Question from Dana
My 3-year-old toaster oven has recently died on me. Any suggestions for a good quality toaster oven or toaster that will last? From the research I’ve done, it seems that toasters these days are pretty much disposable. Any suggestions for a sturdy model so I can reduce waste in this respect? Also, what can I do with the old one?
Debra’s Answer
I haven’t shopped for a toaster or toaster oven in a while, and I don’t own either one (gave up toast a while back), but from my experience shopping for other things…
You can get something cheap and flimsy or you can pay more and get something that is better built and will last. I’ve seen good quality cooking appliances at places such as Macy’s, Williams-Sonoma, and Sur La Table.
Readers, your suggestions?
The DUALIT: Best toaster ever!! No fumes!
I wanted to post that we recently purchased a DUALIT toaster, made in the UK: a colored VARIO: http://www.dualit.com/products/3-slice-vario. (Ours is a 2-slice). This toaster, while very pricey, is worth every penny. It is supposed to last a lifetime and you can replace parts when they break. It doesn’t have toxic electronics in it, just a timer. You can purchase a sandwhich cage to put inside the slots to make “melts” or crumpets, but this works really really well for thin slices of toast so they don’t rub up against the side of the toaster and burn. Fortunately, a family member offgassed it on a deck over Christmas for us – it heated up so much it melted the snow off the roof! The first time we used it – on the deck – it did smoke ever so little, from oil put on the elements that keeps them from rusting, but we were able to put toast in it and eat it within 20 minutes after. I looked at this toaster a year before but initially thought that the enamel coating on it had a slight smell (plus of course the cost!) But after taking the risk and having the toaster sit in its box for two months, it was 100% worth it. I would say that I think that the stainless steel model actually smells a bit more than the colored enamel ones for anyone else thinking of purchasing this. Also there is a less expensive one available that is made in China, but I couldn’t find it in Canada, but it might be worth trying.