Recommend me a toaster!

[justasoul]

Please

About 10 years ago, in a broken toaster emergency, I popped to Asda and bought a £10 toaster, “just until we pick one we like”. Well, now the emergency toaster is broken and I would rather not buy another emergency one - but there’s just so many that my head is 🤯.

The only criteria is that it would like it to really fit taller/wider bread, it seems we were forever re toasting the white bits then the middle gets a bit charred… you get the picture. Bonus points if it’s 2 slices, any other extras welcome.

We bought a Breville toaster around 15 years ago. Still going really strong. Consistently toasts the same on whatever setting you use, and can do up to 4 slices, which adds a bit of flexibility. Even the numbers on the dial are still legible.

About twenty years ago I picked up a three slice Dualit toaster at a boot fair for £3. Goodness knows how old it was when I bought it but it’s still going strong today. It doesn’t do anything fancy and occasionally I have to turn the bread over as it’s too tall, but I can’t fault its longevity. When it does eventually die, I’ll take the hit on the expense and buy a new one.

Ooh numbers still legible is impressive! Ours went a long long time ago Breville seems to do quite well on Which reviews - but even Which has too many best buys, so really helpful to narrow it down. Thank you ☺️

Dualit all the way!

Ooh lasting 20+ years is definitely worth the investment!

Sage

@justasoul they are also made in the U.K.

They repair them so you could end up passing it on in your will!

Very relieved at the love for Dualit, have had the 4-slice Architect toaster and matching kettle in my John Lewis basket since the weekend , trying to justify the outlay . Decision made !

Do you have an air fryer? I toast everything in that - no need for a toaster.

We had that problem a month ago. After all the debating, my mum convinced us a multifunction air fryer / grill / toaster is the way to go. It's been amazing, it is probably a bit on the slow side for toasting a slice but the machine is a dream for making all sorts including making toastie (the toastie maker is now given away), heating pizzas, fried chicken n chips, and when needed toasting 6 slices of bread. It's quite a bit bigger than a regular toaster though.

I don't have an air fryer (yet). I'm going to be honest and say I hardly ever use the toaster myself, just the odd muffin or bagel, I much rather fry my bread on a frying pan! But DH uses it every morning pretty much, and DD occasionally.

For those of you with Dualits, do you have the toastie cage? Is it any good?

Dualit. Absolutely no other toaster will do.

@just yes I have the toastie cage, I have used it and it works perfectly. Just don’t use thick bread. I don’t actually use the cage that much but I did get the muffin/bun grid to go on top and I use that all the time. Hope this helps you.

If you're not talking Dualit budget I recommend this Breville one. I bought it purely based on the fact that it fits a whole slice. It feels very lightweight but works fine.

I never got around to getting a new toaster when mine died (20 years ago) and was using the grill for occasional toasting. Then I got an airfryer and it's a game changer on the toasting front! Bagels in 2 mins (evenly done, no catching), crumpets, HCBs, and bread... I put all everything apart from bread just flat into the basket, but I stand bread up as if I was making a house of cards (so 2 pieces leaning diagonally on each other) and it works a treat. I definitely don't have worktop space for a toaster and an air fryer and the latter has been a game changer (for food prep in general - not just toasting!)

Ohh sounds interesting, thank you. We use our toastie maker quite a bit, so all these accessories sound great. Thank you!

That one sounds very good, thank you. I think I need to make a spreadsheet.

@justasoul just remember the toast doesn’t pop up when it’s done. You use the little lever to look at the progress then take the toast out once it’s done to your liking. This can take a bit of getting used to but I now I know no other way. It’s a fabulous toast and given me year and years of service. I just looked it up on the Dualit website and it’s now £219 with the sandwich cage. I definatly got a bargain but I’d definatly pay the two hundered quid for a new one if I had too. They are made to order….

I have to say the main reason putting me off getting an air fryer is where the hell am I going to put it 😅I think I need to have a think about this! Thank you!