Oster TSSTTR4SLL Black 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster

Had a serious wake up call this morning. At 6:30am, was awakened by smoke detectors going off. Followed the heavy smoke to the kitchen where our toaster was in full flames, most of the plastic was burning, the cabinets were very hot and dense electrical smell. Was able to unplug the toaster, cord falling apart in my hand, and put the fire out. Counter was ruined, as well as part of the cabinet. No one was around or up at that time. From what I can determine, the toaster just caught flames due to an electrical short in the controls. I am glas I did not go anywhere for the holiday weekend, or I would have come home to a burned out apt. I do not recommend this toaster unless you wish to set fire to the place.

Avoid buying this toaster at any cost. Use a campfire if you must or a blowtorch for toasting your bread or bagels. This unit is a P-O-S!!! and I ain't talkin' sassafrass either. The spring is so weak that after three months, it hasn't the strength to lift a bagel out of it's slot. As an added feature, your toast comes out burned on the bottom half and undone on the top half. It's great for making stale bread out of fresh, for bread crumbs though. If you want to invest your money in a country that has avowed our destruction, buy one of these pieces of garbage. Just make sure you have P-L-E-N-T-Y of fire insurance.

Fortunately, this toaster hasn't burned my home down yet.

On the bad side, I have a number of issues with the toaster operation itself.

- The toaster has control numbers 1-10 for how dark you want your toast. The toaster I have will burn a bagel on setting 3, so I have to set it at no more than two, and even then the bread comes out well done.

- There is a bagel setting, but no indication of how to put your slices of the bagel in the toaster so it only toasts the inside. I've tried both ways, and as far as I can tell, both are warming equally, thus making the bagel setting useless.