Customer Reviews

Dualit Classic 4-Slice Toaster, Chrome

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

I have mixed feelings about this item. So much so that I put off reviewing it for a long time. I've owned mine over a year now, and it is time to speak up.

On the one hand, I really want to like it. And not just because I spent a good sized hunk of cash on it. I like the idea of an industrial, commercial-grade toaster that makes great toast, is indestructible, and looks great doing it.

On the other hand, I kind of don't like it. It takes up a lot of space, the slots aren't wide enough for a bagel, or deep enough for a wide piece of bread. I had to buy the optional sandwich cages to allow me to stuff bread into the slots that wouldn't otherwise fit. It needs to be preheated, and even after it is, the toast is inconsistent and uneven.

It does look great on the counter, and feels very heavy-duty. But, it just isn't very good at making toast, and that is supposed to be the point.

Sadly, I don't think I would buy this again.

My love for this toaster lasted all of two days. Were I not so thrilled with its looks, I would have thrown it out in the first 20 minutes. It's like a handsome, charming man who happens to be useless, lazy, and incompetent.

Now two years have passed, and I hate the thing. It still warms up slowly, still toasts WILDLY unevenly, still takes up too much space, still has slots that can't accommodate thick bread or wide bread, and now even the ticking of the timer has begun to get on my nerves. Probably because I know that after three minutes of listening to it, 1/2 of my slice will be toasted, 1/4 of my slice will be burnt black, and 1/4 of my slice will be untouched by heat. I'd have gotten a better piece of toast if I lit the $300 on fire and waved a slice of bread over the flames.

I got online today to buy a new toaster, and decided to swing by here to warn any prospective buyers of this Dualit away!

THE FULL STORY

I first encountered a Dualit toaster while staying at the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong. The hotel provided an enormous buffet, part of which included a big basket of breads that could be toasted. The hotel's 4-slice Dualit was in constant use. I was impressed both by its uncomplicated design and its ability to make toast in about a minute (much to the dismay of several hotel guests, who left a slice inside too long and came back to find it was black!)

First, the looks. The Dualit is sleek. Although they come in colors, the traditional model is shiny stainless steel. The controls are simple - a toggle switch (which controls whether the heating elements turn on for 2 slots or all 4 slots) and a timer. It is somewhat retro looking and very solid. Although I am not a big fan of keeping appliances on the counter, I make an exception for the Dualit. Note: If you have limited counterspace, the Dualit may not be for you. It definitely takes up more space than your average toaster.

Now, the function. The Dualit is extremely simple compared to your average plastic, bank-freebie model. There is no spring loaded "pop-up" feature like on most modern toasters. Instead, you put the toast in the slots and move a small lever on the front of the machine, which lowers the toast into the toaster. When the toast is done (or if you want to sneak a peak), you push the lever back in the other direction and raise the toast back up.

The only knob is a timer, which is based on minutes (rather than the light/medium/dark settings that most toasters have). After you lower the toast, you set the timer and wait for the bell. If you want the toast to stay warm, you can leave it in.

My only criticism is that it takes a little experience to find how much time it takes to get the doneness you like. I find that it takes a little while for the toaster to hit peak heat - it usually takes longer to toast the first batch than the second batch. Once it heats up it toasts very fast.

One last warning - this baby is expensive. If you have ever read my reviews, you know that it is my philosophy that is is better to invest up front in a quality item that will last 20 years than it is to buy a low end product that has to be replaced (and stuck in the landfill) every couple of years. Target.

CONCLUSION

Highly recommended, for the person willing to make the investment. Great performance and style. What more can you ask for!

I bought this product (the 4 slice, shiny chrome model) back in June 2004. I had "discovered" Dualit toasters a couple of months prior, and had been coveting one, as my 2 year old Wally World toaster was starting to kick the bucket. Since my family and I had now went through 3 toasters in only 12 years, I started thinking it might make sense to buy a higher quality product.

When I first started researching them on the internet, I truly was mind-boggled by the price. However, by the next morning, when I had to toast my son's frozen waffles 4 times in a row in our only 2 year old Wally World toaster, I started reconsidering. So, I returned to Amazon and placed it on my Wish List, with the plans of checking the price from time to time. Much to my suprise, a couple of months later, it went on a drastic sale...less than 50% of what it sells for today. I have no clue as to why...perhaps the box packaging design was changed, or something else? I really don't know, but as far as the toaster, it was brand new, and looks exactly like the ones being sold today.

A few days later, my Dualit arrived, and I anxiously took it out of the box. I was a little suprised at the large size of it, but it quickly grew on me as I like the retro look of it. It also had a nice hefty weight to it, that spoke of quality.

After plugging it in, I immediately tried it out on a couple of slices of white bread...and burned my toast to a charred black mess. The next time around, with a bit of experimentation with a lower number on the timer, I had toast success. Over the last 3 1/2 years, I have consistenly gotten evenly toasted bread, bagels, waffles, etc. When using a cold toaster, I get the best results by pre-heating it for just a minute...I put it on one number higher than I really want, and it pre-heats while I am getting my bread or bagel out of the bag. I love the lever that lets me check my toast any time I want, without actually stopping the toasting. Another reason I like this lever is because I usually buy Thomas's Mini Bagels. In a normal toaster, you'd have to dig these small bagels out with wooden tongs. In the Dualit, I simply give the lever a swift swat, and they pop right out. I also really like the fact that toast stays in until I manually pop it up. If I'm cooking eggs, bacon, etc and I'm not ready for the toast yet, it stays warm for a few minutes.

So...why did I give this great product only 4 stars instead of 5? First of all, I really do think it is overpriced. Remember as I said before, I paid slightly less than 50% of what Amazon is selling it for currently. So, I personally think I got the deal of the century, and it's worth every dollar that I paid for it. Secondly, it's a bit of a pain to remember to toggle the switch from 2 to 4 slices. I understand why this feature is there (energy saving), but it's still annoying. After 3 1/2 years we are well used to the switch now, and no longer forget about it. But for the first year or so, we ruined quite a few batches of toast. The third reason is the timer dial. Sometimes I decide to pop up my toast early, and there is still a good bit of time left on the dial. If I try to turn the dial the opposite way to turn the toaster off, it is VERY hard to turn...so difficult that I stopped doing it after a couple of tries, fearing that I would break something inside the timer gears. Perhaps that is just the way the timer dial is designed, but it would be nice if Dualit had addressed it in the instruction guide. The fourth reason, is that the slots are not wide enough to hold a jumbo bagel without smashing it a bit. I personally prefer the Thomas Mini Bagels, which will get practically lost in any toaster, but my husband and son prefer the jumbo bagels. Even though this product is made in England, and perhaps English people don't eat bagels, it would still behoove Dualit to redesign the product with wider slots...all the better for toasting sandwiches, wide bread, etc. Plus the jumbo bagel lovers of the world would be happy. :)

That's pretty much it for my review...long, but hopefully helpful to someone out there. I've already told my son that when his dad and I die, I plan on willing him the Dualit toaster along with my Kitchen Aid mixer (bought refurbished from Amazon for a pittance). He rolls his eyes at me now, but maybe his future wife will appreciate the gesture. :)

This isn't really related to my review, but does anyone know how to SAFELY clean the shiny chrome on the toaster? I'm not the best housekeeper, and don't wipe mine off after every use. As such, I've developed a few light brown stains around the top slots. I've tried using soap and water, and also Windex, but neither worked. I'm afraid of marring the beautiful finish and haven't tried anything else. Any suggestions? If so, please add a comment to this review. Thanks!

I received the Dualit toaster yesterday and spend last evening making toast, toast, and more toast....wanting to see if my investment was worth it. I'm pleased to say that I'm extremely happy with the results.

I tried several kinds of bread of varying thicknesses (store bought and artisan), bagels, and even homemade English muffins which usually need the broiler to prepare. Althought the first batch (as the directions indicate) takes a little longer than subsequent batches, the toaster was very fast. I achieved consistant browning on both sides and in all slots.

Any concerns I had at investing more than $300 for a toaster vanished quickly. it seems to be a real workhorse, is solidly built, and has a minimum of parts to break, unlike most toasters on the market today. And it looks great!!!!

I'll give an update in a month or two, but so far, I could't be happier.

After years as a Dualit owner, I still get a certain pleasure from using its sensible, rugged controls, raising and lowering the toast myself, hearing the friendly ticking of its timer...
It's only a toaster I know, but there's just something about it that gives you a sense of satisfaction. And it makes any kitchen look cool, just siting there. I also know it's expensive, but I've known people buy several new, lesser toasters in the time I've had my Dualit, so who's saving? If something does go wrong, I can get new bits so I won't have to throw it away, ever perhaps.

By the way, it makes good toast too. The best thing is that the toast doesn't pop up, and toast is much crisper if you leave it down (keeping warm) inside the toaster for a minute or two. You can't usually do this with regular toasters.

If you are resistant of the price, think again, it's well worth the investment!

I have wanted a Dualit Toaster for a long time. When Amazon had a great deal a few weeks ago, I got one. I toast some sort of bread almost every day of the week. I had never had an English muffin exactly the way I wanted it until I got my Dualit. Yes, there is a little learning period, but, be patient and it will be really worth the time. It is an excellent appliance.

Yes, it is expensive, but, you do get what you pay for and this toaster is definitely worth it.

I just received two of the sandwich cages. I have not used them yet but will be happy to review those when I do.

I had a well equipped kitchen before and now it's pretty much complete.

The English take their toast seriously, and while I don't share their affinity for beans on toast for breakfast, I lusted after this gorgeous piece of appliance art at Williams-Sonoma for years. About seven years ago, when the dollar was still strong versus the British pound, I bought the 2+2 combi model by mail from a restaurant supplier in the UK for about $100 less than the then-going US price. While it's a bit dicey fitting thick-cut bagels into the slots (not a big bread item in the UK), I solve the problem by using the sandwich baskets to contain them. The toasting is even, and I actually the enjoy the old-fashioned timer without pop-up, which keeps the toast warm while the rest of breakfast is being assembled. Unlike others, I do not unplug it after each use. Never had a problem. The crumb tray is terrific, and actually does catch every bit of crumb without a mess. I've had the $100 Krups and Cuisinart models, which burned out within two years. This one is made for restaurant use, and I expect it to last a lifetime. Worth every penny, if you appreciate high-end kitchen appliances and tools.

This is the best toaster ever! For decades, I have wanted this toaster, but never bought it because it was "too expensive". But, my husband did the math, and for all the toasters we bought over the past 40 years searching for the "perfect" one, we paid nearly twice over the cost of this 4-slice Dualit. We finally decided to get our Dualit when it was featured on the "Friday Sale" -- and we got a major price break because we got the metallic blue -- the exact color in our kitchen tile pattern! This makes perfect toast, and for us, it's worth every penny!

After years as a Dualit owner, I still get a certain pleasure from using its sensible, rugged controls, raising and lowering the toast myself, hearing the friendly ticking of its timer...
It's only a toaster I know, but there's just something about it that gives you a sense of satisfaction. And it makes any kitchen look cool, just siting there. I also know it's expensive, but I've known people buy several new, lesser toasters in the time I've had my Dualit, so who's saving? If something does go wrong, I can get new bits so I won't have to throw it away, ever perhaps.

By the way, it makes good toast too. The best thing is that the toast doesn't pop up, and toast is much crisper if you leave it down (keeping warm) inside the toaster for a minute or two. You can't usually do this with regular toasters.

If you are resistant of the price, think again, it's well worth the investment!