What makes a great toaster? Is it the snazzy exterior that matters or should you look for something more substantial like its ability to produce all shades of brown in your toast? Buying a new toaster used to be as simple as counting the slots available for your favourite morning bread. However, with new technologies and innovations available today, decision-making becomes more complicated. Technical spec lists also leave average consumers more confused than informed when looking at toaster features. If you have planned to buy Cuisinart toaster, here are some key things you should look for:
Versatility – Toaster and toaster ovens can and will brown mostly any piece of bread easily. If this is all you want, you can be happy with a basic toaster. However, if you want a more versatile equipment, most toaster ovens have the ability to make lovely grill marks on your bread and at the same time melt a cheese sandwich or even broil a hamburger and roast a small chicken. However, toaster ovens can't generally toast bread as well as dedicated toasters do. Ovens will leave stripes, but only on one side and they take longer to crisp your bread (4-6 minutes as opposed to 2-3 minutes in a toaster).
Cost – Decide the amount you are willing to spend. A good toaster doesn't have to cost much, but expect to pay a larger amount when buying a toaster oven versus a typical toaster. This is because toaster ovens are bigger and have additional features, thus can do more. Cuisinart is a generally more expensive brand, and for good reason. Cuisinart toasters are made using brushed stainless steel exteriors and come with highly practical features like defrost and reheat capabilities and handy LED indicators.
Features – Brands and manufacturers are keen on adding bells and whistles to their products. New models would often include fancy LCD displays, counter timers, and even toast shade indicators. However, you want a toaster that can provide you with consistent and variable browning so you can have a wide range of doneness to suit your family's preferences. Consider how many slots you will be needing to avoid chaotic morning rushes, especially when you have a large family.
Safety – Toasters in the past featured plastic housing so they are less likely to retain heat. However, today's toasters are mostly all-metal, which is why it is important to look for features like automatic shut off for their heating elements so as to avoid burning bread and causing graver accidents when your toast gets stuck or when you forget to set the appropriate time/temp.
Controls – Finally, look for convenient controls that make it easier and less fiddly to do your morning toasting.
About The Author:
This article is written by Carla Penn is who is the Managing Director at Kitchenware Superstore. Kitchenware Superstore is an Australian owned and trusted company offering the biggest ranges of cookware and kitchenware from the leading brands such as Scanpan, Riedel, Le Creuset, Global, KitchenAid, Wusthof, Breville, Cuisinart and more at unbeatable prices.
