Toaster tries to go in a new direction

While the toaster does come with a removable crumb tray there is no mention of a drip tray.

(Credit:Hammacher Schlemmer)

The evolution of the toaster has not been one without its surprises. Imagine the shock of the first individual who discovered that it was possible to not only toast a slice of bread, but also reheat a slice of pizza in one of those new-fangled toaster ovens. Not surprisingly, countertop cooking has not been the same since.Nowadays, toasters, toaster ovens and the like have become sophisticated pieces of gadgetry that can cook everything from a whole pizza to rotisserie chicken. However, that doesn't necessarily make them any less mysterious.

The Adjustable Bread And Sandwich Toaster ($129.95) brings magic back to the kitchen countertop. Featuring an adjustable lever on the top of the appliance, the device is capable of accommodating sandwiches or other bakery products up to 2.33 inches thick. The vertical toaster mimics a traditional toaster in design, but by being able to toast bagels and small croissants, the appliance sets out in a new direction.

The included metal sandwich basket helps to contain whole sandwiches. Finding the proper heat setting from the given ten available browning settings might prove to be somewhat of a mystery, but considering the subject matter, it should prove to be a series of delicious experiments. Just don't try to reheat a slice of combo supreme.

---

KitchenAid toaster raises and lowers the bar (in a good way)

The KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster is a feature-rich kitchen appliance worthy of a space on the counter.

(Credit:Williams Sonoma)

Toasters often get overlooked in the kitchen. Counter space, being the limited creature that it is, has room for only so many appliances. While this may bode well for strong multitaskers like toaster ovens, regular toasters often get left out in the cold. (Or at least left in the back of the cupboard.)

The KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster ($299) aims to elevate the once-grand appliance back out from under the counter. Sensing that there is only one direction to go but up, the toaster rises to new heights by incorporating a motorized lifting mechanism. Not afraid to dunk below the surface, the gadget also senses when bread is placed in the slots and automatically lowers the slices to initiate toasting.

Despite their diminishing numbers, or perhaps because of it, higher-end features in toasters have a market. Here, the body features heavy-duty die-cast aluminum construction and, of course, the slots are wide enough for thick-sliced breads or bagels. A defrost function is helpful for dealing with frozen goods, while an LED timer displays toasting progress. Additionally (and this is perhaps the neatest feature of all), the toaster has a keep-warm setting that automatically kicks in after the bread has been toasted, keeping the item butter-ready for up to 3 minutes -- because sometimes in the rush of the morning, even the toast itself can get overlooked.

---

Bodum Toasters - Home Appliances List Price: $129.99 Price: $99.95 You Save: $30.04 (23%) Product Details. LCD display with digital progress bar; One Touch Control - Raises and lowers bread on demand ... Do You Use a Toaster Oven? - Cookware - Chowhound My husband grew up with one... I didn't. He would like one... I don't get the point. If I want to brown something, melt cheese, etc., I'll just 2012 Best GE Convection Toaster Oven - General Electric Convection ... Buy the best GE convection toaster oven with rotisserie. Fantastic oven for chicken, pizza, toast, potatoes and more. Great GE toaster oven! Washington DC High-Speed Internet, Digital Cable TV and Home Phone ... Find great value bundles on D.C. Metro High-Speed Internet, Digital Cable TV and Home Phone Service from RCN. KitchenAid Contour Silver 4-slice Toaster Overstock.com Item : 13050728. The LCD display featured on this toaster remembers the last shading and function set, so you can get your toast the way you like it every time. KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at Nextag KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster - 23 results like KitchenAid KMT423CU 4-Slice Toaster, Countour Silver, Contour Silver KitchenAid Digital 4-Slice Toaster, KMT422OB ... KitchenAid 2-Slice Digital Motorized Toaster - Bed Bath & Beyond Shop for KitchenAid 2-Slice Digital Motorized Toaster at Bed Bath & Beyond. Also shop for Toasters,Kitchen Electrics. This 2-slice toaster features an LCD display ... KitchenAid FAQ's - Stand Mixer, Attachments & Accessories, Blender ... KitchenAid Kitchen Appliances & Accessories KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Food Processors, Blenders and Coffee Grinders. KitchenAid KMT423CU 4-Slice Toaster,Contour Silver: Amazon.com ... Extra-wide 1 1/2-inch slots; LCD display with digital progress bar; Bagel, Defrost, and Reheat buttons; One Touch Control - Raises and lowers bread on demand even in ... KitchenAid KMT423OB 4-Slice Toaster,Onyx Black: Amazon.com ... Extra-wide 1 1/2-inch slots; LCD display with digital progress bar; Bagel, Defrost, and Reheat buttons; One Touch Control - Raises and lowers bread on demand even in ...