I need recommendations for a new toaster! for Questionland Seattle

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I need recommendations for a new toaster!

With a small flash of light after just depressing the handle the bread rose this morning undone and with the old toaster definitely DONE (or you could say it was "TOAST"). Now, no tears, it was a two slice toaster that we picked up for about six and half bucks a good decade ago at some 'Mart, maybe S-Mart (extra brownie points if anyone knows the slogan for that store, where it is located, or who worked there - NO fair Googling it).

So will probably go new toaster hunting soon. Just thought I would ask Qland residents what ones they have that they really like and why. I guess it would be nice to have wide slots (fairly standard now) and two slice is probably good enough (especially considering real estate it costs counterwise) but am open to any suggestions of shape, size or multiple function stuff from folks in love with their official best toast making appliances.

Russ Campbell, NWEBS asked in Cooking Tips & Tricks 4 months ago | Report

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I spent the extra money on a kitchenaid toaster and have never regretted it. The slots are wide enough for thicker slices, and there is a good range of timing on it. It has a little light that comes on when you turn it on, and a single penetrating beep when done. If it is not on at the wall the turn on switch let's you know rather than having the sad experience of waiting waiting waiting but no toast.... There is an easily removable crumb tray for cleaning.

The best thing about it though, is that it does not work by a pop up spring, but rather a lever that raises the toast when done. This is brilliant, you can adjust the height of the bread in the slot, and when it is done, you can leave it in there where it stays warmer, rather than it popping up and cooling while you find the butter.

And it is a nice red retro looking beast. Love it.

ozchick answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks 4 months ago | Report

5 comments by Sacrelicious, Russ Campbell, NWEBS, and Russ Campbell, NWEBS…

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Seconded. Kitchenaid is great, and toasters are definitely one of the appliances worth paying the extra money for.

Brought to you by my childhood lineup of cheap-ass toasters that lasted about a year apiece.

Sacrelicious commented 4 months ago | Report

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I really appreciated the specific brand recommendation and discussion of features. I have to admit I had looked at those, but here is the rest of the story.

We went to Bed Bath & Beyond and saw their limited selection and then (*voice lowers, eyes look down*) took a walk over to the 'Mart and found a Black & Decker white model that looked functional and bought it for just under $17.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-TR1256W-850-Watt-Removable/dp/B003ZDNKRO

In the process of looking for a new one I was thrust back into the throes of thinking about design and construction, specifically avoidance of any PTFE (Teflon) as it can give off a gas when heated that is EXTREMELY DEADLY to birds. Cheaper is sometimes better because those appliances usually don't include those applications of expense adding steps like that.

When I got it home I turned it on and it STUNK when first operating (sometimes you forget how new manufactured appliances like these can be). So it now sits plugged in and sitting on the dryer in the garage where I actuate it every time I walk past it and I run out there to retrieve toast I am making in the morning. It is already getting better but will probably reside out there for a couple of weeks at minimum before being tried again inside.

It does make good toast and is good looking in a white/chrome plain sort of way. I will eventually have to make a dial to stick on to that chrome one or glue on some colored dots to the existing one, as reading those little white numbers against chrome is near impossible.

So, note to Sacrelicious: I wimped out for another cheap-ass toaster.

Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 4 months ago | Report

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Oh yeah, by the way, it was Ash from the Evil Dead series (ending in the Army of Darkness movie) that worked at S-Mart. As he said to the medieval crowd after demonstrating his shotgun (Bangstick):

"Shop smart, shop S-Mart"

Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 4 months ago | Report

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Well, I think Black and Decker does good stuff...far better than some of the generic brands. Good luck! I wish you the best of toast.

Sacrelicious commented 4 months ago | Report

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Thanks for the 'shroom Russ, Happy Toasting!

ozchick commented 4 months ago | Report

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If you want something cheerful with wide slots, why not a Hello Kitty toaster?!? hehe It even makes a weird, half-visible imprint of Hello Kitty on toast! :)

http://hellokittystuff.org/2011/02/20/lets-toast-with-the-hello-kitty-toaster/

Kristin Bell answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks 4 months ago | Report

4 comments by Russ Campbell, NWEBS, ozchick, and Kristin Bell…

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Although cute, for this house it would have to be a Hello Polly toaster. I couldn't find one but this was the closest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilou_2006/999843651/in/pool-31439672@N00/

It even puts a parrot on the toast:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilou_2006/999843763/in/pool-31439672@N00/

BTW, Glasurit is the manufacturer of high quality paint finishes used in many industries, most notably in automotive applications. I guess this toaster was some kind of high-end advertising or internal award specialty item.

Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 4 months ago | Report

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Wow! To both! I feel so mundane with my normal toast now....

ozchick commented 4 months ago | Report

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Oh Russ! I think you totally need to get that bird toaster!!! :)

Kristin Bell commented 4 months ago | Report

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It is a prized object in somebody's collection - not something that is really available. I did find a whole range of toasters on O.co that are designed to put football and baseball team logos on toast.

Here is the New York Yankees model (not my team folks, just being used for example):
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Pangea-New-York-Yankees-Protoast-Toaster/5777882/product.html

Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 4 months ago | Report

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Tracy M

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Well, huh. I was SO excited to recommend the Kalorik toaster that we got (through a Woot sale) 2 years ago. It's super stylish (not something I thought I'd care about in a toaster, but it makes me smile every day, sitting there on the counter, all retro and cute), but apparently it's discontinued. This link should show you a pic, anyways. http://www.compactappliance.com/TO25244-Kalorik-Aztec-Copper-2-Slice-Toaster-With-Bun-Warmer/TO25244,default,pd.html?mtcpromotion=GoogleBase%3EKitchen_Housewares%3EKitchen_Electrics%3EToaster_Oven%3ETO25244&src=SHOPDISCOUNT#description

I will say that it's got wide slots, that it toasts well, and the "bun warmer" basket (while silly) is kinda nice, too.

The current version is ugly (in my opinion), so I don't know that I'd bother http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM1626425701P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM1077852201 Bummer, eh?

This model (with FOUR slots) is kinda interesting, at least http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM501659701P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM1588565001

Hmmm, so this "answer" isn't very helpful, I guess. I will say that the brand, while pricey for a toaster, has been pretty darn good (was surprised to find it better than our previous $9 toaster from Target that we had for years). So, I guess if you can find a Kalorik that looks nice to you, give it a try.

Otherwise, Kitchenaid has been reliable in most products, so I'm sure their toasters are good, too.

Tracy M answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks 4 months ago | Report

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That copper Kalorik you have is really a very cool looking toaster!
Thanks for sending the link.

It may be worth repairing if it ever breaks down. Not something that is really easily done, but I am a bit of a tinkerer and would work on it myself if it were mine when that time came. Contact me if it ever heads for toaster heaven.

See the other comments for the rest of the story of my toaster quest - not a tale of triumph but more acquiescence and settling (with some info of having avians living in the house).

Russ Campbell, NWEBS commented 4 months ago | Report

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