A few years ago, toasters were used exclusively for conventional toasting bread. Today, modern appliances can be used to heat, defrost and even cook food. The trading network is replete with a number of kitchen devices. All toasters differ in technical characteristics, functionality, power. The differences relate to design, type of control, material from which the devices are made. As part of this article, we will consider: types of appliances, how to choose a toaster for your home, what to look for when buying.
There are a number of reasons for choosing a toaster over an oven, microwave oven, or a conventional hob and skillet. Even with a simple appliance, bread is toasted on both sides at the same time. Other important advantages of using a toaster are: maintaining the optimal temperature, no need to preheat the stove or oven, saving time. During the operation of the toaster, the bread does not burn or dry out. The purpose of the article is to acquaint readers with the types of devices, principles of operation and functionality. And, of course, to solve the problem - which toaster is better to choose, what to look for when buying.
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Varieties of toasters
Devices for making croutons are divided into 3 main types: manual, automatic, semi-automatic. Each type of toaster has its own advantages and disadvantages, to a greater or lesser extent. In order for a toaster to be a reliable assistant in the kitchen, you need to know which device to choose, to be guided by its technical capabilities.
Manual or mechanical devices are designed for complete control during the entire process of making bread. To turn the croutons, there is a toasting handle on both sides. At the end of the process, you must manually remove the croutons. The device does not have a timer. To quickly dry bread, you need to set the maximum heating mode and monitor the process. The ready time is set experimentally.
Pros:
- Independent readiness control
- small price;
- no difficulty in leaving.
Minuses:
- Completely manual type of extraction and flipping of slices;
- risk of burning in the absence of control;
- lack of automatic sensors and timer;
- it takes time to control cooking.
Automatic devices almost completely exclude manual operations when setting parameters. Slices of bread are put into the machine and the start button is turned on. The rest of the cooking process takes place automatically. The device will fry the bread on both sides, turn off, signal readiness and discard the finished toast. Some types of toasters provide for one-sided drying of the sandwich bread. Automatic machines are more expensive than manual toasters, but they have increased functionality and quality.
Pros:
- Uncomplicated management;
- saving time due to automated work;
- easy care;
- presence of sound alarm and timer;
- increased functionality.
Minuses:
- High price.
Some types of semi-automatic devices are protected against overheating during irregular operation. Such devices can signal the readiness of toasts with a sound signal. The devices are able to maintain the set temperature.The rest of the process involves almost entirely manual control: turning over, shutting down, removing bread. Some types of semi-automatic devices provide for automatic shutdown at the end of the process.
Pros:
- Ease of use and maintenance;
- low price;
- maintaining the set temperature;
- the presence of a sound alert.
Minuses:
- Manual dredging and flipping.
There are professional and household toasters. Professional devices are suitable for catering. They differ from household appliances in power, performance, and advanced functionality. Appliances are divided into toasters: conveyor type, grill toasters, vertical, horizontal, devices with an additional frying surface, combined with a microwave oven. The pictures below show an illustrative example of a professional conveyor toaster and a device with a frying top.
The principle of operation and the device of the toaster
Coil-shaped heating elements are located inside the instant toast machines. The bread is dried in a heating inner chamber under the influence of infrared radiation from the elements. In general, the spirals are made of non-chrome wire.
Improved models have convection chambers, porcelain and non-stick coating. Outside, toasters are square or rectangular. Low-cost mechanical appliances have a lever for adjusting the toasting and taking out of the bread. Instrument control can be electronic and mechanical. As a rule, in the first version, touch-sensitive switches and a display are provided.
More expensive appliances have automatic cooking, defrosting and shutdown functions. In the classic version, the toaster has a basket with slots for bread. The container is lowered into a closed case. After the slices are fed into the chamber, the slots are closed by the locking bar and the contacts are turned on. Loading hatches are standard sizes - from 12 to 14 centimeters. In the mechanical type of appliance, the basket is lowered manually using a lever.
By acting on the contacts, the control system, heating elements (spirals) and an electric magnet are launched. The bar closes the basket and the timer starts. For forced stop, the device has a shutdown button. After switching off, the bar releases the basket and a special spring pushes the finished bread out.
The devices have the function of "pushing out" the bread at the end of cooking. The toaster basket has pliers for gripping and straightening the slices. Thanks to them, the bread does not burn and dries evenly. The degree of drying and cooking time in many toasters is set electronically. When lowering the racks, the bread is slightly squeezed on both sides. This prevents the slices from warping during cooking.
Toasters have the following main elements: a slice holder, a handle, a return spring, an electromagnetic latch, a crumb tray, a control module. Also available: basket, switch, latch release button, clamping bar, cord. The body of the device is made of heat-resistant materials: plastic, aluminum alloys, stainless steel.
Which toaster to choose
The choice of any electrical appliance for the kitchen must be approached responsibly. An unknown manufacturer of a cheap device is not the best option. There is a risk of rapid breakdown, fire or injury.
Before purchasing a toaster, it is important to decide on the purpose of using the machine. A mechanical or semi-automatic type of appliance is suitable for preparing a small amount of toast. This is a suitable option when you don't need to rush to fry or don't want to overpay for additional functions.
For a large family and time constraints, you should choose the automatic type of device. If the bread is stored in the refrigerator, it is better to choose a toaster with a defrost function.Powerful good toasters from a well-known brand are not cheap. But for a large family - the best option.
Automated machines are capable of preparing a large amount of toast in a short period of time. They also save time. Loading, throwing out ready-made crispbread and turning off such devices is fully automatic. The best toaster option is one with a sturdy steel body and medium power (about 1000 watts). In some advanced models, quartz elements are used instead of chrome spirals. They allow you to adjust the heating power and temperature in a smooth mode.
Toaster selection options
When choosing a toaster, you need to pay attention to the following parameters: the number of toasts, functions, body material, power, control system. The popularity of the brand, customer and professional reviews should be taken into account. The number of slices per cycle is an important parameter. The classic basic version is designed for making two toasts. The extended version of household toasters has 4 and 6 slices.
A professional version of a conveyor device is suitable for a catering enterprise. It is important to consider the width of the bread slots. One type of apparatus can be loaded with 4 slices, and the other only two slices. The horizontal device has 2 chambers and is capable of preparing from three to six toasts at the same time. Advanced options have a function to automatically change the width of the slots. Here, a guideline is provided for the thickness of the bread.
Modern kitchen appliances most often have a number of functionalities: adjusting the degree of drying, maintaining the set temperature, defrosting, centering slices, heating. Some appliances support toasting bread slices on one side. This option is perfect for making sandwiches.
The emergency eject function is useful for quickly ejecting small and thin slices. This avoids overdrying and unnecessary browning. For heating cooled toast, some devices are equipped with a special shelf. A useful function is the sound signaling, which notifies about the readiness of the product.
When buying a toaster, the following basic parameters must be taken into account: the power of the device, the capacity of the slices, the type of control (manual, automatic), the design and material of the body, the presence of additional functions and elements. The main types of cases that are used in the manufacture of toasters: metal, plastic, glass. The steel case is durable, solid design and robust. The disadvantages include the soiled glossy surface and high cost. A matte shade is preferable, since spots and streaks are not visible on such a surface.
A variety of color solutions for plastic cases is one of the advantages. The cost of plastic machines is lower than metal toasters. Another plus is the light weight of the device. The disadvantage is heating the plastic without a protective inner coating. When choosing plastic appliances, you should focus on the quality of the product and the popularity of the brand.
Glass cases are rarely made. The cost of such devices is higher than the previous options. A definite advantage is the sleek design. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the sensitivity to abrasive agents and temperature changes.
The high power toaster is capable of making large quantities of toast quickly (within 102 minutes). Most modern appliances support thermostatic power control. When buying a device, you should choose a model with adjustment in a smooth drying mode. There are 6 to 11 levels of bread heating.
Which company to choose - the best toaster manufacturers
In specialized centers and stores, you can choose an expensive model of a premium toaster and a budget option. European toasters are popular. The quality is strictly controlled in the manufacture of these machines. The finished products have certificates of conformity.The most demanded devices among Russian buyers are the following brands: Delonghi, Moulinex, Bugatti Volo, Bosch, Philips, Bork, Scarlett.
How much does a toaster cost
The most inexpensive and simple device costs between 800-1000 rubles. The power of such toasters does not exceed 800 watts. You can make up to two toasts at a time. As a rule, the power of devices from 1000 watts is designed for the preparation of four loaves. The cost of a popular brand is within 3500-12000 rubles. Such models have a metal case and a number of additional functions. Possibilities include: defrosting, heating, centering.
Semi-automatic devices are in the price range of 2-7 thousand rubles. Toasters have: several degrees of browning, trays, warming grids. The average cost of professional devices in vertical design is 5-10 thousand rubles. Conveyor-type devices cost from 17 to 50 thousand rubles. Such devices are designed for the preparation of a large number of slices (150-1700 pieces per hour). Professional toasters in horizontal design cost from 9 to 20 thousand rubles.
