About six months ago, my toaster, which is probably more than 10 years old, started toasting only on one side.
Obviously, it was time to get a new one, especially since I’m having company in July – five people – so a new toaster is a must.
I did my usual consumer research and wrote an article, “How to Buy a Toaster.” It seemed simple with the usual steps:
• Decide on the size needed.
• Check reviews.
• Decide how much to spend.
• Determine the kind of controls I want.
• Learn about special functions.
• Buy a metal toaster.
• Make sure the toaster has a crumb tray.
• Look for toasters that don’t have a Prop 65 warning.
Since my birthday’s coming up in May, I needed to pick out a toaster model to put on my birthday list.
Then, the challenges began.
I looked in Consumer Reports and only saw four-slice toasters. Not what I needed.
I searched online for other reviews, using a private navigator like I recommend.
Although there were many best toaster, best value toaster, and others offered, I couldn’t find one with mostly good reviews. The toasters didn’t toast evenly, didn’t toast well on one side, quit working after a few months, had controls that were complicated or didn’t work, and more. It was crazy.
I went back to Consumer Reports, turned the magazine over, and there were the two-slice toasters. However, the same thing happened with these reviews – even the highly rated toasters, and the expensive ones, had mixed reviews.
Expensive, yes expensive. One Revolution toaster cost $350. Breville are toasters $120 and $160.
I picked the Hamilton Beach Gourmet 22996 two-slice toaster for $25.
It scored four stars out of five in the reviews. A summary of reviews said: “Your Hamilton Beach toaster offers solid basic features at a budget price but has notable durability concerns mentioned in reviews.”
One review said: “I used this toaster exactly 6 times over a 2 week period ( I know this because there were 6 bagels in the bag). On the sixth bagel, a few seconds after pushing the lever down, sparks shot out of the top. Then a small flame erupted out of the back/top. I reached over and unplugged it. I smelled burning plastic… The toaster was dead and my bagel was ruined.”
So, we’ll see that happens.
