How to Choose a Toaster

The main things to consider when you're buying a toaster are how many pieces of bread you usually toast at the same time and how wide the slots need to be.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tapes
• Bagels
• Breads
• Butter
• Cream Cheeses
• Frozen Waffles
• Jams And Jellies
• Butter Knives
• Toasters

1. Find the place on your table or countertop where you expect to put the toaster. Measure or make mental note of how much space you have available.

2. Decide how many slots you need in the toaster, depending on how much bread you will toast at the same time. Toasters generally have from 2 to 4 slots.

3. Choose between slots of a regular width or extra-wide slots that can accommodate bagels or Belgian waffles.

4. Choose a toaster with side-by-side slots or with long slots situated end-to-end.

5. Consider special features such as a Defrost or Reheat button, separate toasting controls for each slot, or an extender that causes the toast to pop up higher so you can grab it more easily.

6. Check and compare warranties and service options.

Tips & Warnings

• Toasters with long slots take up more space lengthwise on a countertop, but are narrower than toasters with side-by-side slots.