High end audio meets high end toaster

For the conneisseur who treats gourmet cooking like high end audio: plumbing the depths of marginal returns for the ultimate in status. $300 US, 18lb of billet-like steel construction, available with matching "value priced" Espresso machine, waffle maker, and other appliances.

Why an 18lb 4 slice toaster? Simple. Why not!

Goes well with your Meridian, McIntosh, Mark Levinson, or Krell audio components. If you don't have one, at least you can aspire to own one, even if it means putting of on the Wusthof steak knife set. It will make your toast with rhythm and pace, airy highs, and velvety smoothness.

http://proline.kitchenaid.com/counter_top/2_4_slice_toaster_detail.asp

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006A4PAU/qid=1105260187/sr=8-18/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl79/103-7173633-5291841?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=507846

$300 is definitely a bit pricey for a home toaster.

But...

I was just telling my wife the other day, as she was complaining about this years' toaster, that I'd be willing to pay much more than what we have for one that works satisfactorily. It seems like we buy a new one every year or two. They don't toast evenly, they die, they break....etc. Now, my thoughts are "What can we expect if we keep only spending $15...."

Not $300, but I'd spend $100 on one if it worked well and for a decent length of time!

For that price it should butter the toast for you

.

In reply to:
$300 is definitely a bit pricey for a home toaster.

$300 would be a lot for a home toaster, but that's not a home toaster they're selling. It's for resturants. Some place that's going to be making toast all day, every day.

Although I agree with you. I've never come across a home toaster that didn't s@ck. I too would pay $100 for a good one.

Hmmmm, I wonder how long it would be to break it in and so you could truly appreciate the toast. What gauge wire do you think would be optimal for the power cord?

In reply to:
What gauge wire do you think would be optimal for the power cord?

Doesn't matter.

I'd immediately throw it out and replace it.

It's funny this should come up, because I've had the same kind of experience, and my wife is currently disenchanted with the toast fidelity at the tuttle compound.

We've tried MANY different toasters, from the yearly-cheap toasters, to toaster ovens, to our current Cuisinart 4-slice model. Best one we ever had was an $8 Toastmaster. I feel like BBIBH and other sages saying it, but spending more money on a toaster does not guarantee superior results. The Cuisinart was not cheap, but it sucks too.

We're basically committed to trying some commercial model next time, but I think the minimum buy-in is closer to $200 than $100.

Also, do you guys know Dr. Toast?

Go with "tube toasters", they give a much more mellow colour to the toast and they do a great job on bagels as well

.

Aww...thanks for associating me with sages!!!

It is true, high price can allow you the opportunity to design a better piece - but does not guarantee it.....

So, does the person break in to the quality of the toast, or does th toast get better after 100 hours of use?!?!?!
Do we need quality bread or can we use cheap stuff?

Mike, I ALWAYS learn a lot from you, and really appreciate the high signal/noise ratio of your posts.

I believe in toaster break-in. Frankly, I like cheap, white bread toast. So, I guess I'm looking for a toaster that improves the quality of all source material, and doesn't require well-made bread for a satisfying experience. Maybe I need a more laid-back toaster.

We bought my father-in-law one of those Lightwave toaster ovens for Christmas. I used it a couple times when we visited for the holidays, but was not blown away.

Guys, seriously, I need a new toaster, am willing to spend money, and want your suggestions.

Signal to noise.....HA....classic!!!!

Thanks Tom!!!!

On a side note, my girlfriend has her own business - Homemade Jams!!!

Tom, I'm sure not gonna be much help. I've never spent more than $20 for a toaster, and they've all stunk. I was complaining to my sister about my cheap toasters, and was explaining that I was steeling myself to spend a whole lot more in order to get a toaster that would at least toast evenly on both sides. She said she paid $90 for her toaster, and it didn't toast evenly either. At that point I threw up my arms and gave up hope of EVER having a piece of evenly toasted toast. Dirty rackenfracken%%*)__)%&$^#%%()__@(%!!!!

In reply to:
On a side note, my girlfriend has her own business - Homemade Jams!!!

OH! I'd weigh 350 lbs in a nanosecond. YUM!

i still prefer the old school toaster ovens like this. i have had one of these since i was a kid, and i am just used to it. some say its too big, some say too slow.. some say too complicated to work. i say, its the most versatile counter top kitchen appliance, next to the microwave.

just my opinion..

bigjohn

I agree with you there, even though mine's just a cheap Black and Decker. It's not perfect, but at least you can see how done the toast is.

In reply to:
at least you can see how done the toast is

true to that.. plus, you can make super quick patty-melts. and heat up leftovers, without them getting soggy like in the microwave. i tell you, i had one of these during my college days, and it was my savior. quick, hot meals. and if you 'just' wanted to make toast, it could do that too..

bigjohn

We've had this one for about a year and it's still going strong. It has lasted longer than any other we've had and it hasn't given us any trouble...yet.

Well, I would drop a mint if I could still get one of these GE chrome babies, from the 60's. My mom had one throughout my childhood. It was by far the best toaster I have ever used - it could actually do light toast that was HOT.

(do you guys hate it when an old topic is resurrected?)

On the subject of toast:

My current favorite toaster is an el cheapo
pannini press

but for the rest of the story...

My dad's first name was Bernard - his family called him Bern. One day, when he was a tyke, his mother was making breakfast. She sliced some bread and put it in the bread-browning-appliance My dad's toaster

and said to my Dad:

"Watch the toast, Bern"...

... and he did.

The toast, of course, was toast. So was the toaster. Fortunately the house did not "bern" down, and there were no casualties.

My Dad was a Scotch drinker (well, to be honest, Scotch, wine, beer but no coolers). In honour of my Dad's 80th birthday a couple of years ago, we threw him a party and I invented a shooter which I named after him: the Watch the toast, Bern:

- 1 oz single-malt Scotch into a shot glass;
- top up with 1/2 oz of Drambuie;
- using a vintage toaster (well, we did) toast some bread and cut into croutons;
- float a crouton on top;
- light on fire!
- chant "Watch the toast, Bern!";
- quaff (blow out flaming alcohol first).

... but, the best toast I ever had was using a fork over the campfire; with my Dad.

I actually really LIKE thread resurrection.

Look out everybody, Scott's on a roll. Hopefully, his toaster has wide slots.

We ended up with this Waring one, because it's what they had at the Costco Business Center. It's pretty good, and pretty consistent, but it's still just a toaster. My boat remains unfloated.

Scotch, Drambuie, a crouton and fire. Welcome home, Scott.