Dualit toasters -worth the money?

[tubsywubsy]

We've got through loads of toasters in the past few years. They always seem to short out /go up in flames/just stop working. Our current model is the worst ever, it takes an age to toast bread to a satisfactory degree and the slots are too small for most slices, so you have to stop half way and turn the bread around to get it evenly toasted.Every time we go to buy a new one, we look at the Dualit toasters, but baulk at the price. I guess though, we could have bought one by now with the amount we've shelled out for all the others. So, are they any good and should we go for one this time? Your advice/ experiences would be very welcome.

Try Nisbets who sell to the catering trade, they have Dualits at good prices and in their interests to be reliable.

Well, thank you for all your replies. Had to go out to a tedious meeting, so it was fab to see so many responses on my return. It looks like those of you who are happy with your toasters bought them some time ago, so perhaps newer models are not as good as older versions.

Very happy with mine - but it's 15 years old. I've replaced 1 element since i got it but apart from that it has been wonderful.

I've also got the impression that the newer ones aren't as robust.

Those who are complaining of one sided toast - the replacement elements are under £10 and you just change them yourself. It is not rocket science.

Wouldn't buy again. Have one sided toast and the clockwork thing broke. It cost £38 to get repaired and I still have one sided toast.

Thanks for SoupDragon I shall investigate the replacement elements. Are you sure I won't be electrocuted?

I wasn't :o

IIRC, you just unscrew one, take it out and slot the new one in. The screws were a bit fiddly as they were at an angle but that's it.

I got my element from Dualit (who have an extortionate delivery charge - other places sell them though) and it came with easy instructions.

Ooh shall give it a go then. Will be sure to post a photo of me with crispy hair if it all goes wrong...

Unplug the toaster before you start

DO NOT get a new model, just to reiterate. We bough a four slice one (two long slots) in cream, £80 ish, looked the business but was utterly shite and the customer service was dire as we tried to get it looked at (it burnt one side and you could only use one setting) and they said nothing wrong with it. In the end, John Lewis took it back. They don't sell them now - NOT BLOODY SURPRISED!!!!

I was just thinking, as I sit here eating a roll toasted in my trusty 4 slice Dualit, just how fabulous the toaster is. It was a wedding present in 1998 (it's outlasted my marriage, by the way) and other than replacing one element (simplicity itself to do, full instructions given) it has worked tirelessly, survived three house moves, toasted everything and looks stylish.
I'm definitely feeling the Dualit love!

Agree with poster above somewhere who said don't get the cheaper colour coordinated ones. My DS had one and it lasted two minutes. Get industrial one - had mine years and has outlasted the four she's had in same space of time ( and more cost)

I can't help but have a sneaking suspicion that some people who complain about bread only toasting on one side are putting it on single slice but putting the toast in the wrong slot (as that is exactly what happens).

I also don't understand the complaint about lack of a pop up meaning your toast goes cold. It takes about 2 mins from a cold start. If you wander off to watch Lord of the Rings I guess it might be cold by the time the credits roll, but as long as you come back within 5 mins to eat it then it should be nice and, er...toasty.

The ticking noise irritates me but the sandwich bit is great for a quick snack without mess

our wedding present thick and thin has just gone after 16 years

i dont WANT a huge dualit one - plus i think they are a style cliche, has anyone got a SMALL one that doesnt hog the kitchen?

They are a design classic not a style cliche . Russell hobbs do good normal toasters

Yes - sick of £20 toasters dying spectacularly within weeks of the warranty ending, we forked out £80 for a dualit, figuring that if it lasted 4 years, we'd break even. We've had it 8 years now.

Loads of the parts are replaceable and there's no electronics to fail. It's all simple switches and clockwork!

they are like WEDDINGL PRESENT klaxon

plus the cost! they saw you all coming

our dualit is crap
only toasts one side half the time , it's a lucky morning when you get both sides done

I am not married! Ours is about 15+ years old i think.cheap ones do break but they also make toast so you take your chance. Dualit do a cheaper range lighter weight and smaller but still quality

htey are so BIG - they used to do side by side years ago - i want one of those

didn't realise this was an old thread and i'd already posted

thats the one i have

Maureen - we have the simple 2 slice one. It sits quite happily at the back of a very crowded worktop.

Not sure I would spend the money new but mine was a present from my mother. It is over ten years old. Toasts one side of one slice at the end so hey, I turn it halfway. I love the fact it is simple and mechanical. There are no complicated or hidden electronic bits. Very basic really but great to use.

The one I am looking at is a 4 slice NewGen which is not the cheaper model. Should I avoid it? I can't find the original one in the shops any more.