Whether it's Smeg, Breville, Dash, or Zwilling, here's the process for testing your toaster. house and garden All the same. We put our gluten-free, fruit breads, bagels, and Pop-Tarts to the test to make sure they hold up to a variety of kitchen needs.
Our team of expert testers is very serious about creating our guide to the best toasters. We want to find the right toaster for every kind of kitchen. Whether you need something technical and creative, something simple and stylish, or just more space, you're sure to find something to suit you.
If you want to learn more about how we test our toasters, you've come to the right place. Now I'll spill the tea (and toast) to the review process.
How H&G tests a toaster
You've probably noticed that all reviews follow the same format. That's because every toaster is tested exactly the same by the same people and on the same food. That way, we can compare each toaster while making sure there are no biases influencing our perceptions.
How to choose a toaster to test
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There are a lot of great toasters on the market, and they're getting better and better. Before we actually use a toaster, we do our research. Our team of experts is always on the lookout for the latest toasters on the market and consumer demands. That means we always have something to offer everyone.
We are in regular contact with big brands like Breville and Smeg, so we know if there are new releases on the market. But we also want to test smaller startups that are disrupting the market, covering everything the toaster market has to offer.
Why talk about unboxing and first impressions?
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Although we don't like to make snap judgments based on appearance, we also know that toasters are a kitchen necessity. We make sure to inform you about the dimensions, weight, and appearance of your toaster, as these are likely to be kept on your countertop all the time. You'll want to know if there are different finishes and sizes to choose from to match your kitchen's interior design.
We always mention the opening process in our reviews because it is an equally important point when it comes to toaster testing. The brands that have thought about what their machine setup looks like are probably the ones that have thoughtfully designed their premium toasters. We'll let you know if the packaging is recyclable, if it's a reasonable size, and if the toaster comes with additional accessories, such as toaster tongs. These aren't essentials, but it's always nice to see brands include them.
What types of toast to test and why?
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Our experts want to eat toast all day long, but they don't have time to consider hundreds of different types of bread. That's why he selected six types to give you a comprehensive idea of how your toaster can best handle it. A variety of popular foods. We'll cover simple white bread, gluten-free bread, fruit bread, Pop-Tarts, sourdough, bagels, and frozen bread. Here's why:
- White bread: This is the most common and popular bread. Since you'll likely be using this in your toaster, you want to know that it will toast evenly and completely. Toast is also a great canvas to see how evenly your toaster browns the bread.
- Frozen bread: Freeze the same white bread and stick it in your toaster using the freeze setting if possible. You want your toast to be evenly browned and warm through.
- Gluten-free bread: Although notoriously fickle, this is an essential test, especially for those who prefer gluten-free foods. It is baked thoroughly and evenly, giving it a crispy texture.
- bagel: Some toasters come with special bagel features. This is because steaming the outside doesn't require as much heat and the cuts need more browning. Even if your machine isn't a bagel expert, we test it to see if the dough is moist in the center, crispy on the edges, and warm on the outside.
- Fruit bread: Fruit breads filled with dried fruit can be very difficult to warm and crisp without burning.
- Sourdough: Whether you make it yourself or buy it at a bakery, sourdough takes a long time to toast and comes in long, wide, oddly shaped slices.See if your toaster can handle sourdough without breaking your teeth
Apart from testing the special features and looking into the details of each slice of toast, we also make some general evaluations for each slice of toast in each toaster.
Measure the time it takes for the toast to turn golden brown. Ideally within 1-2 minutes, but some toasters may take up to 5 minutes. Also measure how evenly golden brown both sides of the toast are. The toast should not be burnt in some places and pale in others.
The way to check the temperature is to cut the toast in half so you can see how warm the toast is. Spread the butter on the toast, making sure it has enough structure to spread over it and enough heat to melt the butter into a crumb structure.
Also, be sure to test special features such as touch screens, display windows, “take a look” features, and specific toast presets. We also measure the size of the slot so you know how deep and wide your toaster is. If you make your own bread and want to feed a lot of mouths, this is a very important feature.
Why talk about cleaning, storage and maintenance?
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Toasters aren't high-maintenance, but it's important that they're easy to clean when the time comes. Almost all toasters have a crumb tray, some easy to remove and others not. You may have collected crumbs effectively or your toast may have stuck to the side of the toaster. If your toaster is prone to oil marks or crumbs all over the place, we'll let you know about that too.
As already mentioned, toasters require premium space in your kitchen, so you need to know their dimensions, ease of movement, and storage options. That means you know what to expect when you come home.
Positioning compared to others
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With so many options out there, it's important to buy the best toaster on the market for your toaster needs. We've tested everything the market has to offer, so there's no one better placed to explain this to you than us.
We will discuss how it compares to models in a similar price range that offer similar products. Here, we also evaluate value for money, build quality, warranty, and other external factors that you should know before investing in a toaster.
Armed with all this information, you can confidently purchase the best toaster for your kitchen.
