and Deluxe Bakery Oven.
There have been over 30 different Easy Bake Oven models since the original in 1963. While designs and heating methods changed, the toys maintained popularity for letting kids bake on their own throughout decades. However, in 2007, safety issues temporarily disrupted Easy Bake’s long reign.
The Easy Bake Recall of 2007
In February 2007, Easy Bake Ovens were voluntarily recalled after reports of kids getting their fingers caught in the oven doors, even after redesigns intended to prevent this. By April, Easy Bake ovens had been off shelves for months, and many thought this was the end for the iconic toy.
After revamping the design to eliminate trap doors and further ensure child safety, an updated Easy Bake Oven was released later in 2007. This comeback model used a true heating element and did not rely on light bulbs. By late 2009 over 1 million new Easy Bake Ovens had been sold, indicating the recall had not diminished popularity.
Discontinuation Rumors Circulate
In 2011, Hasbro became the owner of Easy Bake Ovens after acquiring the brand from Mattel. Under Hasbro, Easy Bake Ovens began to modernize. In 2012, a more stylized, computerized, and STEM-focused model was released. However, the new high-tech, tablet-inspired design failed to take off.
In 2013, rumors circulated that Easy Bake Ovens were being discontinued. While some stores, like Walmart, stopped carrying Easy Bake, Hasbro disputed claims of total discontinuation. They stated classic Easy Bake models would still be available through some retailers.
However, the poorly-received 2012 model was indeed discontinued after just a couple years. Hasbro revamped the design again, bringing back more classic features. In 2016, a new Easy Bake Ultimate Oven was launched, returning to a more traditional kid-sized oven design.
Current Status: Still Baked After All These Years
Despite various controversies and rumors of discontinuation, Easy Bake Ovens remain in production today. While availability has fluctuated across different retailers over the years, Easy Bake Ovens have managed to remain relevant since their invention in 1963.
As of 2023, the Easy Bake line includes both the Easy Bake Ultimate Oven and the Easy Bake Snack Center. The Ultimate Oven features a classic oven design that heats up to 175 degrees Fahrenheit to bake cookies, brownies, and cakes. Meanwhile, the Snack Center makes crispy treats and nachos using a heating element and non-stick pan.
Although designs, heating methods, and extra features have evolved, the core appeal remains baking in a real (mini) oven. Easy Bake Ovens may not be quite as omnipresent as they were in the 1960s and 70s, but kids today can still experience that same sense of wonder baking their own tiny cakes just like previous generations did.
Fun Facts and Memories
Beyond simply being an enduring children’s toy, Easy Bake Ovens are intertwined with decades of nostalgia and childhood memories. Here are some interesting facts that highlight their lasting cultural impact:
- The original 1963 Easy Bake Oven came in the classic turquoise and yellow colors, which were considered popular kitchen colors at the time.
- Over 500 million Easy Bake Ovens have been sold since the first model in 1963.
- The longest-running Easy Bake Oven TV commercial aired from 1969 to 1997, starring a number of different children who loved their ovens.
- In the 1990s, boys represented about 45% of Easy Bake owners, despite primarily being marketed to girls.
- A tower celebrating 50 years of Easy Bake Ovens was unveiled in Central Park in 2013, standing over 7 feet tall.
- The Smithsonian’s National Toy Hall of Fame inducted Easy Bake Ovens as one of 74 iconic toys that shaped play and cultural trends since their induction began in 1998.
- Many adults today fondly remember baking with their Easy Bake Ovens as kids. Mixes and pans were relatively affordable, fueling imaginative play.
Easy Bake Ovens have maintained relevance across generations because they allow independent, creative play and make baking accessible for kids. Although recipes, heating, and safety features changed with the times, Easy Bake’s core appeal persists.
Sales Performance Over the Years
Since their 1963 debut, Easy Bake Ovens have sold remarkably well over decades, despite some ups and downs. Here is a look at approximate global unit sales throughout the brand’s history:
| Years | Approximate Global Unit Sales |
|---|---|
| 1963 to 1966 | 500,000 |
| 1967 to 1977 | 7 million |
| 1978 to 1987 | 10 million |
| 1988 to 1997 | 16 million |
| 1998 to 2006 | 24 million |
| 2007 to 2009 | Significantly reduced due to recalls |
| 2010 to Present | Over 500 million total since 1963 debut |
Clearly, the years leading up to the recalls in 2007 represented the peak of Easy Bake Oven sales and popularity. However, steady sales continued after rebounding from the recalls. While not as dominant as their 1960s and 70s heyday, Easy Bake maintained relevance as a classic American toy.
Comparison to Other Toy Brands
Easy Bake Ovens stand out for their remarkably long lifespan compared to other hit toys. Very few toys remain on the market largely unchanged for decades like Easy Bake Ovens have. Here is how Easy Bake compares to some other top toys in longevity:
| Toy | Years on Market |
|---|---|
| Easy Bake Oven | 60+ years (1963 to Present) |
| Play-Doh | Over 60 years (1956 to Present) |
| Slinky | Over 70 years (1945 to Present) |
| Tickle Me Elmo | 25 years (1996 to Present) |
| Tamagotchi | 25 years (1996 to 2021) |
| Beanie Babies | 5 years (1993 to 1999) |
Very few toys have matched the multi-generational staying power of Easy Bake. It remains an iconic American toy brand alongside other classics like Slinky and Play-Doh. While some toys are fleeting fads, Easy Bake Ovens have baked up fun for over 60 years and counting.
Comparing Easy Bake Models Over Time
While keeping the same core function, Easy Bake Ovens have evolved across over 15 different models since 1963. Here is an overview of how the key Easy Bake Oven features changed over time:
| Year | Heat Source | Design Style | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Two 100W Light Bulbs | Turquoise and Yellow | First Easy Bake Oven |
| 1969 | 100W Light Bulbs | Avocado Green or White | Second generation models |
| 1980 | True Heating Element | Wooden Decals Added | Solid metal doors added |
| 1990s-2000s | Heating Element | Various Colors and Designs | Specialty models released |
| 2007 | Heating Element | Revamped Safety Features | Improved Door Design |
| 2012 | Heating Element | Digital, Tablet-Like | High-tech model |
| 2016-Present | Heating Element | Classic Oven Design | Currently sold models |
While Easy Bake Ovens started with light bulbs as the heat source, they evolved to use true heating elements by the 1980s for better baking. Safety improvements and cosmetic changes happened gradually over decades. But the core concept always stayed the same – a real working mini oven for kids.
Conclusion
Easy Bake Ovens have become timeless American toys since their debut in the 1960s. Despite some temporary discontinuation fears and redesigns, Easy Bake Ovens remain on the market today and continue letting kids experience the joy of baking.
Classic Easy Bake Ovens have sold over 500 million units over the past 60+ years and became ingrained in childhoods across generations. The brand overcame controversies like the 2007 recalls and proved the enduring appeal of accessible, independent baking experiences.
Easy Bake Ovens earned an iconic spot in toy history thanks to decades of delighting kids and creating family memories. While availability fluctuated, Easy Bake Ovens were never permanently discontinued despite rumors. This beloved toy seems poised to bake up fun for future generations to come.