Versatile toaster

We have the Dualit Combi 2+2 toaster. This model has four oversized slots. You can use these slots either for toasting bread or you can toast sandwiches with the use of a sandwich cage. The toaster only comes with two sandwich cages, but I purchased two more cages, so we can make four sandwiches at a time. The slots are all the same size, and are thick enough to toast bagels or English muffins. They are wide enough to toast regular bread slices, and some extra wide (like Orowheat) bread slices. They are not wide enough to toast some of the really wide specialty breads. Using the sandwich cages, the slots are just thick enough to fit a couple of regular slices of bread, a couple of slices of cheese, and a thin slice of ham. For those who really want to know how big the slots are, here are some measurements: Thickness is 3 cm (1.125 inches) at the top, tapering to about 2.8cm (1.1 inches) at the bottom. Width is 15 cm (6 inches) at the top, tapering to about 13 cm (5.125 inches) at the bottom. Depth is 13.75 cm (5.25 cm).
I have included all of this information regarding slot size because from reading other reviews, it seems that some folks are really concerned with this aspect of design. In practical terms, I’ve never had much of a problem with the slot size. We don’t toast anything larger than a medium size bagel, hamburger bun, or English muffin, so it works fine for us. For folks who constantly toast really huge bagels and other oversized baked goods, this toaster probably isn’t the best choice.

In terms of toasting performance, it works well. The toast is toasted evenly, and the heat output seems consistent, so that toasting bread for the same amount of time gives relatively consistent results. The toast doesn’t pop up when finished, which is a nice feature, because it stays warm while you are otherwise occupied. Other folks who have reviewed these toasters have complained about the toast getting caught and not coming out when you pop it up. We haven’t had this problem at all, perhaps because of the relatively thick slots compared with the non-combi models. The sandwich feature is nice. All of our kids love grilled cheese sandwiches, so we use the toaster to toast sandwiches almost as often as we use it for toast. The sandwiches have to be relatively thin, and it works better if you spread a little butter on the outsides of the sandwich, which keeps the bread from blackening and getting too toasted before the cheese inside melts. For thicker sandwiches, the butter tends to scrape off the bread onto the top of the slot when you insert the sandwich. You need to clean this butter off the top of the toaster (easier if done before you toast the sandwich.) It is still a lot easier than getting out a pan, and grilling the sandwiches on the stove.

Cleaning the toaster is relatively simple. The stainless steel exterior polishes up nicely, and there are some crumb trays in the bottom which remove to dump out crumbs or globs of melted cheese which have dripped down. The controls are simple and easy to operate. Using this toaster, our five year old daughter routinely makes grilled cheese sandwiches and toasted bagels for herself and her little brother. We’ve had this toaster for about 8 months now, and haven’t had any problems with it. It does a good job of toasting bread and making sandwiches, it looks nice, and seems sturdy. Overall, the only thing I don’t like about it is that it is expensive. We paid $320 for it (on sale at Williams and Sonoma,) which seems like a lot for a toaster. If it lasts a long time, then I guess it isn’t so expensive over the long term, but we haven’t had it long enough to really test its durability. My durability rating on this toaster is based on only 8 months of use, so it isn’t really a true indicator of long-term durability.

So far, we really like this toaster. Having 4 toaster slots instead of just two makes it easier to make toast for a family of six. It toasts bread nicely, makes toasted cheese sandwiches, and looks nice. Other than the price, I’ve got no complaints.