This is my toaster. I bought it for its good looks.
It doesn't toast worth a darn. Uneven. Extremely annoying.
I'm looking for a decent 4-slice toaster.
Sebastien Gaudard has a Dualit. And a really cute dog in a sweatshirt.
Do you love your toaster? If so, please tell me about it.
Thank you.
E-I am OCD about my toast. I have a Cuisinart two slot but they make a good four. You can’t go wrong. xo
i too bought a toaster for its good looks but then i wised up and got a simple black and decker from target. Works like a charm! It even has a dial on the side for bagels and such…love it.
Ashley in Tennessee
I highly recommend the Dualit– it toasts evenly and quickly, and it really is a beauty!
Hi,
My Villaware toaster is just as good looking as the Dualit, no complaints had it for five years. My mom has one just like it and she’s had hers for at least 10!
Sarah
TEOT
Perhaps it’s embarrassing to post about something so beneath the level of a Dualit – my cheap little Oster two slot from Target works great, but it is not pretty and not petite. It is a beast in fact. But I love it, as does Husband who needs two slices of toast with his eggs every morning.
I have a beautiful RED Cuisinart two slice toaster that makes one slice of toast just for me, bagels or English muffins without them jamming and goes beautifully with my RED Waring blender and RED Krups coffee mill…did I mention my kitchen is RED? The walls are a beautiful mocha color available at Lowes by Behr called “Harvest Brown”…but back to the toaster! I love metal toasters, sooo cool…looking…but I burned my hand on a hot one…so my plastic encased Cuisinart is perfect!
Mary Frances
I have a toaster / oven from cisinart, but I ALWAYS WANTED A DUALIT!
They look great!
Leslie
I don’t love my dualit. It looks great and toasts ok, but my mom’s 25 year old black and decker toaster oven makes better toast. I have tried for years to get her to give it to me and she won’t give it up. maybe it’s magic.
Dualit in red. I LOVE it.
I’ve had it for 10 years and it still toasts perfectly every time. Get one. You won’t be sorry… and such fun colors!
I think there is nothing better than toasting your bread in the oven. Call me old-fashioned, but it’s the best toast in town…
Love my Dualit! Owned it for about 9 years now and it has lasted longer than any other toaster I’ve ever had. I use it almost daily and it works beautifully. Oh, did I mention it looks gorgeous too. Husband hates it. He made my tell you this. He claims it toasts really sloooooow. Hah, no patience I think!
I like our black cuisinart toaster but we are on our second one since we got married ten years ago. Our last cuisinart toaster started to shoot the toast out which was really funny!
Good luck on your toaster search!
I love love love my Dualit 4 slice toaster. Best of both worlds. Good looks and brains.
Dualit, Dualit – ALL THE WAY! I bought mine on Ebay – presume it is refurbed, but you’d never know it. Works like a champ (and I use it daily)
Toast PERFECTION!
I LOOOOOOOOVE my toaster from Williams Sonoma. It’s a 4 slice toaster made by Breville. Here’s the link. Hands down amazing!!!! I’ve had a Dualit too in the past, but this is perfection. My mother in law had a Dualit, but switched to the Breville. Good luck in your search!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku6975288/index.cfm?pkey=celectrics-breville&ckey=electrics-breville
I have a solid metal toaster from around 1945 that I bought on ebay for around $6. I was already familiar with the model since I have one in my family. This one had the cord replaced and was in great condition. While it only toasts two slices at a time, there is no side lever that you have to push down with the toast – the bread falls slowly by itself to roast. Once it reaches the desired color, it doesn’t click and scare me, it slowly raises back up. I absolutely love and and it makes perfect toast. I get lots of comments/compliments on it when it sits on my counter. It’s very clean and retro looking. And it’s so easy!
I have the Breville from Williams-Sonoma too but in the 2-slice version. Love, love, love it.
I got my Dualit at the Williams Sonoma Outlet about 10 years ago. It looks great on the counter and it works like a charm. My sister got hers at a WS outlet about 5 yrs ago. With the outlet, it’s hit or miss but I think the Dualit is something that is continually restocked. Like the Kitchen Aid standing mixer, it’s become a classic and you can’t go wrong.
I also got a Dualit (4 slot) at the Williams Sonoma Outlet (Wrentham, MA)about 4 years ago. Totally dreamy.
I do not, but I love your post. wink.
DUALIT is the way to go. We received ours as a wedding gift, (yeah!) and just LOVE it. I’ve also seen them at the Williams Sonoma outlet at a major discount, perfect if you happen to be lucky enough to catch one!
I agree w/ above post..I’m old school. Toast in the oven is the best and the way my great-grandmother always made toast.. Also keeps my counters looking fresh and clutter-free. (I also squish my grill cheese sandwiches w/ the old-fashioned two pan method…sandwich in skillet and smaller pan sitting on top of the sandwich like a press…)
Okay, I had to jump on the band wagon!!!! The absolute best is toast from a toaster oven, but they are so large and I hate all that equipment out on the counter tops.
I had a stainless steel 2-slice Cuisinart that was great, but we also have a KitchenAid Toaster Oven, and I felt like that was overkill, so we returned the toaster. The KitchenAid is okay, definitely not as good as Cuisinart, but it’s more versatile for grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. The Dualit is gorgeous!!!
2 slice Cuisinart…the best in my opinion…several toasting “levels”. My highest recommendations
I thought about that toaster you showed above for its good looks…boo that it doesn’t work great. And I agree..the Dualit is gorgeous!
I have a 2 slice but the 4 slots would be handy when I’m making lunch for myself and boyfriend in the morning, just don’t have the proper counterspace for one! We just moved and our internet connection is wonky so today is the first day in about two weeks that I’ve gotten to visit and I was so excited about all the posts I’d missed! LOVE: 1. the picture of you and Darby 2. the nursery details that are so freaking exciting to see. and I really really love the color you chose. It seems like it would be sooo comforting to spend time in that room! 3. colonel littleton post.
We have a Cuisinart two-slot toaster (the silver/chrome version) and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I make toast almost every day and have never had a problem with it and have always had perfect toast. I can’t recommend it enough. Also, it is beautiful in our kitchen.
My sister gave me a Dualt a few years ago that she found at a Williams Sonoma outlet. Mine toasts 3 slices which is kind of an odd number, but it makes yummy toast (not too dry) and is quite the looker!
http://www.cuisinart.com/products/toasters/cpt-180.html
by far the best toaster ever….i bought mine at crate & barrel and have never looked back!
I have the Die Cast Four-Slice Smart Toaster by Breville from Williams-Sonoma, and it is wonderful. It works perfectly, the slots are plenty large enough for bagels and other thick breads, and it is a beauty! I also love that it doesn’t have those levers that you have to slam down; instead you just push a button and the bread slowly lowers or rises. It’s $180, and I would definitely recommend it.
Dualit, no doubt. I just “found” your blog and I know you don’t know me … but the Dualit is the very best toaster … EVER.
I have a DeLonghi CTH4003 Pro-Metal 4-Slice Toaster, and it’s great! Reasonably priced, and works fantastic. I have 3 kids and use it about 6 times a day. I love that it has a little “defrost” button, for when you make frozen waffles or pancakes. I’m sure you’ll be making fresh pancakes every day for your daughter, but this feature is totally key for me when I’m trying to go to work and the bus is coming… pancake in 1 min! can’t beat it.
By the way, I have you in my reader and haven’t commented in a long time- I’m really enjoying the posts about your nursery! Congratulations!
We just got a 4 slice cuisinart chrome toaster for a wedding present and I LOVE IT!!! It has several different settings. It was kind of pricey but was under $100 but works awesome.
I bought my dualit for its good looks…or rather I registered for it and never dreamed anyone would by it, but they did! I have had it for 6 years, it is a beauty (martha blue) and it always performs. It is also easy to clean. My family owned a B & B and we often went through toasters, a lot of them! My dad probably spent over $500 on various brands of toasters before he got a dualit. You will love it!
So I just looked up the Dualit toaster since so many people mentioned it and I cannot even imagine spending that much money on a toaster. Maybe I’m just cheap. My Target toaster works just fine, and like others, I like it better in the oven.
I have a 4-slice Cuisinart classic toaster that I got as a wedding gift (from C&B, I think). 3 years later it’s still making great toast and I have no complaints. Plus, I like its retro style and the stainless works with any decor.
I have the 2-slice Dualit and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!! It’s totally worth the investment. I’ve never had such evenly toasted bread before and it’s darn cute sitting on my kitchen counter.
I have a 2 slice stainless/chrome cuisinart and it works great… good price too!
I have the Dualit as well – thank goodness it was a gift as they are pretty expensive, but I’ve had it for 10 years and it’s still doing a great job. I don’t have the one that has the trays for doing grilled cheese sandwiches so can’t attest to that, but the toast is always perfect and it’s a great looking kitchen accessory.
I have a Dualit an LOVE it! I can not remember how much is cost, but I will tell you it was worth every penny! Not only does it toast to perfection, it also looks great while doing so!
I have this 4 slot Breville Toaster from Williams-Sonoma and absolutely love it! It has a “lift and look” button as well as a “a little more” button. Each side has its own browning dial and the slots are extra wide making toasting bagels super easy! I just love it!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products_g/e189/index.cfm?pkey=ctoasters-ovens&ckey=toasters-ovens
We bought a Cuisinart 2 slice toaster from Costco that cost all of $15.00 and seriously, we love it. We dont usually go the cheap route but this worked! Still wish I had my antique toaster- it was the best.
Bought my parents the Dualit for their anniversary and they RAVE about it. Plus they’re big foodies, so I know it has to please big time for their approval. Dad says he LOOKS for things to toast it’s so good!
Sorry, I’m having trouble finding the toaster in the photo. Sebastien has distracted me a bit…
I have the same toaster as you and I totally know what you mean. I usually have to rotate the toast midway to make it even. I guess I’m just used to it after having it for 6+ years now. I still do like the looks so I guess that’s why I keep it.
We have a two-slot Breville and up until this week I would have said I love, love, love it. It is just six months old and the last two times we used it it toasted one side darker than the other. I have been through the gamut of cheap to non-cheap toasters and just want a toaster that toasts both sides evenly.
I am hoping that the toast this week was an aberration, otherwise it will be back to Williams-Sonoma and untoasted bread.
My Mom has a 4 slot Dualit and loves it! She got it at a William-Sonoma outlet for a steal and has had it for years…I sort of want one now too
Let me make a quick point for toaster ovens. I got a DeLonghi as a gift and swore I didn’t want it taking up my counter space, but I love it. I can cook anything without heating up the whole house..it preheats in like a minute and you can do full size pizzas. My full size muffin pan fits in it too…and it toasts great too. Just thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I probably wouldn’t have listened to anyone if they told me how much I would like it.
i too have to recommend the Cuisinart … it toasts to perfection
Erika: Cameron and I have a Dualit I bought at some factory store in Memphis. It was way cheap, or else we might have gone with the Target brand. But it toasts great…very even but it doesn’t dry the bread out so it makes for a nice cruspy warm piece of toast. I think it’s a 3-slice toaster.
I love my DeLonghi toaster oven!! I have three kids, and we use it all the time. Get one!!
I’ve had this toaster, Cuisinart Classic Style
Chrome Toaster, forever! it works great and looks good. If it ever dies, I’ll probably go for a Cuisinart toaster oven.
My parents just bought a Food Network brand four slice toaster at Kohls for like, $30. It’s pretty classic looking and it works! It even has settings for different types of bread to ensure even toasting!
Google this: toastation
Trust me. Cheap, but awesome. It’s the marriage of a toaster and a toaster oven. I’m a toast girl. The boyfriend is a toaster oven guy. The toastation keeps us both happy.
I have the Dualit as well I have had it 8 years and I love it.. It still toasts a even and predictably good slice of bread! I have been pleased with its functionality and its sleek look! By the way you have a very fun & sincere blog and I am glad to have you as yet another inspiration in my life! thanks!
I have the red Dualit toaster and it makes me so happy everytime I look at it! Makes great toast too! I got it 5 or 6 years ago at the Crate and Barrel outlet in Chicago. When I walked in and saw it I was so excited, like I found the treasure that no one else saw! It was a good day!
I have an okay toaster but nothing is as good as the one my parents have. It’s a GE that they got for a wedding present 41 years ago. It’s been used just about every day since.
We recently got the Cuisinart Classic Toaster (4 slice) for our wedding and we really like it. It’s sleek and works great! My husband is very particular about his toast and he couldn’t be happier with this toaster
Here is a link to the crate and barrel page for it:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Family.aspx?c=638&f=7076
I actually just bought a new one. I saw one on Seleta’s counter over at Simply Seleta’s site and emailed her. I needed one with four slots, since I have 5 boys and am always sick of “waiting for the toast to be ready”. Anyway, she graciously emailed right back. And thank God I listened to her! I LOVE IT! It was super inexpensive( as far as some of those other toasters go). Got is at William Sonoma outlet for $69.99 with 20% off! It is a Cuissinart retro looking bad boy that looks super chic on the counter! Good Luck!
I love my DeLonghi toaster. I have had it for 3 years and it works wonderfully. Got it at Macys.
I prefer toaster ovens, but I currently have a Breville 2 slice from Williams Sonoma that I LOVE!
I have had a DeLonghi for the past three years. I have to admit, I bought it for it’s looks, but it works great!
The rack pictured on top is a toast warmer which lifts right off for cleaning (or if you won’t use it you can stash it).
http://cooksden.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/B000OREVKY.jpg
well, it looks like you probably already have plenty of toaster suggestions…but i thought i would throw my 2 cents in.
perhaps most toasters have this…i don’t know. but this one does, and it is great bc nathan likes his toast just shy of completely burned, and i don’t!
we have a breville ikon 2-slice toaster. we got it at williams sonoma. and they make the exact same toaster in a 4-slice toaster.
my favorite feature is that you can choose the desired level of toastiness that you prefer!
happy toaster shopping!
We have a four slot (with 3 teenage boys you need it!) toaster by Rowlett. So far we’ve been putting it to the test for 6 years. It looks great and has the really cool sandwich rack for grilled cheese on the fly.
i’m all about the toaster oven. i know they don’t look cool or anything, but it’s definitely our most-used appliance. i toast everything. even donuts. (but that’s just a weird pregnant thing i’ve been into lately.) and you can melt cheese on stuff! they’re also great for baking smallish things so you don’t have to heat up your whole oven.
toaster oven is the way to go.
Get the Breville. We got one as a housewarming gift and LOVE it. It toasts four slices at a time and has features like “A bit more” if you want to toast it for just 20 more seconds or so.
Gosh, I never knew so many people actually ate toast every morning. I NEVER have toast; am I missing something here?
Oh…another thumbs up for the dualit. We’ve had ours about 7-8 years…and I still love the mechanics of it. The simplicity in engineering. We have a red one.
Flashy, too!
I have a Breville. 2 slice but I think they make a 4 slice. It is wide for plenty of room for bagels. Love it. And let me tell you, I’ve tried them all.
I have to agree about the DeLonghi toaster oven even though I have a Cuisinart 2 slice toaster. My friend has the toaster oven and as I eat breakfast over there frequently I can say that we all just love that toaster oven. And, can I just say this, toddlers sure like chicken nuggets and the toaster oven is another way to heat one of those up. Good luck with all of these comments, it will be hard to decide.
I’ve never thought about my toaster
I guess it must work but I do like the way the Dualit looks–yummy.
My cuisinart two slot is terrible. Its pretty but it is so uneven it is not even funny. I must have a lemon!
We have the Dualit 2 slice. We bought it for each other for our 1st anniversary 7 years ago. We are still VERY MUCH IN LOVE with this toaster! It toasts evently, quickly and can easily hold a real bagel. (plus it looks super swanky and oh so retro on the counter) Love it, love it, love it!
We have a Dualit and we love it. It takes a little getting used to, because it toasts slower then you think, but it’s always perfect. We’ve had ours for 6 years and we’ll have it forever it seems.
I have a 4 slice Waring, commercial grade, medium duty toaster that I love. Perfect toast, bagels, etc. every time.
Boy – you touched a nerve w/toasters. I purchased a more expensive Kitchen Aid toaster and it hasn’t been the greatest. My all time favorite was a $20 toaster from Target — I think the brand may have been Salton? For some reason, inexpensive toasters are the best. Maybe expectations are low? Good luck!
Ours is a white sleek and light Philips toaster that was on sale for like $20. Our old one burnt down and when I went to buy a new one, I couldn’t find any that I liked. They were either too bulky, or too cheap. So I went and bought the same model as the burnt one. So far so good
By the way, I’ve got a Perricone MD product to giveaway over at my blog. The contest ends tomorrow, so come check it out!
We love, adore, and love love love our dualit!
did you seriously just get 78 responses on which toaster to buy? I had no idea…
I’m late to the discussion, but I have also been looking for a toaster. These are Cook’s Illustrated’s recommendations for inexpensive toasters. Their reviews have always panned out for me.
4-Slice Toaster:
Michael Graves Design Hamilton Beach 4-Slice Toaster – $34.99
This toaster simply outperformed the others, producing evenly golden toast in test after test. The toaster’s carriage held all foods securely and prevented any possibility of items falling through or getting caught. Our sole complaint: This bulky toaster took up more counter space than we’d prefer.
2-slice toaster, highly recommended:
Farberware FST200 – $34.99
We were able to brown toast to five different shades, from no color to deep, dark brown. The plastic exterior stayed cooler than the exterior of any other toaster, and the defrost feature worked perfectly. One downside: With the controls on a long side, this toaster took up more counter space than most. $26.99
Toaster oven:
Krups 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven FBC412 – $159.95
Easiest to use of all the ovens, with clear instructions and digital controls. Display counts down cook time. Dark toast was “beautiful deep brown, still moist inside.” Cooked quickly, cleaned up easily. The baking pan’s nonstick coating peeled in a few coin-sized spots, however.
love my toast from my cuisinart.
Hi this is so weird bc I am an interior designer too and had this same toaster twice and it did stink. The blue handle kept breaking off. I like the Dualit. Looks Durable too! You need a percolator. They make the best coffee and it would look cool in your kitchen!
I love my stainless 4-slice toaster from Cuisinart.
Hi- First, let me just say, I LOVE your blog, as well as your sisters! Now, as far as the toasters… We just returned from vacationing in Seaside, Fla… The house we rented had a Dualit toaster. We had not tried one before, but let me tell you, it is now on my wish list! It was totally awesome, and I highly recommend them!!
I bought the Dualit 11 years ago and it still works perfectly and looks great.