We toast English muffins (specifically Wolferman’s) a lot, and our long loved toaster died. We have recently purchased a new toaster and then another. The problem seems to be that new toasters don’t actually toast very well. Despite the numbers designating dark/light toasting, the outcome seems to be the same. Even at the darkest setting, we often have to toast it twice.
Online reviews don’t typically help. Most reviews seem to focus on how the appliance sits on their counter, or the color. We prefer function over aesthetics.
Was recently at the counter of a VERY busy Waffle House and they had a row of toasters getting heavy use. I made a mental note of the brand. They were all Waring.
I’ve had a cuisinart long slot slim design for decades. It doesn’t take up much space on the counter or in a cupboard where it lives when not in use. Toasts 4 typical slices plus adjusts for thicker bagels. Defrosts, reheats, with a lift up lever and crumb tray. It will darken your toast at mark 4, goes up to six iirc.
It’s been discontinued! I’ve been looking everywhere. Closest in style is a Breville. Most toaster I see now are big chunky retro style statement toasters. I hates them.
I’ve been using a four-slice Cuisinart toaster for quite a while. It works fine with almost any kind of bread, but isn’t great for bagels. Depending on the type and thickness of bread, I may have to crank it up to 7 (the max) to get the darkness I want, but for most breads, a 5 or 6 is plenty dark enough. I just checked, and I don’t see my model available, but I know it’s at least 7 or 8 years old. I have found Cuisinart products pricey compared to others, but usually worth the extra money in the long run. YMMV.
The Wirecutter section of the New York Times recommended the Cuisinart CPT-142 4-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster as the best four-slice toaster. (But I also like the idea of one with a clear window on the side, like the Magimix Vision, though there are other, cheaper ones with that feature.)
I’ve used a couple of air fryers as toasters. A proper toaster leaves the outside crispy while the inside is somewhat moist and chewy. An air fryer – at least the ones I have used – tends to make the bread much drier and tougher than bread toasted without air circulating around it.
My wife bought a Breville 4 slot toaster several years ago and it’s great. She likes her toast at 1 to 1.5 and I prefer mine at 3. I’m pretty sure that 5 would pop up a charcoal briquet.
I don’t know how dark you want them (and I only toast bread not muffins) but it could be due to Acrylamide. This forms when something is toasted for too long and is toxic, it is quite possible that the darkest setting on new toasters is set at a very cautious level to reduce this risk.
