There are times when the old adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t hold up. Sometimes the less expensive option turns out to be best.
Best Inexpensive Toaster
Dear Mary: Does anyone make a decent, simple, reliable pop-up toaster? I don’t need it to do anything but make evenly toasted toast! —BevDear Bev: I was wondering the same thing. After a good deal of research, I narrowed the field to the Hamilton Beach Keep-Warm 2-Slice Toaster. I am so happy with it that it has become my new pick for the Best Inexpensive. Here are the reasons I am such a fan:
- The bread slots handle all thicknesses of things to be toasted: bagels, Texas toast, English muffins, thin-sliced bread, and regular sized bread.
- When I press down on the handle, clamps gently move into place to hold the toast straight and upright. And when the toast is ready, I just lift up the handle, which gives the toast a boost and makes it easy to remove.
- The Keep Warm feature is really nice! It keeps the toast warm for three minutes without over-toasting.
- It has a Defrost option (nice!) as well as a special setting for bagels.
- I love that it is very lightweight, which lets me easily store it in a lower cabinet (I like a clean, clear countertop).