T-Fal Avante Deluxe 4-Slice Toaster, Black

Ok, it makes really fine toast. And it's quick.

Its also nice looking ... esp. if you have stainless appliances or some stainless handles in your kitchen already. The slanted design really makes this toaster an original. The slanted design seems to make putting toast in and taking it out easier, esp. for kids. Even the buttons are stylish ... and I like how the outer toasting levers align with the inner levers. There are controls on either side and both sides can easily handle a bagel with ease.

There is a good feature to note. The middle push levers ... one for each side. These inner levers are stylish, but have a meaningful purpose, which is to push the toast UP and OUT of the toaster (if needed, if you want to, you don't need to) ... I've never seen a toaster that could do that before! That really is a nice safety / convienience feature ... esp. with smaller bread ... it pushes it up for enough that you don't reach into the toaster at all to...Read more

I am not the type to gush about household appliances, especially a toaster. After all, the mandate in toaster production is quite simple, manufacture a machine that makes toast. Well, this initial naivete has been long since dispelled after the purchase of over a dozen toasters, none of which did the thing they are supposed to do - make toast.
All of that changed with the purchase of this toaster. What a well engineered piece of equipment that does perfectly what it is supposed to do - make toast. Don't look any further, if you're looking for a machine that does its job well, this is it.

I had done so much research on toasters that my husband started making fun of me. Based on the stellar reviews, I was happy to finally settle on the T-Fal, but unfortunately I had the same experience as S. Sherman and Pat "Pretty Old Dolly" - uneven toasting, one-sided toasting, where's the high speed?, etc. I really think it's just a luck of the draw with the individual toaster you receive and so I am in the process of receiving a replacement. Also I DO believe in second chances with some things, so am hoping for better results the next time. UPDATE: No such luck -- same problems with the second toaster (see my photos on this product's main page). The left side of toaster was not too bad; however, as you can see from the photos, there is a definite malfunction here with the right side of the toaster (bottom row of toast). Who wants to be flipping bread all morning in a busy household of five? Not me! Also, while the bread was "down," I stepped away and when the toast popped...Read more