By Mai Sroor

Nowadays, having a toaster in your kitchen is something you would likely never question. It is simply one of those items that belong in every kitchen because it saves time, effort and makes bread perfect no matter how you want it to be. The real question is: which one and how to choose?

Whether you want to replace your old toaster or you have decided to get one for the first time, here is what you need to know to help you find the best toaster for your needs.

*Prices listed in the article are the ones provided when the article was published, and they are subject to change according to supply and demand of the market.

Regardless to which type you would choose, there are general factors that you should consider, like size, cost, uses, ease to use, cleaning, durability, and after sale service.  

There Are Three Types of Toasters:

Sandwich maker

Countertop toaster oven

Pop-up toaster

Pop-Up Toaster

When someone says the word “toaster,” what you more likely picture is a small appliance that has either two or four slots on the top where you drop your bread, press down on a lever, and the toast pops up when it is ready.

Pop-up toasters come in 2-slice or 4-slice (scarce) varieties and are specifically designed for toasting. They are affordable, easy to use, and can be found pretty much anywhere.

Benefits

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Small in size
• Simple in design

To Keep in Mind

• You can only make two to four slices at a time, depending on the model you go with.
• Good for only toasting bread slice that fits into the slots, you cannot use it for any other kind of cooking, i.e. grilling, melting cheese.

Check out Pop-Up Toaster. Price starts at 930 EGP.

Mienta TO21205A

A toaster is a great choice for making delicious toasted sandwiches and Panini at any time of the day. And it will help you make your favorite sandwiches or snacks quickly and easy.

Features

• Power: 1000 W.
• 2 Slices
• 6 Browning levels
• Automatic lift system
• Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
• Defrost and reheat functions

Check out Mienta TO21205A. Price starts at 599 EGP.

Braun MultiToast White – HT400

With its timeless design, easy handling, and versatile features, the MultiToast will be the indispensable guest of honor at your breakfast table.

Features

• Anti-jam safety auto shut-off
• Cool touch housing
• Cancel function
• Defrost function
• Reheat function
• Automatic bread centration

Check out Braun MultiToast White – HT400. Price starts at 1,003 EGP.

Panasonic NT-GP1

Typical modern 2 slice toaster that toasts your food product in just 1-3 minutes. Panasonic NT-GP1 Popup Toaster is one such a 2-slice toaster that is designed to toast multiple types of bread products easily. With this toaster, you will enjoy tasty and crispy bread items anytime you want.

Features

• Power: 680W
• Color: White
• Defrost/Reheat/Cancel Settings
• Special features
• Shock resistant 

Check out Panasonic pop-up Toaster. Price starts at 930 EGP.

Countertop toaster oven

Countertop toaster ovens are good for making toast, as well as other types of cooking. They can be used as an alternative or replacement for a standard oven that uses more electricity and takes more time to cook with.

They come in different sizes; large and compact.

Typically, countertop ovens will cost a little more than pop-up toasters, as they provide a wide array of uses beyond just making toast. In fact, many countertop ovens will often include features that go far beyond just toasting, including making pizzas and baking cookies, and some even come with a rotisserie function.

Benefits

• It has many uses beyond making toast.
• Comes in both compact and large sizes.
• Comes with different features and different levels of performance.

To Keep in Mind

• More expensive than pop-up toasters.
• Not as simple in design as the pop-up toasters.
• More power consumption.

Check out Countertop toaster oven. Price starts at 410 EGP.

Panasonic NT-GT1 Toaster Oven – 1200W       

It is an easy-to-use toaster, broils, bakes and keeps warm functions. It has a 15-minute timer that features a stay-on function for longer bake times. Also, there is a power indicator light and an audible “ready” signal that makes cooking even simpler. Clean-up is a breeze with the removable crumb tray.

Features

• Power supply: 220V-240V – 50/60Hz.
• Power consumption: 1200W.
• Dimensions: (W x D x H)
• Outer dimension (cm): 37.7 x 27.1 x 21.4.
• Inner dimension (cm): 26.9 x 20.2 x 6.0.
• Weight (approx.): 3.1kg.

Check out Panasonic NT-GT1 Toaster Oven – 1200W. Price starts at 1,150 EGP.

Black & Decker Toaster Oven, 28 Litre- TRO50 

Black & Decker TRO50 1500W Toaster Oven features 28-liter capacity. You can select the function you want from a function selector; toast, bake or broil. Also, it features the adjustable timer and thermostat controlled to allow you control the toaster

Features

• 1500 W of power
• 28 L capacity
• Convection function
• Toast, Bake, Broil function
• Thermostat controlled
• Function selector
• Adjustable timer
• Power on indicator
• Wire rack
• Non-stick food tray
  

Check out Black & Decker Toaster Oven, 28 Litre- TRO50. Price starts at 1,100 EGP.

Sandwich maker

They come in two types:

Panini Press:

It is used to prepare a variety of sandwiches. The functionalities of a Panini Press are of a grill, but it can be a replacement for a toaster and griddle too. It features plates on the top and bottom which, when closed, heats the food. You can prepare your favorite burger patty, pancakes, kebabs etc. easily with the Panini Press.

Four-triangle:

It is common in most households. It consists of four square plates that are triangular shaped from the interior. It features the closedown handle that is excellent for making grilled cheese sandwiches and other snacks.

Generally, you should pay attention to the type of surface; the best choice is the non-stick cooking. Teflon surfaces are much easier to use and clean. Many models have a slanted runoff with a small bowl at the end, which helps eliminate most of the grease that gets trapped in foods.

Benefits

• A quick and easy way to make homemade toasted sandwiches.
• Multi-purposeful, especially indoor grilling.
• Easy to clean and store.
• Perfect for cheese melting sandwiches.
• Adjustable for waffle making and other stuffs.

To keep in mind

• Some models have one default temperature.

• Some are not adjustable for waffle making.

Check out Sandwich maker. Price starts at 265 EGP.

Home WN-0108 Toaster

Home WN-0108 Toaster is a great choice for making delicious toasted sandwiches and Panini anytime of the day. And it will help you make your favorite sandwiches or snacks quickly and easy.

Features

• Power: 700 watt – 220V – 50HZ
• Cool touch housing
• Power On and Ready light are controlled by thermostat
• Non-stick coated plate for easy cleaning
• Waffle plate for choosing
• Grill plate for choosing
• Skid-resistant feet
• Stand upright for compact storage and space saving

Check out Home Toaster. Price starts at 398 EGP.

Rose ST-12 Multi Sandwich Maker

It is convenient, quick and easy to use. There is so much you can do with the Rose ST-12 Sandwich Maker; tasty cheese toasties, sandwich melts and Panini, experiment with different fillings for your perfect toasted sandwich. Grill vegetables and kebabs for healthy nutritious meals. Make sweet snacks and desserts such as waffles, pancakes and fruit turnovers. And for savory snacks and meals try omelet, calzones and crispy burritos.

Features

• Wattage: 700W
• Cool touch handles
• “Power On” and “Ready” indicators
• Non-stick plates: sandwich, waffle and grill/griddle.

Check out Rose ST-12 Multi Sandwich Maker. Price starts at 275 EGP.

Kenwood SM650

Grill tasty cheese toasties, Panini, sandwich melts, and more with the Kenwood SM650 Sandwich Maker. This sandwich maker is convenient and simple to use. You can also grill vegetables and kebabs in preparation of healthy, nutritious meals. Make sweet snacks and desserts, such as waffles or pancakes. The Kenwood sandwich maker is compact in size and has a lightweight design, making it easy to handle and store. It consumes 700W of electric power and sports a stylish white exterior.

Features

• 700W
• 2.6 kg
• Easy clean
• “Power On” and “Ready” indicators

Check out Kenwood SM650. Price starts at 749 EGP.