While shopping for a toaster would appear to be an easy task, there are things to consider in a four-slice toaster. It is not as straightforward as some may think. Before making a purchase, you need to know what slot thickness you need, whether you want a warmer, and whether you need a defroster.
Things to Consider
When looking to purchase a toaster, there are several factors to consider. While making the purchase would appear to be relatively simple to some, it may be more complicated than you may have imagined.
What Will the Machine Toast?
If you love bagels make them often, you need a toaster that is wide enough to accommodate their size. The same goes for waffles, pop-up pastries, etc. Also, consider the thickness of your bread. Not all bread is cut the same way. These factors play into what type of machine you will need.
If everyone makes toast in the same fashion, a one-level model will be adequate. However, if everyone has different settings, you may want to consider one with two levers. If you love bagels, you will need one that has this feature. It will allow you to toast the bagel on one side while warming the other, which will not work as well in a traditional toaster.
What is Your Budget?
While this appears to be a silly question since we are talking about a four-slice toaster, you do get what you pay for in any small appliance. While it may be cheap, if you are continually purchasing a replacement, it may not be as effective over the long term.
Some cheaper toasters will do a good enough job. However, for everyday usage, invest in a more durable model. These will be better able to withstand regular usage and daily abuse without falling apart.
Space Size
“it’s just a toaster,” you may think to yourself. However, large, clumsy toasters with dangling cords aren’t much fun when you are cooking and need room. They need to either fit nicely on your countertop or neatly in a cupboard without taking up too much room.
Do You Need a Defrost Setting?
If so, you may need to pay a bit more. Toasters that defrost bread and bagels are very convenient and nice to have. In the time it takes to unthaw on the counter or warm in the microwave, it can be perfectly toasted in the machine. Also, what about if you forget to take them out? Then the defrost feature makes it ideal for your lifestyle.
Do You Need a Warming Function?
If you aren’t prone to eating your toast right after it is toasted, you may want one with a warming function. This toaster will keep it warm until you are ready to consume it without further toasting it.
High Lift Functions
This function will allow you to push the toast up higher than normal. It is useful in preventing smaller slices of bread from becoming stuck in your toaster. They can be easily removed without burning your fingertips.
Crumb Tray
Toasters generally come with a removable crumb tray that resides along the base of the unit. It is useful in cleaning your toaster out as it catches all the crumbs while toasting. This should be done on a regular basis to keep your toaster in optimal shape, and to prevent a fire from occurring.
Best Four Slice Toasters
Each person will need something different regarding a toaster. Some of us are fine with a regular toaster for white bread. Others of us enjoy bagels or artisan bread. For these types of foods, you need to ensure that your toaster can accommodate them. Otherwise, you may end up toasting them in your oven.
This toaster has an industrial appeal in terms of design. It has a brushed chrome exterior with an art-deco type of appearance. The Dinstinta Flair provides various settings for different types of bread. It also browns nicely and evenly.
Its wide slots can accommodate artisan bread and will create toast in two minutes.
- Distinctive appearance- great for older homes
- Browns toast perfectly without drying
- Quick
- Slots may not be deep enough
This timeless and versatile design makes a bold statement in a kitchen. The slots are extra-wide and generous. Tall bread slices can be placed horizontally. It comes with 11 browning settings, defrost, and keep warm settings.
- Comes in six different colours: black, cream, white, blue, green, and pink
- Stainless steel construction
- Defrost and reheat functions
- Can toast bagels
- Built-in cord storage
- Takes longer to toast
- Uneven toasting
This toaster is very budget-friendly and reliable. The best feature about this machine is that it toasts bread evenly and handles thick-sliced bread. While toasting may take a bit longer, it has exceptional performance
- Toasts evenly
- Not for bagels
- No keep warm function
- Toasting takes longer
The KitchenAid Artisan has a bit of a retro look. Its eye-popping colour draws attention, no matter where you place it in the room. This toaster contains die-cast metal construction and has a sophisticated depth of toast settings.
The slots have sensors, a toastie rack, and extra-wide slots.
- Professional technology for a toaster
- Retro design
- Durable
- Large toaster design- takes up counter space
This toaster is another retro-looking design. The Swan Gatsby will reheat, defrost, and do bagels. It has a bread lift feature, so you won’t have to dig into the toaster to remove a slice of toast.
It comes with seven levels of heat ranging from lightly toasted to a shade below well-done.
- Defrost and even coverage
- Functions include cancel, defrost, bagel, and reheat
- Bread lift and slide-out crumb tray
- Little on the larger side
These four-slice toasters make a wonderful addition and statement to any kitchen. Be sure before purchasing to make sure they will do what you need them to. Aside from that, which one you select will depend on your décor and your personal preference.
