The Fresh Loaf

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Toaster for homemade bread in UK

pete16's picture
pete16

Toaster for homemade bread in UK

Hi all

I have 2 ovens with grills, but they're not much good for toasting - it takes 10 mins, the bread gets burnt around the edges and is quite dry.

Every few years I try and find a suitable toaster for my homemade bread without success.
The reviews I've found on this forum mention products either not available in the UK where I live, or are discontinued.

Bearing in mind that I often have quite thick slices of toast and that the bread is quite wide can anyone recommend a suitable toaster that is available in the UK?
I only toast 2 slices at a time.

Many thanks 
Pete

 

albacore's picture
albacore

Not perfect, but perhaps the best of the bunch - and repairable. Comes in 2, 4 and 6 slice models. Takes bigger slices than most other toasters.

Cons: expensive and the clockwork timer has been known to stick - don't leave it on its own!

What I would like is a wall mounted toaster in a portrait configuration - ie horizontal slices one above the other. Or even that format in a sit on the counter style. It would be great to free up counter space, but I don't think they exist.

Lance

plevee's picture
plevee

Are ruinously expensive and dead slow. The slots are ~51/2 x 51/2" so if you make a good sized boule you'll probably have to cut each slice in half. And there is nothing automatic and no pop-up but they do accommodate thick slices. That said, I've tried at least half a dozen other toasters and I'm still using the Dualit after over 20 years. They are indestructible and everything is replaceable.

plevee's picture
plevee

Are ruinously expensive and dead slow. The slots are ~51/2 x 51/2" so if you make a good sized boule you'll probably have to cut each slice in half. And there is nothing automatic and no pop-up but they do accommodate thick slices. That said, I've tried at least half a dozen other toasters and I'm still using the Dualit after over 20 years. They are indestructible and everything is replaceable.

pete16's picture
pete16

Thanks Lance and plevee

I've looked at the Dualit previously and the comments didn't inspire me.
It's something I've been searching for for years in the hope that at some stage a suitable toaster would be available in the UK.

I'm surprised that there doesn't seem to be a suitable toaster for home made (variable size and thickness) slices of bread available in the UK.

There are plenty of suitable toasters available in the US - why not the UK?

I saw this one which looked just right, but then realized it needs a 120v supply being made in the US.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HYW76FK/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=AMTZEDNZE6EVF&psc=1

and only $34 in the US!

I'll keep looking

Many thanks again

Pete

 

plevee's picture
plevee

I've tried almost all of them - uneven browning, just don't work, cheap materials, short lifespan. I even bought the top of the line Breville toaster oven. After 3 cycles on 'max' the bread was rock hard and still white. Customer service informed me that this was what sourdough toast was supposed to look like! The highly rated Cuisinart toasted only the bottom half of each slice.

I'm glad that Amazon allows returns and still using the old Dualit.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

Train your pet draggon to do your toast.  While at it, toasting coffee beans can be a real challenge but such a delight when it works out. Extra treats for the draggon that can manage it.  :)

No pet draggon?  See your neighborhood wizzard on locating an egg.  Does anyone know where draggon milk comes from? (Nope, sorry, not from draggons, short legged cows.).  :)

therearenotenoughnoodlesintheworld's picture
therearenotenou...

Ok, so I know not what you are looking for...but actually does exactly what you are looking for.  

I only post this because most don't even think to look into vintage flip toasters. At their best, these are particularly good for this type of bread. Sure, lots of old flip toasters were weak and build quality appears questionable, but don't confuse the limitations of the cheap models from what the very best models can deliver. I don't know what would be the model where you are, but a little research and some patience should find you the toaster of your dreams.

Just avoid anything with open sides, sure look interesting but pointless for your purpose. Also, these are not modern day child friendly, the outside gets hot, really hot.

The best toaster for thick homemade bread by far is this 1950's  Toaster.  Doesn't look like much to most, but 

  • Toasts almost anything in under 90seconds /side. (Shop bread toasts so fast you are at risk of burning if you get even a little distracted - when it gets going, its crazy fast)
  • Built like a tank 
  • The toast is just the right distance from the element so it gives a quick and even brown on the surface. 
  • The flip doors keep the heat in so the inside is fully heated but not dry - giving a deep heat that really melts butter.
  • The flip door's angel and smooth chrome means it flips the toast over every time when opening the door.
Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

doesn't exist. What does exist is the adjustment knob. My better half burns toast on a regular basis. We've been together for 40 blessed years however he still expects the toaster to self adjust. I adjust the toaster before every slice as we eat a variety of bread and cuts. I rarely burn toast.

  • I don't change my initial setting unless I toast a second slice right after a first one. When the toaster is warm, the following slice toasts faster so adjust to a lighter setting.  
  • Store bought thin pre-slice white bread usually requires the lowest setting. 
  • Home made moist bread requires a higher setting.
  • The heavier moist thick slices often require more heat to toast. Experience is the teacher.
  • ALWAYS before toasting, check the toaster setting!  
  • Many toasters toast unevenly, heat rises, one trick: put darkest crust side down into the toaster
  • and use a shorter half setting for the first half of toasting.  When it pops up pick up the hot toast and switch toasting slot without turning the bread. Adjust setting slightly lighter and toast again. 
  • Try to toast evenly cut slices and, and if you have burned toast, all is not lost.
  • Most burnty parts can be scraped deep down inside the sink or trash can (flakes fly) by rubbing on a box grater, a second slice of toast (doing two at a time) or scraped using the edge of a knife.

And an important consideration is for the poor soul who seems to burn toast on a regular basis no matter how much they try. Seems they just can't get it right no matter which toaster they use.  Love them. Just be firm that said person(s) don't butter the bread first before toasting. 

Slice the bread to fit toaster or buy a toaster with a toasting rack above the slots.  Maybe a microwave with a toasting element but you have to stand guard a watch it.

pete16's picture
pete16

Many thanks to all who have responded.

A couple of years ago I had 2 high-end built-in ovens installed. An AEG microwave/combi oven and an AEG Sous-Vide oven.
As I mentioned previously, both have grills for toasting/grilling but I've not found either very good for that purpose.

The crusts are burned black before the the rest of the bread starts to colour, but by the sound of it, that's as good as it's gonna get :)

At least my loaf has come out nicely - and the first batch of mince pies - it's not too early for mince pies is it ? :)

 

Happy baking!

cfraenkel's picture
cfraenkel

Are something that has always intrigued me. Do you have a recipe for the filling, or is it some kind of family secret ;-) Would love to know what you put inside...(I assume the outside is...pie crust?)

pete16's picture
pete16

I usually cheat and buy this, then add some brandy and small-dice apple - the pastry is a plain shortcrust 

waitrose-xmas-mincemeat

It's very sweet, very spiced and quite boozy with lots of vine fruits and sometimes peel and apple - with suet to give extra richness

I have made my own but it's best after about a year in the jar at the back of a cupboard to mature

It's a treat when the cold weather arrives - but by Christmas most people have had enough to last until next Christmas 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

For a lighter crust. Then when you toast it, the edges will toast as opposed to charring.  Try lower temp bakes for longer time and tent the crust to keep it lighter.  Also fresh bread toasts differently from day old, bagged bread, or refrigerated bread -- more even. I know it's a no-no to store bread in the fridge but if you toast it anyway, try storing it in the fridge. It will keep longer.  You could also make a shield for the bread out of foil before toasting in a broiler or putting a slice under the hot coils.  Cut a strip of foil that is wider than the crust. It would cover the crust and just slightly fold over the edges to protect them, save the strips to reuse.  Toast just the middles.  ??? What do ya think?

pete16's picture
pete16

Thanks Mini Oven - I think you've hit the nail on the head as it were.

I like a really crispy dark crust when I bake the loaf, so I guess it's no surprise that when I toast it, the edges turn to charcoal - or heavily caramelised as I prefer to call it :) 
So even with a suitable toaster I imagine the results would be the same.

I could make a sandwich loaf in a tin with a pale crust for toast, but then I'd have more bread than I could eat!

I guess I'll carry on scraping the burnt bits off - it's not the end of the world :)

Thanks again and very best wishes

Pete

 

Sabina's picture
Sabina

Just thought I'd mention it. Bread fried in bacon fat is amazing, but you can also toast it on a dry frying pan or use oil or butter. You might be less likely to overcook the crusts of the slices this way, since they won't be touching the pan. 

pete16's picture
pete16

Ah Yes indeed, bread fried in bacon fat!  A staple of the Full English Breakfast for years until the health police turned up :)
Especially good too when filled with crispy fried bacon and a fried egg with a dollop of HP sauce

Those were the days

I have tried the dry frying pan technique and it does work but takes time.
I've tried putting another pan on top of the bread in the dry pan, but it keeps the steam in and makes it soggy.

I have 2 cast iron griddles that I use for paninis and that works a treat for a sandwich, but not for 1 slice

I was just looking for a simple way to toast a couple of slices of bread if I have a bowl of soup, so in the absence of a suitable toaster, it'll stick with my old ways.

rondayvous's picture
rondayvous

Just reading about that sandwich.

Yippee's picture
Yippee

😄😄😄

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

toasting.  Takes just a few seconds and easier to clean up than trimming off burnty bits.  You'd only have to trim off the dark ones and you could save them for altus, drying or freezing them as flavour additions to future bread doughs.  :)

Been thinking about mince pies too.  Got a crumb shot?

pete16's picture
pete16

Thanks - Yes that would certainly work, or I could 'saw' the burnt bits off rather than scrape them off - lots of variations on a theme :)

The mince pies didn't last long.
I had friends visiting on their way back home to Somerset yesterday, so I thought I'd make them their first mince pies of the season - delish.

I'll be making another batch in a day or two.

pete16's picture
pete16
Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

Thank you!

Wild-Yeast's picture
Wild-Yeast

Pete,

You might want to take a look at Balmuda a steam toaster/oven from Japan. Evidently makes great melted cheese sandwiches too...,

https://us.balmuda.com/collections/toaster

Wild-Yeast

  
pete16's picture
pete16

Looks a lovely bit of kit that I'm sure would make a nice slice of toast, but at £558 I'll carry on scraping the burnt bits off.

One of my ovens has steam injection, but I'm not sure if I can use it when toasting - I'll have a check when my bread comes out.
I use the steam injection for the first 20mins when baking loaves and it does help produce a lovely crust.

rondayvous's picture
rondayvous

$300 here in the states, but yea, you’d need to be a serious toastiphile to spend that on a slightly better piece of toasted bread.

therearenotenoughnoodlesintheworld's picture
therearenotenou...

At those prices, I dont feel so bad about using my little UUNI for special toast days.

Its a toast experience like no other.

therearenotenoughnoodlesintheworld's picture
therearenotenou...

@pete16

Question, when was the last time home bread baking was common in the UK???

This is probably the crux of your search issues, what you are looking for probably isn't on the mass market.

Current toasters are not designed for your bread, they are made for modern commercial bread. Sure there are toasters with bagel or crumpet setting but to my tastes they don't make great toast. They feel like someone hacked a modern toaster to go a little longer and handle thick slice...they are still more at home with commerical bread. 

You have to go back to the last time bread baking was common in the UK and those toasters would have been designed to handle homemade bread really well.  

I would be curious to know if anyone with one of the older Sunbeam radiant control toasters - given their design goes back to 1949 (and sold until 1995)- find they find it works well on homemade bread. 

pete16's picture
pete16

I don't really know tbh.

But I do recall the Sunbeam toaster - from a long time ago. Didn't they get extremely hot on the outside?

The TV has many cooking/baking programmes - The Great British Bake Off being hugely popular every year.
I have many friends who use bread making machines with variable results.

Since Covid lockdown many more people bake their own bread, but mostly using machines.

There are a lot of artisan bakeries around these days selling all sorts of  weird and wonderful bread and sourdough.
There are 5 on the high street in my small town (pop. 30,000) and all supermarkets have in-store bakeries these days.

So I'd guess that most of those who want 'proper' bread just buy it.

I've enjoyed baking my own for about 20 years now. It usually turns out OK, but I've never made a proper sourdough using just a starter. I cheat and use 100g sourdough starter then add some yeast as I can't be faffing about stretching and folding every 15 mins for hours on end.I'd guess that's why most people buy it too.

As for the toaster - I've given up for the time being and I'll carry on scraping :)

therearenotenoughnoodlesintheworld's picture
therearenotenou...

@pete16

You have raised an interesting issue.  Most people don't seem really happy with their toast regardless of how fancy or expensive they are.  So, I totally understand your dilemma and feel your toast pain.

A last couple of things that may help your search.  

Hot toast - This youtube vid -  Is A 1940s Toaster Better Than A New One? illustrates what I was talking about with the fully closed flip side toasters. The link is to timestamp where he bites into the bagel and almost does a spit take it is so hot.

The actual toast is just much hotter (not more toasted - just hotter). The inside never dries out - becoming more like freshly baked bread inside. I don't think many realise the impact of this for breads like sour dough that need longer to toast than commercial white breads.

P.S. Watching the video is a hoot, it is like watching children now try to use a rotary dial phone. Even when they get it, they look so awkward doing the motions.

UK toasters I was so curious what vintage toasters were in the UK, and OMG the ones I saw were such low quality. I can see why most people run a mile from them. I guess mid-century toasters are an unrecorded socio-economic indicator of that time. Nearly everywhere else has some amazing examples from that time and so much better built than the UK models I came across.

German Bread - German toasters?. If there aren't good toasters from the last period home bread baking was common in the UK, the next investigation would be around places where bread similar to sour dough is still common. For me that would be Germany - so many breads that share a moisture and density more akin or beyond sourdough.  However, I was trying to see if there were any vids of Germans waxing about their vintage toasters (All the big German brands made Klapptoaster) - but nothing.  Not even much about things like the Ritter Volcano 5. Either Germans just are not big on that type of content or their toasters weren't much to write home about. Whereas youtube is full of Americans waxing lyrical about vintage appliances (The Antique Toaster that's Better than Yours).

Hope you find something someday.