Hamilton Beach 22560 Extra-Wide Slot Toaster

Most of the toasters I have used over the years have failed to toast the bread evenly. This Hamilton Beach Model 22559 does that better than any of the others I have owned. Also, I can use it to toast very lightly bread for sandwiches. I can use bread straight from the freezer, choose the defrost function with a very light setting and achieve the additional "tooth" from a bread that would otherwise be very soft if defrosted in the microwave. For my own entertainment, I can toast a single half of english muffin and stand by to catch it at the end of the cycle. It oftens leaps clear out of the toaster and someimes right on to the waiting plate! I know, some users might not find that to be fun.

This toaster also performs very well with Toastabags to make hot sandwiches and many other hot foods. Go to www.toastabags.com.
Only one function hasn't worked for me: cancelling a cycle by manually lifting the bread lifter. It doesn't want to move even when lifting...Read more

I thought this was a little expensive, but I really wanted a chrome one. It has proved well worth the price (especially since I received it as a wedding gift from my registry). The bagel function and defrost function are great. I have had no problems with this item.

I guess I'm just picky, but I expect a toaster to "toast&a mp;amp;q uot; the bread and not just lightly brown it. This toaster does that even on the highest temperature setting. As a result, it takes two cycles to toast a piece of whole grain bread to a medium brown. Still, there is too much moisture in the bread which results in a "soggy&a mp;amp;q uot; mouth-feel after just a minute or two on the plate. Additionally, the exterior of this toaster gets very hot, so I would not purchase this item if there are small children in the house. On the plus side, this toaster is as well made as the Kitchenaid that Target sells and costs $20 less. The heating coils are evenly spaced and are horizontal. Some of the toasters I've looked at have heating wires that are skewed. The coils on this toaster seem to heat up uniformly. If you eat only store-bought, white breads this will probably do a satisfactory job. But,...Read more