Need some input.

[SandyDee]

Can anyone recommend a good toaster? I just got rid of the one I had for over 17 years and got a new one. It doesn't toast evenly
at all. I asked some people at work what kind they like and they all complained that theirs do what mine does. Does anyone make a good toaster anymore?

[MrsReber]

Sandy, I have always had a toaster oven and have been very happy with my Black and Decker for many years. It is so much more practical to me since I can use it for many things besides just making toast. I don't know if you had a regular toaster in mind or not. Mine always toasts evenly and I can use it to reheat things (especially pizza) without having to turn on the oven and heat up the whole house. Just my opinion!

[lorilei]

We have a KitchenAid toaster that we really do like. It's microchip controlled, like many toasters nowadays, and makes wonderful evenly browned toast.

[sneezles]

I agree with MrsReber, I've had a toaster oven for years and just recently purchased a new Black and Decker one. It has a pull out crumb tray which makes cleaning it a breeze and you can watch the toast so you can stop it when you like. We also use it to finish things started in the microwave but need a little crisping/browning. Plus this one is bigger but still doesn't take up much more space that a four-slicer.

[This message has been edited by sneezles (edited 09-05-2000).]

[Wendy w]

Count me in on the toaster oven, they are so much more versatile than just a plain toaster!

[Shelly]

I also have a B&D toaster oven that I love. It is especially nice in the summer when I want to make garlic bread and don't want to heat up the kitchen with my regular oven. We also use ours to reheat leftovers that may get overcooked in the microwave or need crisping/browning. Another advantage is that it doesn't mush even the biggest of bagels!

I never even thought about owning one until a couple years ago when my fiance and I took over leasing an apt. and had a temporary roommate for a few months. I couldn't unpack our stuff until she moved out, and she had a toaster oven that we used. I've been hooked ever since.

[Beth]

Mine is a Sunbeam. To be honest, I bought it for it's long, as opposed to wide-bodied, shape. I wanted a 4-slice, wide-slot toaster that wouldn't stick out so far from the cabinet wall. This one actually has 2 very long slots, so it's 4-slice for normal bread, but will also fit slices of artisan type breads as well as bagels. It toasts well and has a slide out crumb tray that is very easy to clean.

This one is the same shape as the KitchenAid, which I also liked, but the Sunbeam was about $25 at a warehouse store and the KitchenAid toasters had just come out at over $100.

[SandyDee]

Thanks for the advice, my mother was going to give me a toaster oven for Christmas last year and I didn't think I would use it. Now I know what I will ask for this Christmas. I obviously didn't shop smart when I did buy a toaster. Should have done my homework better.

[Mamasue]

Count me in too! I have always had a toaster oven. I now own my third one which is a Cuisinart and I love it. The past two were Black & Decker's.

[Natasha]

SandyDee, I am glad you started this topic! Like so many other people who have posted, I am another toaster oven aficionado and desperately need a new one! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif But I don t know if I could live without a toaster, no matter how good the toaster oven. I just love having a toaster, y know? (And this from someone who lived for over a year with neither toaster nor toaster oven ... I could never do that now!! Broke student days... ) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Glad to see you back, by the way!! Let us know if you ve bought any good CDs lately ... you know I m always interested! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SandyDee]

Natasha, It's good to be back!!! You really do start to get withdrawal when you can't get to the boards. I am really tossing this one around. I know I can get a toaster oven for Christmas (mom really wanted to last year) and now with so much input from everyone I will understand the multitude of uses for one. But I am not sure I am ready to do with out a toaster either. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif No, I really haven't been to the music shop for awhile either (another withdrawal) I am planning a trip to New York in October and want to get some new clothes to take with me and would like to splurge alittle while I am there so I haven't been spending quite as freely as I ususally do. (yet another withdrawal!!!) I am due for a real spree soon, I can feel it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[MrsReber]

Hello-it's me again. I am not sure what you could use a regular toaster for that you couldn't use a toaster oven for? I love my toaster oven for heating up things since the microwave tends to turn certain things to mush when warming. I can cook things in it, like english muffin pizzas and garlic bread (as mentioned above) or keep side dishes warm and I can make two, three, or four slices of toast at once. I can even toast 3 english muffins at once. I am all for toaster ovens and I can't see why anyone would settle for a regular old toaster that can only toast things. Am I missing something?

[SandyM]

My husband is of the opinion that since the toaster oven heating elements aren't as close to the bread as in a regular toaster, it doesn't toast "as well". I bought a toaster oven, thinking I could lose the extra appliance, and I use it all the time for toast. He, however, nearly fainted when I suggested tossing the good old toaster. I'm sure there are other men out there like this...........

[Natasha]

MrsReber - I don't know if there is really anything that a toaster can do that a toaster oven can't, but I kinda LIKE the idea of sticking two slices of bread in the good ol' toaster and making toast the same way I (and my mother, and so on) have always done. It's so comforting. I'm just a sentimental soul, I guess! It makes for two similar appliances in the kitchen, and maybe one is superfluous, but I'm too stubborn/nostalgic/crazy?? to change http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif

I should add, though, that I love my toaster oven and, in fact, use it much more than my toaster...I just wouldn't like it to replace my toaster altogether!

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 09-06-2000).]

[Ohioan]

I, too, would like to hear what toasters have worked well for people here. My old toaster is about to bite the dust, and I can't get a toaster oven, simply because I don't have the counter space for it. But I need a good toaster that will know what to do with English muffins, especially those that don't split perfectly evenly! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Oh, yes, and speaking of English muffins, the toaster should have a crumb tray that's easy to empty and clean. Have you ever noticed how much English muffins "shed"? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Phoebe

[SandyDee]

MrsReber, I understand exactly what you are saying and I am definitely asking for one this Christmas and can't wait for it. I guess my thoughts are 2 fold. First is the counter space. I live alone, so I wouldn't get a 4 slice toaster just a 2 slicer and can keep it out. But the toaster ovens I've seen are considerably bigger than my toaster, I haven't seen any in the stores that are a size that would be able to stay on my counter. My second reason is that (and I may be wrong on this one) I can walk away from the toaster and wouldn't have to watch it until it is done. (though admittedly with the toaster I have now I am still doing that because I actually turn it half way through to get it toasted right.) Forgive me for this stupid question (I know it is) but I have never used a toaster oven, do you have to turn the bread? Does it let you know when it is done? A timer or something? I really am interested to know to help me make my decision. Thanks again for all of the input it really has been very helpful.

[SandyDee]

Thanks MrsReber, Like I said I do appreciate the input, I do intend to get a toaster oven whether I buy my own or drop a hint for it as a gift. I am not sure it will end up replacing my toaster I suppose it would be best to make that decision after I get one. But I now understand the many uses and can understand why my mom thought it would be such a good gift for me. Thanks again.

[MrsReber]

On my toaster oven, there is a switch much like how you press down for toast on a regular toaster. The switch will pop up when the toast is done. The only time you would have to watch it is if you had the oven knob turned on- you can choose a temperature (warm, 200degress, or even broil). I have different settings (dark, medium, light) for my toast. No, you do not have to turn the bread while toasting. I didn't realize you lived alone- I bet you would find it very useful since you can "bake" smaller portions of things. I wouldn't make anything elaborate in it, but it'd be great for quick foods. Boy, after all this, if you do get one I hope you love it or I'll feel bad for recommending one!

Counter space is another issue. Can't help you there, so you have to do what works best for you. I just think that a toaster oven is so much more useful.

[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 09-06-2000).]