ISO a quality toaster - who has one they actually like?

I'm not looking for toaster oven (as discussed on this thread), I'm looking for a dedicated toaster. I have a great one by Krups at my office but after a fairly exhaustive search, I've come to learn that it's a model that's no longer available. I have a Waring right now that absolutely sucks.

Anyone have a toaster they like well enough to recommend?

Thanks,

=R=

Well, drats. I was going to recommend Krups, as we have had one for several years now that has worked like a champ from day one. Probably the same model as yours that has been discontinued ... (I looked on the toaster, but couldn't find a model number.)

sdbond wrote:Well, drats. I was going to recommend Krups, as we have had one for several years now that has worked like a champ from day one. Probably the same model as yours that has been discontinued ... (I looked on the toaster, but couldn't find a model number.)

My default is to buy another Krups but as you know, things change. I don't know if their newer units work as well as the ones made 6-7 years ago and showrooms stocking toasters are tough to find these days.

What I love about the Krups at my office -- aside from the fact that it toasts very evenly -- is a feature that allows for one-handed locking of the toasted bread in an easily-grabbable position. The same lever that drops the untoasted bread into the toasting chamber can also be cranked in reverse and locked into a position that leaves the upper couple inches of the toasted bread a couple inches clear of the top of the toaster, so it can be easily removed without burning one's fingertips. I'd love to find an available unit that toasts as well as the old one and also has this additional feature, which I've not found on other consumer units.

=R=

HI,

This may not be what you want, though it is what I have done: I have bought via e-Bay. These units can range from gently used to refurbished to new in the box.

An alarm clock received for my 12th birthday was replaced twice on e-Bay. The last time purchased it was new in the box and never used. It has a dim light, which is a big feature for me.

Regards,

We have a Cuisinart that works nicely--I just checked and while the arm works in "reverse" to allow you to raise the toast up to remove it from the toaster, it doesn't have a locking feature to keep it there.

ronnie_suburban wrote:My default is to buy another Krups but as you know, things change. I don't know if their newer units work as well as the ones made 6-7 years ago and showrooms stocking toasters are tough to find these days.

Not that tough to find. Pay a visit to ABT. They've got high end toasters like the Krups on dsplay in the kitchen equipment area. Of course, you've got to BYOB if you actually want to make toast.

I don't have this toaster but I am posting it as it is one of the strangest toasters I have ever seen. Its by Bodum.

It comes in a variety of colors including pink. I've liked a few bodum products so FWIW, check it out. (don't buy it just look at it LOL)

http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-10709-913US ... B0026L6LAY

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:My default is to buy another Krups but as you know, things change. I don't know if their newer units work as well as the ones made 6-7 years ago and showrooms stocking toasters are tough to find these days.

Not that tough to find. Pay a visit to ABT. They've got high end toasters like the Krups on dsplay in the kitchen equipment area. Of course, you've got to BYOB if you actually want to make toast.

You may have better odds of them letting you test the toasters if you bring some Polish or Russian rye bread!

A few years ago Cook's recommended a 4-slice toaster that we bought, and really really like. But I looked on their website and couldn't find it. I *think* it's a fancy designer version of Hamilton Beach. It has some pretty good control possibilities (bagel, one-side, etc.), and, as Cook's noted, it does NOT burn toast. The only downside is that it is slow. But we sure love it, after four years already.

Geo

ronnie_suburban wrote:

sdbond wrote:Well, drats. I was going to recommend Krups, as we have had one for several years now that has worked like a champ from day one. Probably the same model as yours that has been discontinued ... (I looked on the toaster, but couldn't find a model number.)

My default is to buy another Krups but as you know, things change. I don't know if their newer units work as well as the ones made 6-7 years ago and showrooms stocking toasters are tough to find these days.

What I love about the Krups at my office -- aside from the fact that it toasts very evenly -- is a feature that allows for one-handed locking of the toasted bread in an easily-grabbable position. The same lever that drops the untoasted bread into the toasting chamber can also be cranked in reverse and locked into a position that leaves the upper couple inches of the toasted bread a couple inches clear of the top of the toaster, so it can be easily removed without burning one's fingertips. I'd love to find an available unit that toasts as well as the old one and also has this additional feature, which I've not found on other consumer units.

=R=

R,

You're in luck! I was just belatedly reading my Dec/Jan issue of Cook's Country (brought to you by the same fine people as Cook's Illustrated), and they mentioned a toaster review. Their pick is the Kalorik Aqua 2-Slice Toaster, available at Target. The new Krups is not recommended. Here is a link to the on-line article, if you happen to have a subscription:

http://www.cookscountry.com/equipment-r ... ers/26744/

Sharon

The state of toasters and countertop appliances for the home has never been worse.
Most have moved manufacturing off shore and cheapened the appliance to where they are just about worthless. A few years ago to furnish a kitchen remodeling we had done i purchased all Kitchenaid Pro-Line countertop appliances including a four slice toaster.
The toaster was replaced once for faulty circuitry that was causing fires, is made in China, has a manual lift which is OK and generally works OK but is no longer in the Kitchenaid listing being replaced by newer and different models. And therein lies part of the problem. to source off shore, these companies just look for the cheapest manufacturing and the designs change frequently so the toaster you purchased yesterday is not the toaster you can purchase today or repair easily.
I have started a change over to commercial appliances not manufactured in China. My first was Robot Coupe a stick mixer 190 Combi, http://www.robotcoupeusa.com/products/p ... .php?id=85 the first manufacturer of the Cuisinart food processor and still made in France. It is a well made product made to be serviced over it's lifetime. A Robot Coupe food processor will soon replace the Kitchenaid.
As for a toaster, I have my eye on this Hobart model http://www.toasterworld.com/hobart-etseries.html , pricey but at least it will last a long time.-Dick

sdbond wrote:R,

You're in luck! I was just belatedly reading my Dec/Jan issue of Cook's Country (brought to you by the same fine people as Cook's Illustrated), and they mentioned a toaster review. Their pick is the Kalorik Aqua 2-Slice Toaster, available at Target. The new Krups is not recommended. Here is a link to the on-line article, if you happen to have a subscription:

http://www.cookscountry.com/equipment-r ... ers/26744/

Sharon

Good reviews @ http://www.amazon.com/Kalorik-850-Watt- ... B000TUPJNY

budrichard wrote:The state of toasters and countertop appliances for the home has never been worse.

Tell me about it. I had an Oster long slot wide toaster that I bought in 1998. It lasted 20 years and worked perfectly until finally the mechanism that held the toast down gave out in 2008. Since then I've gone through at least 3 or 4 toasters,none of which were even close to the Oster's performance.

Thanks everyone, for the input. Please, keep it coming.

$1,000.00 for a toaster . . . it does seem excessive but good toast is worth a lot to me.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Thanks everyone, for the input. Please, keep it coming.

$1,000.00 for a toaster . . . it does seem excessive but good toast is worth a lot to me.

=R=

And it has a full ONE year warrenty.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Thanks everyone, for the input. Please, keep it coming.

$1,000.00 for a toaster . . . it does seem excessive but good toast is worth a lot to me.

=R=

We have a similar one at work (also Hobart, but probably not the same model). I don't think it toasts very well at all. You have to turn to the dark side to get any color on the toast. It takes a long time. And the openings are narrow so it cannot easily accomodate anything in a non sandwich slice shape.

I have heard a dualite toaster is good. They are on sale. Don't think you need to pay a thousand for a good one!!! Not worth it!!!


If you go to the site Mr. Rebates you can get cash back on each of your purchases. I am not a shill for this site but I shop mostly on line and I've gotten checks back for hundreds of dollars, totalling up to over a thousand or more over the past years. Trick is you have to remember to enter your shopping website of choice through the Mr. Rebates portal before purchasing anything. From any Chef's purchase, you will get an additional six percent rebate back. Really worth it, try it. Not a scam!!!

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/255 ... aster.aspx

Also there is a chrome version of the Bodum toaster that got good reviews. I like the looks of this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-10709-16US- ... roduct_top

I blush to say it, but my morning toast is made by slicing my own home-made loaf, buttering the slices, and tossing 'em in a Pyrex pan to heat up to my desired doneness (which varies, on different days) in a 375-degree oven. Takes ten minutes, maybe.

Tastes just fine, and costs not one extra dime. This summer's brandy-preserved peaches go with it well, mashed up into a spread.

I was toaster-hunting a little while ago and was also disappointed by what is available out there. I ended up with this Breville. Fairly happy with it - the progress ticker is nice, the 'toast ready sound alert' is @!$%ing annoying! Whilst it does have extra lift (in fact, it also lets you haul the bread up and check it without interrupting the cycle, which is handy), it is not lockable in this position.

I own two H-B Michael Graves toasters, which Cook's recommended. Slow but excellent. Unfortunately, it looks like this model is extinct. However the present model looks pretty mechanically similar, might be worth a look:

http://www.target.com/p/Hamilton-Beach- ... A-10808654

Geo

It's only available online. I just ordered it! Thanks for the tip. It got really good reviews, too.

While doing a search for American-made products, I stumbled across the following site http://www.toastercentral.com/

It appears that they sell refurbished American made vintage toasters, and also a brand new wide slot industrial beauty for $ 285.00. We are very happy with our four slice Breville, otherwise I would seriously consider buying that toaster.

In regard to price, I personally couldn't justify spending a thousand dollars on the toaster mentioned upthread, but we were a little extravagant when we spent around $ 300 on a commercial Bunn pourover coffee maker about ten years ago. No problems whatsoever, and if any did arise, all the parts are replaceable.

I have a 4 slice Cuisinart that has never worked right.

Frankly, a toaster that costs $1000 should come with someone to operate it.

Lots of great information here (including what to avoid). I'm still shopping, so please keep the replies coming.

=R=

We're waiting with bated breath Ronnie! Keep us posted on your progress (or not).

Geo

Geo wrote:We're waiting with bated breath Ronnie! Keep us posted on your progress (or not).

Geo

LOL . . . will do!

=R=

We use the world-renowned Hello Kitty toaster, available at your local target stores.

Quite frankly, it's a piece of crap. The toast is lighter on one side due to the hello kitty face that, when toasted looks more like a pale blob on the side of your toast. The bagel settings give you one bagel facing the kitty face and one facing the hotter direction. The only redeeming quality that this toaster possesses, is that you can't get too mad at it, because there's an adorable Hello Kitty is staring at you.

I've never seen a toast-the-logo style toaster that has done a good job of toasting or logo imprinting, though my mom's Mickey Mouse toaster DOES blare the Mickey Mouse Club March when your toast is ready (which is admittedly pretty cool.)

Overall, the toaster is a disappointment, but the Hello Kitty Waffle Iron makes some the of the best waffles I've ever had, if you're ever in the market.

Consumer Reports tests top toasters

Consumer Reports’ testers found it’s actually not so easy to find a toaster that turns out evenly browned toast.

Duh!

When all the tests were done, the $80 Cuisinart CPT-420 topped the ratings. It consistently delivered evenly toasted bread with the push of a button. For much less, the Hamilton Beach 22502 is a Best Buy for $35. Though it has fewer features, it rated excellent for toasting evenly. If you are making toast for a crowd, Consumer Reports says a very good four-slice toaster is the $50 Hamilton Beach Digital 24502.

My favorite toaster is a delonghi four slice. It has two extra long slots that work out great for round loaves when you cut out slices from the center of the loaf. It was $40 several years ago. Electronic controls, etc.

Darn, no pictures that I could find.

The problem with any ratings is really two fold in today's market.
First is that there is no testing of reliability, these toasters at these price points are simply not designed for the long term.
Secondly is that the seller's switch manufacturers at a whim. None of the brands make the toasters themselves, so the toaster you test today my not be the toaster that you purchase.
I have not gotton up the confidence to purchase the Hobart toaster since the Kitchenaid Pro Line Toaster is performing quite nicely, even toast and more importanly toasts bagels very nicely.
But it was pricey and Made in China.
If it needed replacement parts, I doubt that there are any.-Dick