dualit toaster...worth the money?

[polly28]

need a new toaster ,always fancied a dualit one but are they worth it?

[Demented]

I've got one and love it. They are supposed to go on for years, I believe you can replace the elements easily and this is basically the only thing that goes wrong.

I occasionally use the sandwich cage thing for toasties but find that a standard toastie maker is better. Dualit recommend using cheese slices for toastie, I don't buy these and find that ordinary cheddar cut by hand is usually too thick to go gooey enough in the time that it takes the bread to toast. If anyone has any tips about this I would be pleased to hear them.

Definately built to last but whether they are worth the money or not depends on how you look at it, I'm hoping never to buy a toaster again whereas others may prefer to have a new one every three or four years at £20 a shot.

[polly28]

doesn't the cheese drip into the toaster when you make a toastie?

[Demented]

I've never succeeded in getting the cheese hot enough to run before the toast is ready. The toaster does have a removeable crumb tray which would catch any drips.

[nikkim]

yes they are becuase they last foe ever, doesn't the saying go that only two things would servive a nuclear war Cher and dualit toasters.

I like them because your toast doen't go cold as quickly if you don't get to it immediatly as it doesn't pop up when cooked

[Cam]

Yes, because they look good and are fun to work

[Hulababy]

We have one and love it!Looks fab, and toasts well.

[SoupDragon]

Love it. One of the elements has gone in ours (after 5 years) and keep meaning to phone up to replace it. Looks fab too. I don't have a sandwich cage but the toaster bags from Lakeland work perfectly in the wide slots (we have a "combi" version with 2 thin 2 thick slots).

They take a little getting used to as you need to know how your one works - ours toasts much quicker than my parents' for example.

[SoupDragon]

Demented - toaster bags from lakeland!! Or try grating your cheese.

[Demented]

Thanks Soupy, never though of that (doh!). Will try grated cheese before buying any of the sandwich bags, I have to justify to DH the extra expense of the sandwich cages!

Beware of family/guests not being able to figure it out as it works slightly differently from a normal toaster.

[charliecat]

Stupid question alert: what is a toaster bag?

[Demented]

You get them in Lakeland, I belive you just make a sandwich up, put it in the bag and stick it in your toaster, turns an ordinary toasted into a toastie maker.

[charliecat]

Thanks thought as much but thought such a thing couldnt possibly exist. Off to lakeland tommorow, ive always looked in the window and laughed at the things they sell. Have to tuck my tail between my legs!

[prufrock]

Yes they are wonderful. Top tip for toasties (gleaned from the sandwich shop next to my old office which did the dreamiest cheese tosties using a Dualit) butter both sides of both pieces of bread right to the corners. You can then toast for longer (bread fries rather than burns) and give the cheese time to melt properly.

[aloha]

I love mine. Wedding present. Also really love Lakeland sandwich bags! God, I'm dull.

[Issymum]

Love it. It even survived intact when DD1 'toasted' her play plastic toast in it - fumes, smoke, melted plastic all over the place. DH dismantled the toaster, lovingly cleaned it and it worked perfectly again.

Couldn't say the same for DD1's plastic toast!

[charliecat]

Didnt get there today but did tell dp and my mum about this fantastic invention id heard of, they both looked at me as if I was mad. I was probably dribbling at the thought!

[Demented]

That sounds delicious Prufrock, but very fattening. Good job it's only the kid's who have the toasties in our house these days.

[polly28]

well I have to get one now,mmm toasties can't wait.thanks for all the replies

[SoupDragon]

There is something slightly odd about putting what appears to be a plastic bag containing a cheese and ham sandwich in your toaster...

[Demented]

Prufrock, my DSs say 'thank you'! Your suggestion made the nicest toasties they have had since our conventional toastie maker broke.

[Grommit]

my Dualit toaster packed in after about 3 years - I didn't like it anyway - made a horrid buzzing noise and didn't pop. Now got a less trendy Tefal which I much prefer.
Toasties are nice grilled - my mum's way. Butter one side of bread and toast buttered side. Place sliced tomatoes on non-toasted side with salt (!) and pepper or onion salt if you have it. When tomato is nice and cooked grate cheese over and grill until melted. Top with another slice of bread buttered side up under the grill. Yum.

[AussieSim]

Not worth it, unless you just want it to decorate your kitchen. An old boyfriend of mine had one and at the time I just thought it did a crap job. We got one as a wedding present and after using it for a while we have bought a new one and retired the dualit to the wardrobe in our guest bedroom.