High competition in segment of toasters is accompanied by the wide range of different models on the market. Of course, functionality is one of the main criteria for choosing any device. Toasters are no exception. The functionality of the model affects its consumer qualities and, accordingly, is an important criterion of choice. Functionality, in turn, essentially depends on technical characteristics of the model.
The cost of modern models varies from a few dozen to a few hundred dollars. For example, a toaster with a standard set of features costs about $ 30, and the price of model with a wide range of additional functions reaches $ 300 and more.
The list of basic and additional functions includes the following options.
Defrost function, keep warm mode and controls
Of course, many people store bread in the refrigerator. In this case, the defrost function provides quick defrost. Toaster sets the optimal temperature for the pre-defrost bread prior to its toasting. Moreover, this function also provides cooking toast from stale bread. In this case, it’s cooled in freezer, and then unfreezes in the toaster. Then device switches to standard toasting mode. The quality of such toast is similarly to a toast from fresh bread. The defrost mode is selected using the button on the control panel.
Keep warm mode provides heating without toasting. Usually, grate is fixed above slots and uses hot air flow.
Buns, croissants, sandwiches, muffins and so on are placed on the grate. They are very rapidly heated by the hot air flow from heating element.
Controls provide an adjustment of toasting temperature. Control system automatically calculates the toasting time, forms a command for audio signal at the end of the cooking cycle and switches off the toaster.
Usually control system contains touch panel, buttons and circular dial with a hatching.
Unilateral toasting, lifting function, auto centering and thermostat
Some people prefer toasted bread on one side only. Some models provide this option.
Lifting function is very convenient for toasting very small toasts, e.g. croutons for soup or canape. It uses a special lift-lever on the front panel.
Automatic centering ensures uniform toasting a bread slice on both sides, regardless of its thickness and initial placement in slot.
Special mechanism sets the uniform distance between the surfaces of bread and heating elements.
Some models use a movable panel with quartz heating element for this purpose that adjusts the gap between the bread surface and a heating element. This adjustment provides a choice of toasting degree.
Modern models often have thermostat for adjusting the toasting degree. It provides a choice of temperature mode that affects the cooking time and the toasting degree.
Usually, the toasters have 6 preset modes toasting. But some models have eleven modes. Models often use a dial on 6 or 11 positions for different temperatures.
But some models support even smooth adjustment.
Stop function, patterns, on/off timer, crumbs tray and grill function
The stop function interrupts toasting that is convenient, for example, for experiments with different toasting degree. This function is also useful in case of incorrect value of installed power or cooking time.
Lines of pattern are formed by increasing the toasting degree in certain points. This process is similar to the burning-out with the help of a magnifying glass. The program provides a choice of desired image. This function can also be implemented using template of heat-resistant material.
These models are popular with families with young children.
On/off timer provides programming the cooking time and the toasting degree.
Of course, the crumbs Tray at the bottom of the device greatly simplifies collection and cleaning the toaster from crumbs.
Grill function provides baking the buns or cakes with fillings. Convection heating reduces the cooking time.
Additional grill surface ensures cooking the eggs, cutlets, etc.
Video demonstrates the work of such model.