Our pick
Russell Hobbs 2-slice toaster with lift and look
Why we picked it
- Marketed specifically for more even browning
- Wide slots for thicker slices
- Lift and look lets you check without cancelling
Worth knowing
- Two slots only, so not ideal for big families
- Long sourdough slices may stick out of the top
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One side golden, the other pale. A white stripe across the top where the bread sticks out. The slice in the left slot always darker than the right. Most toasters do this to some extent, but a few simple things make it much worse.
What’s usually going on
| What you see | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| One side darker than the other | Bread leaning towards one element, or an uneven slice | Centre the slice, cut evenly, or turn it round halfway |
| Pale stripe across the top | Slice taller than the slot | Toast it upright the other way, or use a long-slot toaster |
| One slot darker than the other | Elements wearing unevenly with age | Swap slots for the second round, or toast one slice at a time in the better slot |
| Darker patches or burning smell | Crumb tray full | Empty and clean the crumb tray |
| Inconsistent from day to day | Bread at different temperatures or ages | Use the frozen setting for frozen bread; stale bread browns faster |
Clean it first
- Unplug the toaster and let it cool completely.
- Slide out the crumb tray, empty it and wipe it.
- Turn the toaster upside down over the bin and give it a gentle shake.
- Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never poke inside with anything metal, and never while it’s plugged in.
A crumb tray that hasn’t been emptied for months can cause scorching, smells and even a fire risk. Once a week is a good habit.
Bread makes a bigger difference than you think
Thick or uneven slices toast unevenly in almost any toaster. Fresh, moist bread takes longer than slightly older bread, and frozen bread needs the defrost setting or it browns outside before warming through. Seeded and sourdough loaves often have holes and ridges that catch the heat in patches. If you buy big bakery loaves, a long-slot toaster that takes the whole slice makes a real difference.
When it’s time for a new one
- One slot or one side of a slot stays cold, which usually means a failed element.
- The lever won’t stay down or pops up early.
- It smells of burning even with a clean crumb tray.
- The cable or plug is damaged. Stop using it.
What to look for in a new toaster
Wide slots for thicker bread, a lift-and-look or cancel button, a frozen setting, and a removable crumb tray that’s easy to reach. For sourdough and big bloomers, choose long slots that fit a whole slice.
Compact
Bosch Styline compact 2-slot toaster
Best for: small worktops, with nine browning levels and a defrost setting.
Think twice if: you mostly toast long bakery slices.
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Long slots
Quest 4-slice long-slot toaster
Best for: sourdough and big loaves, with slots long enough for a whole slice.
Think twice if: you only ever toast supermarket sliced bread.
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Reheating other things? See why your microwave heats food unevenly.
Quick answers
Is it safe to toast frozen bread?
Yes. Use the frozen or defrost setting so it warms through before it browns.
Why does my toaster smell of burning?
Usually crumbs. Unplug it, let it cool, empty the tray and shake out the rest. If the smell continues, stop using it.
Keeping bread fresh in the first place helps too: why your bread goes stale or mouldy so fast.
