Customer Reviews

Haier TST850DS Die-Cast Stainless-Steel 2-Slice Toaster

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

First off, it's not 11 lbs as the description says more like 2 or 3. Heavy duty construction yet light weight, looks cool, air cooling vents, toaster does not eat up on the exterior, screens holds bread in center so bread toasts evenly, quiet pop-up, toasts quickly, setting for frozen stuff and bagels, settings easily adjusted, etc. This is the one to buy. I've only used it a few times so far, so I don't know how durable it is but so far I'm very impressed. Highly recommended.

I did some searching of various reviews of older-style looking toasters and this suited my price range and had enough features too. The cancel button is nice as you learn how high to turn the dial for toast etc. and with the english muffin or bagel setting you can toast the inside but not the crusty part....sweet! It takes a short while, but better that than constantly burning things like our old toaster (or waiting an eternity like our toaster-oven) it seems well regulated in the levels of toasting if you follow what I mean. There's a frozen button we have yet to explore- we have only had it a couple weeks if that, but also I like the medium size very much- not too large on the counter... hope that helps. PS:- it was sent immediately- terrific job!

I bought my beloved Sunbeam at an auction for 25 cents about 8 years ago. It has led a happy life, spoiling me and - no doubt - its previous owner(s) with perfect toast, slice after golden slice. I had to find another one that would, hopefully, last another 56 years! I read all the customer comments and opted for the Haier. It's a dandy, both in style and function. Toasts beautifully and looks great on my counter top with its classic 50's styling. I couldn't be happier with my choice and the price is unbeatable. I strongly recommend you consider this toaster if you want top quality at a fair price. As for my Sunbeam...it deserves a rest after so many years of perfect toast.

Our old toaster wasn't doing a very good job, so we needed a replacement. The criteria were 1) had to work well, 2) reasonable price, 3) stainless/black to match our kitchen, and 4) two-slice since there are only two of us.

Now, I'm not going to spend $200+ for a toaster, so models like those from Dualit were eliminated. Consumer reviews raised significant concerns about several models. For example, I find America's Test Kitchen reviews helpful but they recommended a Farberware model and there were quite a few negative consumer comments about this line.

My initial cut included T-Fal, Cuisinart, Kitchenaid, Braun, and the Haier. Several folks didn't like the first three. The Braun was interesting because it had a single, long slot that would fit baguettes. However, folks weren't uniformly happy with it either. This left the Haier, and I'm happy with it.

The Haier is a little wider than some bargain-price toasters. The styling is kind of retro industrial, and it doesn't look cheap or flimsy. I like it but it may not appeal to those who prefer a sleek modern look. At 850 watts, it is similar to a lot of other 2-slice units.

The Haier is quite functional. Ventilation slots in the sides keep it cool while it operates. The crumb tray slides out for easy cleaning (on my previous toaster the tray swung out, so you had to unplug the toaster and hold the whole thing over the sink or trash can to dump the crumbs). The cancel button is a nice feature, better than having to jiggle the lever to stop a toast cycle. The bagel setting toasts just one side, great for bagels and English muffins. We haven't used the defrost setting, so can't report on that.

Toasting is even and fast. The toast setting dial allows a wide range of settings. Overall, this toaster works great and I heartily recommend it. The price makes it a great value.

I purchased this item on January 6, 2009. It looked a little flimsey but I liked that it had a stainless steel finish. I didn't use the toaster very much--maybe ten times in the 45 day period before the lever would not stay down. When I called the company to see about the warranty, which is one year, they told me that they would replace the product for $14.99 shipping and handling expense. That's more than 50% of the cost of the toaster. I'm debating whether to return it because it's not built solidly and I might have the same problem again.

Thirty years ago, we bought a 2-slice toaster (a Sunbeam) that worked great and lasted for 20 years. Ever since it died, I've been unable to find one that even comes close to that little Sunbeam's performance - even today's "Sunbeam" product. Until now.

First, some background. What I'd been putting up with for the last two years is a T-Fal. It works, but it's sooooo slow, and when the bread finally pops up, it's so cool, I can't even get butter to melt when I spread it on the toast. And, like most toasters I've seen over the past 10 years, if you observe the heating elements light up during toasting, many seem stuck to the insulator on which they're wound and don't glow red, so they are probably not contributing much heat. I say that because that's where the bread is unevenly toasted.

When I saw Amazon's great price on this model (this was as of 12/11/08 at only around twenty bucks) I figured I'd give it a try. I mean, that's not too big a risk. I just got it today, plugged it in, ran it through a few "dry cycles" to burn off the heating elements and then tried a real batch of toast. I was blown away!

The toast came out evenly toasted - not perfect, but the best I've seen in 10 years. You'd have to be really nitpicking to complain about the uniformity of toasting. Not only that BUT - the toast was HOT! I mean really HOT the way toast should be fresh out of a toaster. I'm going to order another one as a backup because my experience so far tells me toasters like this may be hard to find in the future.

This one is a keeper!

[.......] for a a sturdy toaster made of cast metal? Quite the deal.

Retro style? I don't think I ever saw any old toaster that looked like this, but let's call it an interesting interpretation. It may not fit into everyone's style, but it works for me.

It offers a few options, like defrosting frozen bread and toasting the inside only of bagels, and the slots are big enough.

There is no lift option to access little pieces of bread that don't stick up, but that isn't too terrible.

It has little moving screens that center the bread in the wide slots.

The control knob could use a white or metal marker to make it easier to see its position, and it has the usual lower settings that are, as usual, worthless. If you set it at 1,2, or three you might as well put your toast out in the sun. I guess they have to do something with the space on the dial.

Sturdy, interesting design, it toasts just fine (I am still waiting for the atomic blast toaster that works in five seconds). And all this for $20! Pretty amazing.

This item arrived quickly and was a good value with Amazon's
free shipping. It looks cool in a retro sort of way and works
fine, for the most part.

Now for a few (small) complaints:

1. The slots are wide enough for bagels but they are not long
enough for a common piece of Orowheat bread. The bread is a bit
too long to fit into the slots without folding it or forcing it.
The slots measure 138 mm long (a bit less than 5 1/2 inches).

2. The black dial with numbers on it is how you adjust the darkness
setting. The numbers don't move, only the center knob turns. The
problem is that the mark on the center knob is molded into the
black plastic and is hard to see. So you have to look closely at
the toaster (under good lighting) to see the darkness setting.

I used some white liquid paper to paint over this mark, which is
what Haier should have done...

3. The toaster rocks slightly on its feet (about 1/8"). It is
unbalanced when placed on a flat countertop.

After reading all the reviews on Amazon I decided I needed this toaster. Had been looking for one with all the features this has and was not disappointed. I love toaster strudels, but they usually came out burnt on outside & still half frozen on inside til now. Bagels are really good as are English muffins. Can't believe how even it toasts just regular bread. I love the slide out crumb tray--no more crappy crumbs all over the sink & trash can. I remember toast like this makes. Didn't think I would ever find a toaster that really makes old fashioned real toast. Do not be afraid of the negative comments--this thing works great. Buy it.

Length:: 0:11 Mins

This toaster does a nice job if you can get the lever to stay down. If you hold it down for 15-20 seconds, it will usually stay down. I would normally call the company but I see where they offered someone else a replacement for $14.95. We're going to buy a different toaster.