Do I have to get a Dualit to get decent toast?

[partystress]

On our 3rd toaster in 3 years (including one of the "cheap" Dualits, which after 15 months began toasting one side only ). Latest was GH recommended, but won't take a normal sized sliced loaf and leaves untoasted edges even on the bits of bread that DO fit in.

Really don't want to spend £150 on a toaster, but do want my day to start with nice toast. Any recommendations please?

I had a Dualit that needed a new element after 3 years. New element cost £46. I bought an Asda toaster for £10, which last many, many years - about 8. It is still going strong but we have replaced it with a Morphy Richards 4 slice job, selected mainly because it is red.

Read the reviews on Amazon about dualit. I really wanted one but after reading those I went for a DeLonghi one instead which is fab (but I've only had it a few weeks)

Our Dualit has 2 controls, one a switch for 2 or 4 slices, sometimes set for 2 when I want 4, but thats because I forget to change it.
The other is a dial for time. About 2 minutes usually does good toast, it just clicks around for 2 minutes and then there is a lever to raise the toast.

We like it because it is simple, and works. I wouldn't go for one with more technology than that. Simplcity means it still works, and is easy to get fixed.

I love this thread, as after many years of having ridiculously complex thoughts about Dualit toasters both pleasant and unpleasant, I got one recently.

Having lost all sense of reality in terms of money, I also got the toasted sandwich making accessory. I still think I was insane, in total I spent £187 (couldn't find it on offer anywhere).

I like it. But it better not break.

Best toast in the world is AGA toast. might cost about £9,850 more than a Dualit though

my new Dualit element cost under £10. From Dualit.

Yes, elements are currently £7.64, plus shipping and, i assume, VAT.

Dualits are terrible. My dad upgraded from the £5 Hotpoint one that was about 12 years old to a Dualit that cost over £100.

Toast doesn't pop up so you don't know it's done and always end up with cold toast, and the toasting is uneven. Within 3 months Dad was trying to bribe me to take the Dualit away instead of the old toaster. I didn't.

I've currently got an Avanti from Robert Dyas that has all the 2-slice functions you could wish and does decent toast - it was about £20.

You do know when its done. It stops ticking.

Mmm, John Lewis one looks suspiciously like the Dualit one we had. We have a JL tumble dryer which has been so-so, and the guy who has trogged out several times to fix it said the JL own brands are bottom of the middle of the range, which they stock because no-one can claim the 'not knowingly undersold' thing, cos nobody else sells JL stuff...

I digress. Enough anti-Dualit posts to justify my reluctance to part with that much cash. Off to check out Brevilles... Thanks all.

i use oven grill, toast from a toaster always tastes awful for some reason (prob our cheap crap toaster)

I have laughed out loud so much reading this thread, my DH and I are comparing notes about our Dualit experiences !!!!

We do love our Dualit, 2 slice, its not prefect, but something about it is so cozy! Love the sound of the dial, love the lever, love the name, love TOAST!!!!