I am a longtime fan of B&D toaster ovens. I have two right now which the top elements have burned out. After reading more about it, I believe it was caused by using tinfoil over food I didnt want to burn. This reflects heat back onto the upper heating elements and eventually destroys them, even if broil mode isnt used. The owners manuals tell you not to use tinfoil in them, so I believe this was the cause.
Unfortunately, the elements are almost impossible to replace, as the internal electrical connections are welded in place after the oven is assembled, You can’t use solder as the oven heat would eventually melt it. Crimping is another option, but nearly impossible to get access to adequately crimp. My plan was to rob the good lower elements from one of the units and put them in the top of the other, but it is a very challenging fix.