Had to buy a new toaster.

[roadtripboy]

Had to buy a new toaster. The old one was tripping the surge protector.

How much research to you do before you buy small items like this? Or do you just go to the store pick something out.

I check out reviews and then go to the store and pick something out.

 

[Cormac135]

I just buy the store brand model, Asda/Walmart around £8 for the basic two slice toaster.

 

[Vannie]

It depends what it is and how much. But yea...I like to research a bit and look at reviews on different sites.


I miss a regular toaster for just toast,or a wide slotter for bagels We have a countertop oven we toast in.

 

[NotHardUp1]

I used to frequent several thrift stores and knew which ones had better furnishings, appliances, clothing, or whatever. It was common to find unused toaster ovens.

Common sense helps. Pay attention to the rack's placement choices. Sometimes they are too low AND too high, so you just a choice of burning it on bottom or top.

 

[FPNY]

I dont think you can buy a good toaster today...they all suck. But if I had to go get one I would get a 4 slice jobber...you have the option to make one slice or 4 if you have a crowd for toast...

 

[peeonme]

If I needed one it would be walmart time.

 

[HoodedRat]

I just buy the store brand model, Asda/Walmart around £8 for the basic two slice toaster.

Same here. I've had expensive, multi-function toasters, microwave ovens, and kettles. All of them fucked up in a very short time. Since then I just buy cheap Tesco or Asda basic versions and they last for years.

 

[Thad1527]

I have a Proctor-Silex toaster, never used, that I got as a gift from a casino. My incredibly reliable coffeemaker is Proctor-Silex so I expect the toaster to be good.

 

[kevbo]

For a toaster? I put about as much thought as I do when trying to find someone in a sidewalk sale at the end of the night.

Don't feel like chewing my arm off the morning after as often, though.

 

[Yooper]

For less than $20, whatever Wally World or Target has in stock, but not the cheapest.

At both my last workplace and my current one, I've had access to fancy ones at a substantial discount. I stick with the cheap disposable ones so they don't have to be cleaned, ever.

 

[Thad1527]

I stick with the cheap disposable ones so they don't have to be cleaned, ever.

I hope you dump out the crumb tray occasionally!

 

[Alistair]

I hope you dump out the crumb tray occasionally!

Easiest thing to do is just turn the toaster over the sink and shake it out after each use.


I've had my grandmother's old toaster since she passed. It's from the 1950's. It's so cool, the toast automatically lowers itself when you put a slice in the one slot. Extra wide slots, I think so homemade bread would fit in. The design is so space age it looks retro.

 

[Yooper]

I hope you dump out the crumb tray occasionally!

I wait for the toaster to catch on fire first.

Gives me the excuse to get a new one.

 

[72-Jay]

I'd take it apart & see if there was any obvious problems/easy fixes...
If i could easily/cheaply fix it I would do so. If it looked like too much trouble, I'd just go buy a new one.

 

[Yooper]

I was surprised last summer. I found Mom had rediscovered one that had been on holiday in the attic the last 30 years. It works and sounds like the video (not my Mom):

I can't find a video of the one that died. I'll see if I can find a photo.

 

[Alistair]

^ that's exactly how the one I have works. It's a toastmaster too but it's all rounded off, kind of shaped like an airstream camper.

 

[Yooper]

Mom's OLD toaster that finally quit working was similar to the one in the photo below. I simply cannot find one exactly like it; I've never have seen another like it. Instead of just the side opening, the top was attached to the side that opened (similar hinge arrangement, though). It formed a 'U' when open. You'd plug it in to preheat, insert the bread into the slots and close the thing.

It was supposed to pop open when the toast was done. It did so at unpredictable intervals. When it worked, occasionally it would fly open with such force the toast would be propelled across the room; it more often would never pop open so you'd have to monitor it closely otherwise end up with a piece of charcoal.

The heating elements must have failed last spring. I think she saved it in the garage; I'll have to remember to look next summer. It was her Dad's, I think she grew up with it. Remember she lives at her Dad's (my Grandfather's) old Hunting Camp, everything there was retired from the year-round house when he built the cabin in the 1950's.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Pop up toasters always leave me lacking. They seem fun, but if I have to have one instead of a toaster oven, I don't want the popup. My new home has a paucity of counter space, so I need the oven. There are wayyyy too many times I want to heat something that is not just a piece of bread or has cheese to melt on it, etc.

 

[tarallucci]

In the past I didn't care much but now I go mental about it and want the best of everything for the lowest price. Sometimes I wait months and study how the market works for the item. I don't feel like using cheap stuff when you can have decent stuff for a little more paying a bit of attention and having patience. Small items like plugs and adapters or anything urgent I take them from the shop but I'm always butthurt for the additional charge lol. I can see when something is not worth the price and I can do without. Online I also keep an eye on the overall service quality, no point getting an item for a low price and then the shipping, communication, customer care and warranty are bad.

 

[roadtripboy]

Update....

Monday someone came through my checkout line with a Black and Decker for $19. I thought: that will work. It was cheap, the finish matched my B&D toaster oven (they sit side by side) so I get one of those. I go to get it. It was the last one we had in stock. So, Tuesday I go the nearby town to see if the store there has one, they don't. I decide to go see what Big Lots has. I bought this Sunbeam for $15. It seems to work fine.