Advantages and disadvantages of toasters
Without exception, all toasters, from the most budget to the most expensive, have a simple design. The inside of the body is equipped with heating elements, between which slices of bread are dried. To cast aside all doubts about the need for such a purchase, you should first familiarize yourself with the main advantages and disadvantages of household appliances.
Advantages of toasters:
- A large assortment of toasters with various configurations, built-in functionality, design and pricing policy. Everyone will be able to purchase the most suitable model, based on individual preferences.
- Economical energy consumption.
- Quickly fries slices of bread until crispy (on average this takes 1-2 minutes).
- Some models are equipped with additional functionality: preparing sandwiches and buns, heating already cooled toast, and the ability to fry bread on one side.
- To prepare toast, there is no need to additionally use sunflower, olive or any other oil.
- Compact dimensions allow you to store it in any convenient place.
Disadvantages of toasters:
- Like any other electrical appliance, a toaster is a fire hazard and requires special attention during operation.
- Low-quality toasters have a short service life.
Principle of operation
A standard toaster is a closed cabinet with slots into which slices of bread are placed. There are heating elements inside it, thanks to which they are fried.
The operating principle is as follows: to transfer heat to a slice of bread, the device emits infrared rays. This happens in this way: the heating element, which is usually made of nichrome wire wound around a metal frame, becomes hot. The wire begins to glow, emitting heat. This way the bread dries out.
Electrical sensors monitor the time required to prepare the toast. They are located close to the toasted slice of bread. When the required temperature is reached, the sensor closes the toaster shutdown contacts.
When the bread is toasted, temperature sensors signal this by activating a spring mechanism that straightens and allows the toast to “pop” to the top.
How and which toaster is better to choose?
With a wide range of toasters on the market, choosing the best option can be difficult. Before buying household appliances, you need to familiarize yourself with the criteria that determine its quality.
When choosing a toaster, it is recommended to pay attention to the following parameters that characterize the kitchen appliance:
- Number of slices . They produce toasters for 2 and 4 slices of bread. For a large family, it is more practical to buy models designed for 4 slices, although it will take up more space in the kitchen.
- Presence of a countdown timer . Such models have a liquid crystal display on the body, which displays information about the remaining cooking time.
- Power (performance) of the toaster. This parameter determines how quickly the bread pieces will brown. However, high power does not guarantee perfect and uniform roasting.
- Width of slots for bread slices . A wide slot is necessary if the housewife cuts bread into thick slices; such models also allow you to additionally fry bagels, buns and other baked goods.
- Control type . It can be mechanical or electronic. In the first case, we are talking about budget models in which it is possible to manually adjust the settings and control the degree of toasting of the bread. The electronics automatically sets the optimal operating parameters of the device.
- Material of manufacture . The cases of budget models are made of plastic, which must be resistant to thermal effects. Cases are also made from metal alloys and stainless steel. When choosing, it is recommended to give preference to those models whose body does not heat up during operation.
- Availability of a cancel button . Using this button, you can stop the cooking process of bread and prevent it from charring. Some toaster models are equipped with a “Pause” button, which allows you to evaluate the degree of browning of the bread while the appliance is operating.
- Available operating modes . Functional models can defrost bread, heat baked goods, and auto-center slices.
- Available browning options . The most functional toaster models allow you to toast bread slices from light to very dark.
- Presence of a tray for bread crumbs . This seemingly unimportant detail greatly simplifies the process of caring for household appliances.
These are the main parameters that determine the functionality and practicality of using a toaster. To narrow down your search, take a look at our list of the best toasters in 2021.
What is important to consider when buying a toaster for your home?
When purchasing a device for frying bread, you should take into account a number of important characteristics of the toaster: uniformity of frying, ease of use, variety of functions. It is also worth considering the build quality, because how long it can work will depend on this factor. Two more important factors are the price and place of purchase: the most expensive toaster will not always be the best, and if you liked a certain model in an electronics supermarket, then before purchasing it you should find it in online stores, because they sell household and electronic appliances much cheaper.
TOP 10: The best toasters in 2021
The best mechanical toasters
№ | Name | Description | Price |
1. | Kitfort KT-2038-1 | The best mechanical toaster | 33$ |
2. | Philips HD 2582 | Reliable toaster of excellent quality | 27$ |
3. | Gorenje T1100CLI | High-quality toaster with fast toasting speed | 30$ |
4. | Scarlett SC-TM11008 | The best inexpensive mechanical toaster | 11$ |
5. | Tefal TT 420D30 | Good and practical toaster for the kitchen | 30$ |
Best Electric Toasters
№ | Name | Description | Price |
1. | Kitfort KT-2036 | The best toaster of 2021 in terms of price and quality | 30$ |
2. | Morphy Richards 240114 | The best toaster for 4 toasts | 84$ |
3. | REDMOND RT-M403 | Stylish and popular toaster from the trusted brand Redmond | 44$ |
4. | Tefal TT 640810 | Reliable electronic toaster | 47$ |
5. | Kitfort KT-2013 | High-quality toaster with high toasting speed | 62$ |
Features of Bosch toasters
For your information! The founder of the Bosch company, Robert Bosch, has always adhered to the principle: “it is better to lose money, but not the client’s trust.”
And today the company continues to adhere to the traditions laid down by its founder. The brand serves as a guarantee of product quality and reliability.
A distinctive feature of Bosch brand toasters is not only an elegant design , but also thoughtful designs, functionality and excellent technical characteristics.
The best mechanical toasters
Mechanical models are distinguished by extremely simple manual control and a small set of functions. As a rule, the only thing available to the user is setting the degree of toasting from several available options. Such toasters, of course, require special control, and yet they are extremely kind to your wallet. Below we present the five best models of this type.
Tefal TT 420D30
A good and practical toaster for the kitchen.
Tefal TT 420D30
First of all, we recommend paying attention to the simple model TT 420D30 (RUB 2,200) from the well-known company Tefal, France. The body of the product is made of steel, which significantly extends the service life of the device itself. The two toast compartments are equipped with an automatic centering function to prevent the bread from burning. In addition, the degree of browning can be adjusted using seven positions at once. There is also a crumb tray, which makes servicing the device as convenient and fast as possible. Additional functions include the ability to defrost and heat bread products.
Main characteristics
- Power: 900 W
- Adjusting the degree of browning
- Automatic toast centering
- "Extra-rise" toast
- Case material: metal
- Illuminated controls
- Weight: 1.65 kg
Video review
Advantages:
- Reliable steel case.
- Automatic centering of toasts in compartments.
- Seven levels of browning.
- There are defrosting and heating functions.
- Convenient, removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.
Flaws:
- Marking surface.
- Requires special care (for stainless steel).
- The price is higher than similar models from other brands.
conclusions
Before you go shopping for a toaster, there are a few things to remember:
- First of all, you need to pay attention to the power of the device, the material of the case and the number of compartments ;
- for a small family or individual use, a device with low power and one compartment for bread is perfect;
- For families where everyone likes to eat toast for breakfast, it is better to purchase a more powerful device with two compartments and additional options.
Best Electric Toasters
Electronic toasters, on the other hand, require minimal user attention and control. They also have a wide range of additional functions, such as setting cooking times automatically. However, they are on average slightly more expensive. We present the TOP 5 best toasters of this type.
Kitfort KT-2013
High-quality toaster with high toasting speed.
Kitfort KT-2013
First, let's look at a device from a Russian brand - Kitfort KT-2013 (RUB 4,600). By and large, this is a model with the most basic configuration. It is equipped with automatic centering of toast in the slots, which allows you to toast the bread evenly. In addition, there are functions for defrosting and heating ready-made toast or other baked goods. The control is especially convenient because the device is equipped with an electronic display that displays the selected toasting modes. Next to the display there are informative control buttons, the symbols on which allow you to accurately identify a particular function.
Main characteristics
- Power: 1050 W
- Adjusting the degree of browning
- Defrost function
- Automatic toast centering
- "Extra-rise" toast
- Automatic toast raising
- Crumb tray
- Case material: metal
- Illuminated controls
- Power cord length: 70 cm
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 20 cm
- Weight: 1.75 kg
Video review
Advantages:
- Reliable and durable metal case.
- Evenly toast the toast.
- Simple and intuitive controls, there is an electronic display.
- Includes a removable crumb tray.
- Small dimensions, compact model.
Flaws:
- Marking surface.
- Flimsy fastening of control buttons.
- Short power cord (70 cm).
Tefal TT 640810
Reliable toaster with electronic control.
Tefal TT640810
Next in the TOP of the best electronically controlled toasters, you should consider a slightly more budget option from the French brand - Tefal TT 640810 (3,500 rubles). Despite the fact that the product is made of plastic, it does not overheat during operation due to the thermal insulation of the case. It is worth noting the presence of a separate compartment for storing the power cord - although this may seem like a small thing, it allows you to easily store the device anywhere in the kitchen during periods of inactivity. The Tefal toaster has intuitive controls and seven toasting modes. Interestingly, the display informing about the remaining cooking time is discreetly built into the body of the device.
Main characteristics
- Power: 850 W
- Adjusting the degree of browning
- Thermally insulated housing
- Automatic toast centering
- "Extra-rise" toast
- Automatic toast raising
- Crumb tray
- Case material: plastic
- Illuminated controls
- Power cord compartment
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 19.6×18.2 cm
- Weight: 1.4 kg
Video review
Advantages:
- Stylish, modern design.
- Thermally insulated plastic case with overheat protection.
- Convenient, intuitive electronic control.
- Seven degrees of roasting.
- All necessary functions are present (defrosting, heating, etc.).
Flaws:
- There is no special heating grate.
- Poor design of the control lever.
- There are gaps between the case itself and the slots, which is why crumbs can get inside the device.
Bosch TAT 6A111/6A113/6A114/6A117
A reliable and practical assistant for creating a cozy atmosphere in your home with the aroma of coffee and fresh crispy toast.
This model is equipped with a foldable heating stand .
The Bosch TAT 6A111/6A113/6A114/6A117 toaster operates in six modes and toasts 2 slices at a time .
The model is convenient and economical to use, compact, does not take up much space and looks good in the kitchen interior.
Thanks to thermal insulation, the case does not heat up to high temperatures. Equipped with anti-slip feet.
Specifications:
Power consumption | 1090 W |
Number of pockets | 2 |
Number of slices | 2 toasts |
Compartment length | 136 mm |
Compartment width | 32 mm |
Power cord length | 0.9 m |
Weight | 1.9 kg |
Height | 18.8 cm |
Width | 17 cm |
Depth | 30.7 cm |
Advantages
- there is a cord winding in the compartment;
- high rise of the grille;
- heating and defrosting function;
- convenient crumb tray;
- 6 browning settings.
Flaws
- a little heavy.
#6
No. 8 – VITEK VT-1584
Price: 2830 rubles
Next in our comparison was VITEK VT-1584. This model is significantly more expensive than the previous ones. What can a toaster offer for your money? And it can offer thermally insulated walls that prevent your hands from getting burned, several different operating modes and high build quality.
The controls here are mechanical, there is a defrosting function and a grid for heating buns. A special tray is provided to collect crumbs. The variety of operating modes allows you to significantly expand the options for preparing bread; you will get croutons of different degrees of frying, for example, at the third and fourth power level. By the way, bread browns quite quickly in this toaster. The model is perfect even for those people who are always in a hurry in the morning.
VITEK VT-1584
No. 7 – REDMOND RT-M404
Price: 2400 rubles
The REDMOND company produces special eco-series toasters, which are notable for their minimal electricity consumption. One of these, REDMOND RT-M404, is capable of surprising customers with its stylish monolithic design, wide functionality and truly delicious toast.
The toaster has overheating protection, which is complemented by a special thermal insulation housing. The base of the device is rubberized, and the body itself is made of stainless steel. The operation of the device and the selected mode are displayed using LED indicators. Among the functions of REDMOND RT are heating, defrosting and automatic shutdown, bread centering and cooking cancellation are also provided. All this will allow you to correctly adjust the toasting of bread to suit your tastes.
REDMOND RT-M404
No. 4 – Braun HT 450
Price: 3410 rubles
The Braun HT 450 toaster is specially designed with an emphasis on maximum comfort and ease of use. A large number of different functions allows you to achieve the desired result for any request. A special feature of this machine is a very large bread hole, which is suitable for toast of different shapes and sizes. And to ensure that each piece browns evenly, the toast is automatically centered.
But, of course, the main advantage of the Braun HT is its high power level, which is equal to 1080 W. With such a device, you can fry bread very quickly, but the advantage is not only speed: the main thing is maximum uniformity of frying. The controls in this model are mechanical, which will appeal to those who prefer simple devices. There is no need to understand a lot of unnecessary buttons; old, time-tested adjustment technologies are used.
Braun HT 450
Toaster care
Caring for your toaster
To ensure that the appliance lasts as long as possible, you need to follow these rules:
- After frying toast, turn off the power to the appliance.
- Only open the device after turning it off. You should also wait until the device cools down.
- Keep an eye on the connectors so that there is nothing unnecessary there.
- Clean weekly.
If you want to enjoy a delicious and varied breakfast every day, then a toaster is a must-buy. When purchasing equipment, base it on your personal preferences. This device can also serve as a good gift for friends and family.
Tricks for using a toaster
A toaster is one of the easiest kitchen appliances to use. Despite its simplicity, it is very useful, helps to save a lot of time in the morning, and prepare a delicious, appetizing breakfast with minimal effort and waste of time. Some tricks regarding its use, however, are present:
- To avoid overheating and to use electricity as rationally as possible, do not leave the compartments of the device empty. If there are two compartments, you need to fry 2 pieces of bread, if 4 - 4;
- You can cook only slices without additives, no oil or syrup;
- Even with the utmost care, it is unlikely that crumbs will appear. In this sense, models with a tray are convenient; it is enough to sometimes remove it and shake out the crumbs, rather than wipe the table after preparing each new portion;
- It is better to buy special bread for toast, cut into slices of a certain thickness. Self-cutting is rarely even, and any deviation can lead to uneven cooking and the formation of small charred areas.
The most popular brands of toasters
There are many companies that create various toasters, but the truly best toasters are created by these companies:
- Philips . The company is famous for its affordable prices and high-quality assembly of devices.
- Polaris . The main advantages of the company’s equipment are a strong metal body, compactness of the models and affordable prices. But most of the models from this company are often difficult to clean.
- Scarlett . The toaster models of this company have rustic and inexpensive materials, but they work for a very long time. The cost of toasters is low, which makes them the best-selling.
- Maxwell . The price of most toasters from this company is high due to the quality and ease of use. These toasters best match the price-quality ratio.
- BBK . This company makes the cheapest toasters among other manufacturers. But due to their low cost, they are made from simple and inexpensive materials that do not guarantee quality.