Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I hated my toaster. It was a simple machine, yet would behave in a demonic fashion -- the same setting would leave one set of slices raw, then char the next set. I researched toasters on the internet and was dismayed to find that my horrible toaster was often rated most desireable on the consumer opinion sites. Argh! Thus, when I had the chance to try this toaster, I jumped at it, and, boy, am I glad I did. The toaster features attractively illuminated digital controls for the up/down/up to check it/bagel/defrost settings, and an analog slider for 'more or less browning.' It works consistently and easily. It does take two quick button presses to get the bagel and defrost settings, a non-intuitive operation that may frustrate unsuspecting houseguests or folks who don't like gadgets. I was extremely surprised to find how much we appreciated having space to toast four pieces of bread at once. There are only two of us, so how big a deal was it that someone had to wait another 60 seconds or so to get their bread for toasted sandwiches or the toast for their eggs. As it turns out, it was a big deal that we never had bothered to acknowledge... being able to sit down to eat together removes just one more of life's little irritations, and we all need less of those, don't you think? Who knew that it is also occasionally desireable to toast a very long piece of bread? Turns out that it is very handy, and the contiguous slots (two very long slots on each side rather than four separate slots) allow this to be done. The toaster has performed flawlessly and with only a very few checks using the "lift and look" feature or adjustments of the darker/lighter slider on frozen waffles, fresh bread, store-bought bread, store-bought english muffins, and what we here in Iowa call bagels. I am sure much of the nation will discount anything I have to say about bagels, but whether they were Thomas' from the grocery store or fresh-made from Panera, the toaster handled them beautifully -- warm throughout, no burnt edges, nicely crunchy on the cut side. I am sure my techno-loving brother will be pleasantly envious with regard to this sleek and fancy toaster over the holidays but rather suspect that my husband's 'less is more' side of the family will ask rather pointedly what happened to the perfectly good toaster we used to have. So I suppose that backing my car over it is probably a bad idea, and I should just make sure it goes somewhere deserving. The garbage can comes to mind. THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER: Every time I get the toaster out of the cabinet, I think "I should tell people how much I still love this toaster." So, here I am. It just does what I want it to... I set the lever for the lightness/darkness, press the button and get toast or bagel or frozen waffle or raisin toast or... anything! The crumb tray is super easy to empty and goes back into place without a lot of wiggling. The plug has a nicely shaped end that is easy to grasp to unplug, even if you've got a bit of arthritis... I just remain very, very happy with this toaster and I hope we'll be together a long time.