Dualit 3-Slot Toaster 30084 - Stainless Steel

Product Information

If there’s just one or two of you and you’re not a fan of fancy loaves then we’d say a simple two-slot model with just a couple of functions will probably suffice. Two slot models are also better if you’re a bit tight on space as it’s a product that usually has a permanent, easy-to-access home on your worktop. The Cuisinart Style Collection 4 Slot Toaster is the perfect choice for bagel lovers. It's a more common feature in American toasters to have a bagel setting, which will toast the inside of the bagel while leaving the outside nice and chewy, but because Cuisinart is an American classic brand, we got to experience the joys of a bagel setting for ourselves. One thing to note is that you should place the bagel with the outside facing in if you want the inside to be toasted on the bagel setting. Crumb trays should be easy to remove and clean to stop the build-up of bread crumbs, which can be a safety hazard. During testing we were sold by the touch screen panel that you use for controls, and we loved the long, wide slots on offer too. How we test toasters The Newgen was created for commercial use and as such, every element of it, including the actual elements, can be replaced or repaired. Every toaster comes with a one-year warranty and two years on the heating elements. After that, should any part wear out, Dualit will fix it, for a cost. If you look online, you'll find practically all the parts available – most of them are quite cheap – as well as tutorials on how to fit them yourself.

The Vario has a square, red slot selector switch which allows the user to select: 1 or 2 on the 2 slot model: 2 or 3 on the 3 slot model: 2 or 4 on the 4 slot model. The Vario has no bagel function. Despite its premium nature, the 2-slice Newgen is very compact. The 4-slice is naturally somewhat bigger, but it's not a hulking great thing like the KitchenAid Artisan toaster.

If your bread finishes toasting and cools before you get to eat it, the reheat function will warm the toast without leaving it soggy or burning the bread. Toasters can come in a huge range of styles, from cutting-edge modern designs to those with retro appeal. If co-ordinating appliances are important to you, look for toasters that come in a variety of colours and that offer matching kettles. The elements that are fitted inside a toasting slot is what heats and browns the bread. The element is wrapped with wire and this is the part that heats up. Although you can't test a toaster before buying, you can probably look inside the slots and see the elements - the more spaced out and less wire there is, the greater risk of uneven browning and hotspots. Fewer gaps between the wire will produce more even toasting. slice and 4 slice are the most widely found toaster sizes. If there are more than a couple of people using the toaster at the same time, then a 4 slice will be most useful or for large families a six slice. Dualit's Classic Toasters are available to buy in two, three, four and six slice versions. Safety Tip: When in use, there should be nothing above the toaster that could cause the heat produced to accumulate, so make sure you have space in your kitchen where the toaster can be used that isn't under cupboards or near curtains.

Hand-built in the UK since 1945, this is the toaster to buy if you don't want to fork out for another one for many years to come. It's a steep investment, yes, but the price reflects the fact that its makers believe it’s a toaster that will last a lifetime. However, if you are still experiencing uneven toasting, you may wish to return the toaster to Dualit for inspection. If under warranty, the toaster should be returned to us via the retailer.

The genius of the toasting lever does not end there. If you want to keep your toast warm, you can have the elements off, but the lever down. This means that the residual heat from the toasting is used to keep your toast toasty. Or, at least, above room temperature. As well as a decent variable control to give you your chosen perfect shade of brown, you should also look for defrost and keep warm functions.