Finally Found Something Worthwhile While Thrifting

[chuffle]

I had a chance to head to the city this morning, and before leaving for home, I was able to stop in at two of my favorite thrift stores. I finally found something worth purchasing...a Sunbeam T-35.

I already have a T-20, that my parents got as a wedding present, and it still gets use. Today's toaster was far too good to pass up, however. The toaster was dusty dirty, but an initial peek inside found no crumbs, no gross burnt-on raisins...in fact, it looks to have primarily been used to make a single slice of toast, as the single slice side shows the most use. The price was good, too, only $7.95.

I gave it a really quick clean when I got the toaster home, and then made toast. Everything works as it should (not surprised at that), and no funky odors to deal with.

The question that I have for you folks is, do you take your "found" toasters apart and really clean them before use? I am a bit leery of taking it apart, and terrified of giving it a bath. While it looks cleaner than most thrift store toasters (and no worse than my T-20), I am a bit squeamish about making toast to eat without sanitizing it. I guess you can tell that this is my first thrift store toaster purchase!

If anyone here takes these toasters apart, are they easy to get back together again?

Or, should I just use the toaster, figuring that if there are any cooties in it, the heat will kill them?

I appreciate any and all comments and offers of advice.

Joe

Sorry about the reflections in the toaster's chrome. I had a bugger of a time trying to get a shot that I was satisfied with.

 

[chuffle]

What a neat plug...

Didn't clean the cord yet, but really like the plug.

 

[ronhic]

Joe...

Lets be honest, what are you likely to catch from an appliance that has no smell and doesn't really 'touch' the food? It cooks with radiant heat so if it was me, I would use it as it is.

It's a good thing and too good to risk ruining....

 

[oldwasherguy]

Hey those T35S are great toasters and they last for ever. Don.

 

[mixfinder]

Olf Faithful

I know ths toaster like the back of my hand. It is unlikely it needs anything. The two issues taht occur one in a 1000 units is mechanism to start the lowering cycle and toast that finishes too dark. Both are simple adjusts done without tools. Unless the ceramic heater block is cracked it will still be toasting when you and I are dead. This isn't Sandy's toaster, this is the real deal!

 

[petek]

If it's working fine and reasonably clean I'd leave it alone. Clean it up good outside.. no cooties are going to live thru the high heat inside anyways. You do risk knocking it out of adjustment if you take the cover off and begin wiping etc, which btw isn't all one piece, each chrome side is seperate from the main chrome body piece.

 

[jeffg]

If you don't get any specific answers here, try asking around on other vintage appliance and repair boards, e.g.

"You can remove the screws on the bottom of the toaster to remove the bakelite base, then remove the screws in the tabs along the bottom of the sides to remove the single chrome piece that forms the front, back, and top of the toaster. This will give you access to most of the moving parts.

Make sure you make a note of which slot is the "one slice" slot so you can reorient the chrome case correctly when you put it back on."

Home Page

 

[danemodsandy]

Hey!

"This isn't Sandy's toaster, this is the real deal!"

Actually, I kind of agree with you. The GE toaster I just scored dates from the mid-'60s (one appears in Rosemary's Baby, which was shot in late '67 for Summer, 1968 release). By the '60s, the cheapening of appliances we bemoan today was already underway; there is no way I can say a 1967 appliance is the equal of a 1952 appliance. Even the Sunbeam toasters of later decades aren't up to the quality level of older units, though they're of the same basic design.

However, '60s appliances are still way, way, way better than what has come since!

 

[scott55405]

Great toaster! I have one too. Found that and a nice Hoover Convertible at the same sale, both with the same replacement plug. Guess Mr. was handy!

I've never done anything to any of my used estate/thrift/whatever toasters except cosmetically and externally (save for the crumb tray of course) and I am still here.

 

[chuffle]

That does it then...

I'm having toast in my new old toaster this morning.

Not that there is anything wrong with my parents' toaster.

Interesting comment: "Even the Sunbeam toasters of later decades aren't up to the quality level of older units, though they're of the same basic design."

When I moved to the city in 1986, the first thing that I did was head to Service Merchandise and lay out big bucks (can't remember how much now, but I know that it was over $50) for the latest incarnation of the T-20, as all I ever knew was a toaster that lowered the toast for me. I still have that toaster, and it is amazing how the chrome case is thinner (and not finished as well). I am not going to get rid of it, but it doesn't toast as well as my parents' version which came thirty years before.

I fear that I may have been bitten by the toaster bug...

 

[polkanut]

Joe,

The T-20B that my in-laws had had sat in the cupboard for over 20yrs before we started using it. I did exactly what Pete has suggested, just gave the exterior a good cleaning. Also, no need to apologize for the reflections in the pic shown in your 1st post. That pic should be sent to Sunbeam to remind them of the quality that they once produced, and that is still going strong. Our T-20B looks the one on the left in the pic above, cloth covered cord and all.