Thursday, January 10, 2013

Wading into the toaster minefield


We're in the market for a new toaster. After 18 years of faithful service, the four slice Sunbeam is slowly dying. One side of the element has stopped working so toasting takes twice as long because we need to turn the bread over to get it toasted on the other side.

I'm guessing that whatever we get next isn't going to have that kind of lifespan. Unless we want to pay a ridiculous amount of money for it. I've been looking online. There are toasters out there that cost over $300. Yes, you read that right. $300. I don't care what kind of warranty comes with that. It's a toaster, people. $300 is far too much to spend on a toaster.

Our budget is more like $60-$80. We probably do need a four slice model with our family of hungry children to feed. I can't find many that have positive reviews in this price range.

So I'm asking my blogging buddies. Is anyone out there in love with their toaster and happy to share what they own and why it's so good?


2 comments:

Deb said...

When we got married, one of the kids in our church youth group bought us a toaster from the local supermarket. Must have cost about $15 probably. That toaster lasted more than 8 years! Surprisingly good operation and long-lasting! It was a loyal, faithful breakfast friend and I was sad to see it go. We've had a Breville 4-slice toaster ever since and it's been fine. Bought it at Big W - would have been low-mid of the range. Toasters - meh - I'm not too fussed. Now washing machines...

Karen said...

I've just discovered that all these years I've been thinking our toaster is a Sunbeam when it's actually a Breville. (I didn't buy it to begin with, my parents gave it to me as a leaving home/setting up my own place gift). So there you go, I've learned something today :)
As well as discovering that there are people out there who would actually spend $300 or more on a toaster...

My friend has just recommended me a Sunbeam Quantum. Their's has been going for 8 years. I'd be pretty happy to get that much life out of our next toaster. I'll go and buy it over the weekend. I don't want to spend too much time on it either. I want a new oven though. That's going to need more thinking time....