Unplug and do not use the toaster. Replace the timer immediately. Spare timers are available from www.dualit.com and must be fitted by a qualified electrical engineer. The Cuisinart Style Collection 4 Slot Toaster is the perfect choice for bagel lovers. It's a more common feature in American toasters to have a bagel setting, which will toast the inside of the bagel while leaving the outside nice and chewy, but because Cuisinart is an American classic brand, we got to experience the joys of a bagel setting for ourselves. One thing to note is that you should place the bagel with the outside facing in if you want the inside to be toasted on the bagel setting. It browned faster and more evenly than most other models on test, producing perfectly browned bread in a little over a minute and a half. Most others took more than two minutes and while 30 seconds might not seem much, if you’re rushing to get the kids to school, that could make all the difference. When first using the toaster from cold, we would suggest that you preheat the elements before toasting the bread. To do this, please turn the timer dial to its full extent and drop your bread in when the timer reaches the 2.5 minute mark. This will allow the end castings sufficient time to heat up. Hand-built in the UK since 1945, this is the toaster to buy if you don't want to fork out for another one for many years to come. It's a steep investment, yes, but the price reflects the fact that its makers believe it’s a toaster that will last a lifetime.

There’s no automatic pop-up, although it does have lovely wide slots, you just lower your toast in manually using the lever at the front then turn the browning control to the desired setting and it starts to count down.The genius of the toasting lever does not end there. If you want to keep your toast warm, you can have the elements off, but the lever down. This means that the residual heat from the toasting is used to keep your toast toasty. Or, at least, above room temperature. Of course, none of the above would mean much if the Newgen didn't create impeccable toast. Given that a toaster costing perhaps as little as one tenth the price of the 4-slice model can happily produce perfectly adequate toast, the Newgen really needs to deliver on this score.

How many watts does the toaster operate on? The higher the watts, the faster it toasts. A low wattage that gives a slower toasting speed will more likely produce toast that is chewy, rather than crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. A good power level for a two slice toaster would be 1000W or above and for a four slice toaster, 1800W or above. However, the type of bread you toast has the greatest effect; different varieties toast at different speeds, with different outcomes. This will be influenced by the quality of the elements, the build quality and material. These factors will in turn affect the price. Take a look at the fittings, switches, dials etc. Does the manufacturer operate a repairs service? Are replacement parts available? There are things you can do to help maximise the life of your toaster; clean the slots regularly with a soft brush to remove bread particles and any oils from the bread, empty the crumb tray regularly and keep the toaster in a dry place where heat and condensation cannot cause damage. For couples and families, a four-slot or four-slice model is a better option – ensuring preparing toast for your brood at breakfast-time or simply serving up eggs on toast for two is an altogether speedier affair. If you’re fixated on a particular look, don’t despair, many brands produce two- and four-slot toaster models that look the same. Why do I need a toaster? Despite its premium nature, the 2-slice Newgen is very compact. The 4-slice is naturally somewhat bigger, but it's not a hulking great thing like the KitchenAid Artisan toaster.slice and 4 slice are the most widely found toaster sizes. If there are more than a couple of people using the toaster at the same time, then a 4 slice will be most useful or for large families a six slice. Dualit's Classic Toasters are available to buy in two, three, four and six slice versions. Safety Tip: When in use, there should be nothing above the toaster that could cause the heat produced to accumulate, so make sure you have space in your kitchen where the toaster can be used that isn't under cupboards or near curtains. It also has a defrost button so there aren’t any ‘Oh no, I forgot to take the bread out of the freezer’ moments, while the one side toasting function is good for bagels and the reheat perfect for those of us that sometimes get distracted and leave the toast to cool. However, if you are still experiencing uneven toasting, you may wish to return the toaster to Dualit for inspection. If under warranty, the toaster should be returned to us via the retailer. Toasters can come in a huge range of styles, from cutting-edge modern designs to those with retro appeal. If co-ordinating appliances are important to you, look for toasters that come in a variety of colours and that offer matching kettles. A stainless steel cleaner can be used on the central cover only. It should not be used on the ends as this would cause discolouration. Instead we recommend that you clean the end castings with a damp cloth and then use a soft dry cloth to polish them afterwards.

One or more of the elements may need replacing, call the helpline or visit www.dualit.com for replacements As well as a decent variable control to give you your chosen perfect shade of brown, you should also look for defrost and keep warm functions. We also think the De'Longhi Ballerina Toaster is reasonably priced for how luxe it feels to use. Its design was noticeably sturdy during testing and the toast comes out with far fewer lines on the bread. The mode selection knob cleverly lets you choose how many of the 2 or 4 slots to use at any given time. This saves on electricity costs and is particularly handy on the larger model. While it’s the unique patented ProHeat elements are virtually indestructible, if anything should go wrong, parts are super easy to replace or repair. That makes this a sustainable, quality and durable buy - the full works.If you need a toaster for commercial use, such as in a hotel, B&B, café or canteen, then your considerations will more likely differ slightly. The toaster's output, for example, could be the deciding factor.