Dualit 45376 Lite 4-Slice Toaster, Soft Touch Cobalt Blue

Comment: I purchased this because of the near legendary status of their original models. This model seeks to duplicate most of the same features at a much lower price point. I was not disappointed.

Slots are generous sized - long and adequate width for large bagels or artisan bread. The elements brown evenly and the control dial is sufficiently graduated that it is possible to get a wide range of browning from very light tan to almost burned brown (also depends on the amount of sweetener in the bread). Has the original "recessed pop-up" where the toasted items remain in the toaster so that they remain warm. The bagel feature works perfectly (outside elements are reduced in wattage compared to inside elements so the outside of the bagel is not over-toasted and the inside cut-edge is toasted and crisp). Very nice feature not only for bagels but also day-old English muffins and artisan breads.

Cons: Needs single slot switch for toasting only one or two slices of bread.

Summary: Very pleased with purchase and it meets my expectations. Why didn't I give it 5 stars? I've only owned the toaster about a month and I expect a premium toaster like this to last a long time. If it performs as I expect for 10 years then it gets 5 stars.

Comment: We almost didn't buy this toaster because of all the negative reviews. Thankfully, we did. It's fantastic. The blue portion is made of a material that doesn't get hot - this is really helpful when raising the toast out because it doesn't burn your thumb (which happened with another high end toaster we tried). We've been using it for about a month and it has made nothing but perfect toast. The dial turns beautifully - it's not cheap and rattly like so many others and the crumb tray fits into its slot with perfection. The bagel button works great and is a nice good feeling button. We're pretty picky about appliances but have absolutely no complaints about this one. We'd buy it again in a snap but doubt we'll ever need to - it's totally solid and built to last.

Comment: I have this toaster and I love it. It makes perfect toast. I even have the toaster sandwich maker and it works great to. Perhaps the other reviews do not understand how to make toast.

Comment: I bought this toaster two Christmases ago and am now shopping for a new one. This toaster has been, since day one, a piece of crap. We don't ask it to do much - just make a couple pieces of toast (regular bread) every now and then. Even on this simple task, it is hit or miss - the toast is either burned, or not toasted at all. It is a rip-off.

Comment: The toaster has an adjustment for dark to light. Even on the lightest setting, however, it burns the bread and sends the smoke detector into spasms. The company indicates there is no way to adjust the light/dark setting any further. I am very disappointed. To be able to use the toaster, we have to stand over it, which cancels the "automatic" benefit. It is an overpriced dust collector.