This use probably won't make it onto a toaster oven box or manual, but it was only too obvious for me.
How else can you encourage some pine cones to open up in the middle of a cold soggy winter when they've closed back up after laying on the ground for a month or two? And all closed up is NOT going to make the right crafting project. What's a botanist to do?
Toast them cones! Little toaster oven set to low is just the right size and not wasting too much energy to gently dry these cones out and give them the more expected look.
Anyone else had some inedible plant parts inside their oven?? It's an interesting aroma too, woody, slightly piney and a hint of burnt (though they were not at all). Not exactly the pleasant wafts of baking bread.