Oster Retractable Cord Toaster

Comment: I haven't noticed the problems with uneven toasting that seem so prevalent. I will say the item feels pretty cheaply made, but it is quite inexpensive. I also notice that the heating element has more wires on one side than the other and there what appears to be an occasional missed wire. I suspect this is a side effect of poor quality Chinese manufacture. It could be that the elements being uneven is why mine seems to work. I suggest the manufacture investigate and work to improve the quality. One might guess by now; yes I am an engineer.

Honestly, however, I hate cords. A retractable cord is the "raison d'etre" (reason for being) of this toaster. It sits out of the way without cords ready for a toaster waffle or bit of bread as needed. That's worth a few points.

The bagel setting does seem to do nothing, but on other toasters, the bagel button just burns things anyway.

Maybe I've never had a "good" toaster, but I've paid twice as much for toasters which were not a great deal better.

Comment: Agree with other reviewers. Toast comes out too dark/burnt on one side while other is not toasted. Bagels come out burnt nearly every time despite fiddling with settings. The only way I can get edible toast is to stand over the toaster and watch it! Ridiculous waste of time and money.
My previous inexpensive Betty Crocker toaster lasted for years and did a much better job.

Comment: The retractable cord feature attracted me to this toaster. Since toasters have been around about 100 years, I figured they had been perfected by now. Also, since this toaster carried the Oster name thought it would be good quality, even though it has a low price. Wrong. Doesn't anyone at the factory test the design of their products or or own one? It burns one side of bread, and the other side is barely toasted. Also, a normal slice of bread sticks out of the top about 1/2" when retracted. I'm surprised Oster allows this shoddy product to be sold. Returned. No more Oster anything for me.

Comment: I love the retractable cord. I hate the burned toast, even at the lowest setting. This is the second one I am trying after the first suffered the same problem and I exchanged it. Today I will just be getting a refund and looking for one from a different manufacturer. Sad - Oster used to be considered a "Cadillac" of appliances. Apparently not any more.

Comment: This is a nice looking toaster and the only one I have yet found that fits my favorite bread, Pepperidge Farm 15 Grain. It toasts two slices pretty well but burns one side of the bread, if you only cook one slice. I wish I hadn't bought it. I thought Oster was a good brand name. Did they not test this toaster first??