Dualit Toasters

[Leeds2]

Have been given a gift voucher which I want to put towards a Dualit Toaster. I have always wanted one, but could never justify the cost! Have been online to have a look and, frankly, was bewildered at the choice. Can anyone recommend the model they have, or tell me why it is one I should avoid?!

I have a 4 slice copper one. I got it when I got a new kitchen, and it replaced an identical white one, which I passed onto my son.

They are a bit clunky, but last forever. This is partly because they are well made, partly because they have few features (eg the pop-up feature is manual, and it is on or off - no temperature controls) and largely because every bit of it can be replaced if it fails. My white one was the Trigger's broom of toasters, but I had it for about 20 years with four of us all using it every day. They are worth the money on that basis alone, and I think they look good. I have the matching kettle, and 2 years after I got them I still enjoy making breakfast with them.

I like the little holder things that go in the slots. I think you have to buy them separately these days, but they are worth it for anything shorter than an average slice of bread as they lift out with the toasted item intact.

That's all I can think of. I nearly got the see-through Magimix one when I swapped to the copper Dualit, but am pleased I didn't, as there is so much more to go wrong with it.

I’ve got the original chrome version of this one. I bought it in late 1980’s and it’s been brilliant. Just needs the crumb tray emptied now and then. Good for all breads and normal sized crumpets (not those giant Warburtons ones)

I think I paid about £90, which is great value for nearly 40 years of daily usage.
https://www.dualit.com/products/2-slice-newgen

An investment ☺️ Ours was 2nd hand 20 years ago and is easily repaired!

Don't buy the Lite ones as I don't think the elements are replaceable.

I used to work for Dualit in the 00s and mostly gave out instructions to people on how to change the element, a new element cost a fiver then.

I once had a customer with a 1960s toaster call up for a new element! They last forever.

Think about what you want your toaster to do - how many slices of toast? How big you want your toaster? My DP loves crumpets and I like a bagel.

We have a chrome 3 slice toaster. A 4 slice would be better for us but I bought it on FB for £10 years ago. I love it.

We got one for Christmas 2024 and it is the best toaster we have ever owned. It’s quicker than our previous none dualit ones, and as pp says, is repairable.
https://www.johnlewis.com/dualit-4-slice-newgen-classic-toaster/canvas-white/p231417651?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappiosY29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

We have this one. We chose it because it has a small footprint for a 4 slicer, and you can control each side separately: https://www.dualit.com/products/4-slot-gloss-lite-toaster?variant=45452829065527

It's a good toaster. Not always 100% even toasting, but perfectly manageable.

From memory we got it in a sale, probably about 9 or 10 years ago. Not sure I'd fork out for a new one when it dies. But it's perfectly good.

We have one with two 'toast' slots and one extra wide with a cage for toasted sandwiches. It is about 30 years old and has had the elements replaced once. I think they may now do one with just the two extra wide slots so you can do two toasted sandwiches at once (this is what I would buy today).

We have this in chrome. Our first (two slice) Dualit was at least 15 years old and going strong when it set fire to toast. We had family dog sitting who didn’t realise the timer dial had broken.
They also didn’t realise you can get repairs so threw it away and replaced it with a modern plastic toaster.
Which was kind of them but the minute that needed replacing we bought another Dualit.

Have 4 slice chrome one. Love it!! And the architect kettle

I also like that you can lift the lever and eject the toast to check if it’s brown enough, without cancelling the timer. Handy for crumpets.

Just a bit of a counter argument my mum bought one and hasn’t stopped complaining about it since. Doesn’t pop up so if you aren’t standing right next to it the toast can get burnt (since it stays next to the element). Weird shape (she says) that doesn’t fit a whole slice of anything in it. Glad to see others love them though!

I like that it doesn't pop up, as it keeps the toast warm for a while, as you sort out whatever morning emergency has arisen. Mine has never burnt when it's finished toasting.

The tall Scottish bread doesn't fit, but with the use of the cage things, pretty much everything else will - I think the Scottish bread needs a machine of its own, really.

We have the 4 slice chrome and love it DH’s parents have the same, it is nearly as old as him and still going strong!

We have the 3 slice chrome. Could really do with the 4 slice now we have 2 kids but I’ve had it since I left home at 18 meaning it predates even DH and it’s still flawless so seems wasteful to upgrade.

I bought a 6 slice Dualit toaster 15 years ago. It needs a new handle for the crumb tray, but has otherwise given us no trouble at all. I suspect it will outlive me!

Thanks for all your comments. I hadn't realised that they had such longevity, nor that they don't pop up. I will have to have a think about that! Don't you end up with toast that regularly burnt?

We have the two slice chrome one. My parents bought us it for a wedding present and that was 25 years ago and it’s still going strong.

They last forever (mine is over 15 years old) but are big and clunky. I wouldn’t buy again purely because of that. You can buy something slimmer and cheaper that is easier to tuck away in a cupboard when not in use.

We have a 6 slice Dualit. It was very expensive & we agonised over the cost. However it’s great, despite its chunkiness it’s used daily (several times-4 kids), easy to use & toasts to perfection.

I bought the 4 slice Architect one - the handle for two of the slots failed to stay down and start the toasting just a few weeks out of guarantee. Might be fixable but that was annoying.

The working pair of slots are fine, toast pops up when done and there’s a bagel option.

I’ve had my chrome 2 slice Dualit for 32 years, use it every day and have never had burnt toast (or had to replace any parts). Sounds like the previous poster’s DM just doesn’t understand how to use one.

We have the 4 slice chrome. To be honest, we don’t love it. Very clunky, hate the timer and no pop up, don’t think it toasts that evenly for the price, and it scratches easily. Much preferred the John Lewis copy we had before it but we are stuck with this one now 😆

We have this one which I am rather shocked to see we must have spent over £150 on, but it's lasted I think approx 15 years so far and is still in perfect working order. Haven't had to replace any parts. I can see it lasting many more years. Very happy with it.

Re the not popping up thing - I've never known it to keep toasting after the timer stops. The element goes off - it doesn't keep toasting the bread. My suspicion is that the PP's mother just set the timer for too long and burnt the toast.

I have a dualit lite 4 slice with warming rack. I bought it in 2021 and it’s working very well, with no cosmetic issues either.