Best Toaster: Dualit Toaster Review

Buy the Dualit Toaster from Zappos

Before going any further, it's important to point out that not everyone loves their Dualit toaster. There certainly are negative reviews on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk as well as the many positive reviews. 

There are reports of problems with the toaster: the timer, the element, and even the mechanical toast lifter. You can buy replacement element or timer (Dualit recommend it's fitted by a qualified electrician) if it's outside of the warranty. We would certainly take this approach if we had a problem with our toaster. 

There are several reasons why I love my Dualit toaster:

1. It has a mechanical lever so you can pop the toast up and check on it without turning the toaster off. I love this. It really annoys me when I'm staying somewhere else and have to use a toaster that you have to stop to check on your toast. It's such a simple feature, but it works brilliantly. 
2. You can easily switch between 1, 2 or 4 slices by turning a knob. 
3. Once it's heated up it cooks toast really quickly so you can have another batch done by the time the first lot is buttered (this is becoming more important in a house with two growing boys ....)
4. I love the sound of the mechanical timer. I don't know why, it's just pleasing!
5. The toaster is easy to clean - just pull out the tray from underneath and empty it of crumbs now and then. 
6. It's beautifully designed aethetically as well as functionally. I love having a design classic in my kitchen. 
7. Oh yes, and it makes good toast too. I'm not sure I'm that fussy about toast, but it works just fine. 

The main downside to the toaster for me is its price. It's not cheap! However, for me it's worth it. I could afford the toaster and I enjoy using it and looking at it every day. 

The Dualit Vario and NewGen models are commercial quality toasters made to last a very long time. You can get replacement elements and a replacement timer should you ever need them - these are the main working parts that could eventually go wrong. 

The Dualit toaster is made in the UK. The toaster appeals to people who want to reduce waste and would rather own one quality toaster than a succession of cheap plastic toasters that end up as landfill. 

But you should be aware that from a financial viewpoint you can buy a lot of cheap toasters for the cost of a Dualit Vario or NewGen!

You may be able to get away with a 2 slice Dualit toaster rather than the larger 4 slice model. Once the toaster is heater up it makes extra slices of toast very quickly. 

I find that I can pop more toast in while I'm buttering the first lot and it's ready but the time I've done the first lot. This means that a couple might find a two-slice Dualit toaster is big enough for them. 

If on the other have you have kids, or plan to have kids (this toaster should last a long time!) then you'll appreciate the ability to make four slices of toast at once, and then another four slices ...

Dualit also make cheaper non-commercial standard toasters while have the gorgeous Dualit look but are only designed to stand up to home use. The Dualit Lite toaster is less expensive, but still offers retro Dualit design. 

Some reviewers actually prefer the Dualit Lite toaster to the classic. It has a more modern set of features and is a less expensive toaster. (It doesn't have the same parts replaceability as the Classic and NewGen models though.)