What is the deal with toasters? - Page 3

footfootfoot · 03-26-2007, 01:11 PM

OK newer model, much better than the last.

Urbane Guerrilla · 03-27-2007, 02:08 AM

Related question, I think: why do toasters actually get the toast to dark brown on their darkest-brown setting, whereas toaster ovens' max setting gets the toast to light yellow at most? I've never even seen a toaster oven that gets the toast visibly toasted and not merely warm and dry in a single cycle. I always have to do one long toasting and then a short one.

Some complain the ovens' distribution of heating elements doesn't tan the toast evenly, but I don't mind that; the flavor is still the same -- but if only the toasting setting were adequate to the task without having to fiddle with it!

Happy Monkey · 03-27-2007, 10:45 AM

My guess would be the moisture. A toaster is open, and lets the moisture out.

Maybe a toaster oven would make darker toast if the door were open for a bit of time at the end.

Pie · 03-27-2007, 02:11 PM

Naw, my toaster oven will do light-brown, medium brown and very dark brown in one cycle (depending on setting). It does the lightwave/halogen thingie, in addition to standard ohmic heating.

Spexxvet · 03-29-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie

...ohmic heating.

I had no idea that Bhuddist meditation had such power!

footfootfoot · 03-27-2007, 09:03 PM

There are a couple of variables with the browning of bread in a toaster. Technically, it is called "carmelization". For a given toaster how long it takes the toast to achieve a level of brown depends on the sugar in the bread, as well as the moisture and the mass. Breads like wonder bread will incinerate before a sourdough whole wheat 37 grain bread will even be warmed up.

The other issue is the proximity of the heating elements to the aforementioned bread. Some toasters the elements are "up front and touching", others, like toaster ovens, are too far away to effectivelt brown a bagel without drying it out in the process.

To keep the moisture you want a high heat very close. Think black and blue steak, you won't get that on a medium flame.

When selecting toasters in a store that won't let you do a test run (WTF is up with customer service these days?) check to see how many amps the toaster draws, more should be better.

I am born to eat toast. Right now I have a KitchenAid and it is ok, but not a patch on the asbestos lined beauty I got at a yard sale. That fucker could toast. I mean it could TO-AST. (plus I loved making toast for my chemically pure MIL when she came to visit. That was second only to making pie crusts with lard, which she thought was awful, and telling her it was manteca, which she raved about how wonderful it tasted. Hey, there'll be lots of toast in hell, join me!)

Sundae · 03-28-2007, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I am born to eat toast... Hey, there'll be lots of toast in hell, join me!

I'm headed for that hot place anyway, very pleased to hear there is toast there!

Urbane Guerrilla · 04-02-2007, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I loved making toast for my chemically pure MIL when she came to visit. That was second only to making pie crusts with lard, which she thought was awful, and telling her it was manteca, which she raved about how wonderful it tasted.

That was an awfully, er, greasy trick to play on someone innocent of Spanish, dude.:p

cowhead · 03-28-2007, 08:37 AM

I'll get a shot of my toaster later today...9$ (8.99) at the local 'Freds' (discount sorta-kinda place) one lever, one knob.. does the job and at that price! although.. it's really only good for toasting bread and the occasional bagel/english muffin.. as to durability? I dunno only had it a year so far.

toaster · 03-28-2007, 08:26 PM

I've lasted for 24 years and counting.

Didn't see this thread before I signed up, I've been lurking for a while and decided to join. Funny, I've rarely viewed this category and this was at the top today.

elSicomoro · 03-28-2007, 10:18 PM

Wolf...remember this?

My toaster is in the attached picture on the right...it rules!

Skunks · 03-28-2007, 11:02 PM

Do you still have the old toaster? (edit: just read the thread & saw that it was fixed, but it's a general solicitation...)

I want a push-down pop-up style, 2-slice toaster, ideally chrome exterior but I'm not going to be picky for a project I'm considering. It doesn't need to work (I hope to salvage the switching mechanism, but that's about it).

I'll pay postage if anybody has one they want to donate. Could probably write it off as a charity donation (art student.)

Clodfobble · 03-29-2007, 07:54 AM

I'd recommend Goodwill, they always have plenty of old-style appliances for under $10.

elSicomoro · 03-29-2007, 08:02 AM

Or you could just buy a new one at Kmart or Wal-Mart for $10...that's how much my last toaster was. A White-Westinghouse...had it and used it semi-regularly for 5 years. Only got rid of it because I didn't need it anymore after I moved home. I know college kids don't have a lot of scratch, but still...

elSicomoro · 03-29-2007, 08:21 AM

It's something that's not talked about much...spontaneous combustion by Buddhists...fuck! Said too much...

03-26-2007, 01:11 PM	#1
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	OK newer model, much better than the last. Attached Images __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

03-27-2007, 02:08 AM	#2
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Related question, I think: why do toasters actually get the toast to dark brown on their darkest-brown setting, whereas toaster ovens' max setting gets the toast to light yellow at most? I've never even seen a toaster oven that gets the toast visibly toasted and not merely warm and dry in a single cycle. I always have to do one long toasting and then a short one. Some complain the ovens' distribution of heating elements doesn't tan the toast evenly, but I don't mind that; the flavor is still the same -- but if only the toasting setting were adequate to the task without having to fiddle with it! __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

03-27-2007, 10:45 AM	#3
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	My guess would be the moisture. A toaster is open, and lets the moisture out. Maybe a toaster oven would make darker toast if the door were open for a bit of time at the end. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

03-27-2007, 02:11 PM	#4
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Naw, my toaster oven will do light-brown, medium brown and very dark brown in one cycle (depending on setting). It does the lightwave/halogen thingie, in addition to standard ohmic heating. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

03-27-2007, 09:03 PM	#6
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	There are a couple of variables with the browning of bread in a toaster. Technically, it is called "carmelization". For a given toaster how long it takes the toast to achieve a level of brown depends on the sugar in the bread, as well as the moisture and the mass. Breads like wonder bread will incinerate before a sourdough whole wheat 37 grain bread will even be warmed up. The other issue is the proximity of the heating elements to the aforementioned bread. Some toasters the elements are "up front and touching", others, like toaster ovens, are too far away to effectivelt brown a bagel without drying it out in the process. To keep the moisture you want a high heat very close. Think black and blue steak, you won't get that on a medium flame. When selecting toasters in a store that won't let you do a test run (WTF is up with customer service these days?) check to see how many amps the toaster draws, more should be better. I am born to eat toast. Right now I have a KitchenAid and it is ok, but not a patch on the asbestos lined beauty I got at a yard sale. That fucker could toast. I mean it could TO-AST. (plus I loved making toast for my chemically pure MIL when she came to visit. That was second only to making pie crusts with lard, which she thought was awful, and telling her it was manteca, which she raved about how wonderful it tasted. Hey, there'll be lots of toast in hell, join me!) __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs Last edited by footfootfoot; 03-27-2007 at 09:06 PM. Reason: maybe too embeveraged to punctuate or speel

03-28-2007, 08:37 AM	#9
cowhead halve your cake and eat it too. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Georgia.. by way of Lawrence Kansas Posts: 1,359	I'll get a shot of my toaster later today...9$ (8.99) at the local 'Freds' (discount sorta-kinda place) one lever, one knob.. does the job and at that price! although.. it's really only good for toasting bread and the occasional bagel/english muffin.. as to durability? I dunno only had it a year so far. __________________ no my child.. this is not my desire..I'm digging for fire.

03-28-2007, 08:26 PM	#10
toaster Neophyte-in-training Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MN Posts: 3	I've lasted for 24 years and counting. Didn't see this thread before I signed up, I've been lurking for a while and decided to join. Funny, I've rarely viewed this category and this was at the top today.

03-28-2007, 10:18 PM	#11
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Wolf...remember this? My toaster is in the attached picture on the right...it rules! Attached Images

03-28-2007, 11:02 PM	#12
Skunks I thought I changed this. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: western nowhere, ny Posts: 412	Do you still have the old toaster? (edit: just read the thread & saw that it was fixed, but it's a general solicitation...) I want a push-down pop-up style, 2-slice toaster, ideally chrome exterior but I'm not going to be picky for a project I'm considering. It doesn't need to work (I hope to salvage the switching mechanism, but that's about it). I'll pay postage if anybody has one they want to donate. Could probably write it off as a charity donation (art student.)

03-29-2007, 07:54 AM	#13
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I'd recommend Goodwill, they always have plenty of old-style appliances for under $10. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

03-29-2007, 08:02 AM	#14
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Or you could just buy a new one at Kmart or Wal-Mart for $10...that's how much my last toaster was. A White-Westinghouse...had it and used it semi-regularly for 5 years. Only got rid of it because I didn't need it anymore after I moved home. I know college kids don't have a lot of scratch, but still...

03-29-2007, 08:21 AM	#15
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	It's something that's not talked about much...spontaneous combustion by Buddhists...fuck! Said too much...

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