Toasters

Is there anything more irresistible than the aroma of toasting bread wafting from the kitchen? Early risers had to wait until 1909 before a reliable means of heating bread, without creating a conflagration or a briquette, was manufactured. The first patent was granted to General Electric and an infinite variety of toasting devices have been popping up ever since.

For the Rube Goldberg admirer, there is the Back to Basics model. This was dreamt up either by an efficiency expert or a lazy cook. It not only toasts, it poaches your eggs and heats up your ham or bacon too.

Back to Basics (TEM4500)
Makes a restaurant-style breakfast in about 4 minutes
At 6 pounds, it’s obviously got some serious technology on board.
2 or 4 slice toaster
Currently $47.99 and $65.99
www.toasters.com

For those who demand consistency and quality, there is the unmatched excellence of the Viking toaster. Ignoring today’s “throw-away” society, Viking engineers products to last a lifetime.
Viking Professional Series
2 or 4 Slot Toaster
Currently $250 - $300
Sign of the Bear

DeLonghi Retro Toaster
There’s something slightly reminiscent of a drive-in movie speaker in the DeLonghi toaster. But the retro feel enhances a sturdy and practical appliance from a well-known and reliable manufacturer.
2 or 4 slice toaster
Currently $39.95 and $59.95 www.delonghikitchen.com

Hello Kitty (KT 5211)
Get the kids to eat their carbs by toasting Hello Kitty’s face onto slices of bread. No sugar is needed to add to this saccharine idea.
2 slice toaster
Currently $19.99 at Target

Pylones Paris Design
This colorful and imaginative line of toasters is sure to make mornings more lively for all but the most phototoxic of souls. Oprah herself lauded the toasters as “The most fun kitchen appliance ever, and maybe the most inventive since sliced bread”.
2 slice toaster
Currently $49.95
Sign of the Bear, Sonoma
www.pylones.com