Whether you’re grabbing a pop tart as you rush for the tube or settling in with a syrupy plate of Scotch pancakes, the unassuming toaster is the old reliable of kitchen gadgets. Since Alan MacMasters first patented the Eclipse Toaster in 1893, the simple appliance has been a go-to for crunchy snacks, preferably slathered in butter. Invented in Edinburgh, the original model only toasted one side of the bread, which is thankfully no longer the case. Modern toasters often come with an array of settings and even accessories. Whatever way you like your toast in the morning, there is a model to suit you.
How does a toaster work?
A toaster’s interior is lined with heating elements in the form of nichrome wires. After placing your bread into the cradle and pushing it down, a wedge inside the toaster connects the electricity supply with the nichrome wires. When electricity runs through the wires they emit heat which toasts the bread/pikelet/teacake you’ve placed in the appliance.
Try this delicious recipe: Josh Niland’s BBQ blue mackerel and burnt tomato on toast.
What do the dials on the side of the toaster mean?
The little numbers on the side of the toaster do not usually represent units of time. In fact, they are measurements of brownness that the toast can achieve and are sometimes called shade settings. Basically, the higher the number, the browner the toast. Typically, a mechanism called a bimetallic strip is connected to the dials. This is a strip of metal comprising two layers, with each layer expanding at a different temperature causing the strip to curl. The number selected determines how far the strip must curl before it breaks the connection with the power supply and triggers the toaster’s pop-up mechanism. The higher the number, the further the strip must curl, which tends to equate to a longer time frame, but is not an exact measuring system.
Newer and more advanced toaster models may include a circuit timer, which is a time-delay switch that allows you to specify your toasting time. While the numbers on these models do represent time, they are the exception as the inner mechanics of a standard toaster tend to be quite simple.
What should I consider when buying a toaster?
Number of slots
Most toaster slots come in pairs, with two and four slot models being the most popular options. If you have limited kitchen space then a two-slotter may be best, but if you have a large family then four slots may be preferable. For houseshares and very large families, there are six slot models on the market.
Variable width slots
This is a mechanism that allows the cradle your bread sits in to expand and compress to the thickness of the slice. This is ideal for people partial to croissants, bagels or particularly thick toast. It also ensures your bread is evenly toasted as the heating elements are at equal distances to both sides.
Slot Depth
The average toaster slot is roughly 12.5cm deep, which is fine for most square loaves, but if you favour pitta, ciabatta or the odd baguette you risk having a toasty bottom and a soggy top. Choosing a model that specifies deep slots of 14cm and above will ensure an even crisping.
Crumb tray
As the name suggests, this is a platform for catching all toasting debris and is usually set in the toaster’s base. Crumb trays are fully detachable, so when the toaster needs cleaning you can simply remove the tray, empty it out and slot it back in.
How do I clean a toaster?
If your model has an aforementioned crumb tray, remove and empty the tray and wipe it over before clicking it back into place. Use a wet cloth with detergent to wipe over the outside. If your toaster is sans crumb tray, unplug it and hold it upside down over the bin while you shake out the bready remains. As with the crumb tray models, finish off by wiping over the outside.