KitchenAid Toaster

[countryguy]

Does anyone else have the Architect model?  I purchased mine a couple of months ago and although it toasts evenly on both sides of the bread and does a good job on bagels, it is VERY slow.  To toast a bagel, I have to use the darkest setting (7) and it takes 9 minutes.  To toast a regular slice of white bread I use setting 3 and it takes about 5 minutes.  Is this normal or is my toaster defective?  The heating element does not even get red whereas in the old Sunbeam that I have I can see the elements getting red hot.

 

Gary

http://www.kitchenaid.ca/flash.cmd?/#/en/product/KMT423CS/

 

[dustin92]

Any new toaster I have used has been exactly as you described... very slow. This is why I am in the process of finding a good vintage one.

 

[countryguy]

This was the first new toaster I have bought in many years.  I didn't realize that most new toasters work this way.  If my Sunbeam had been a 4 slice I would keep using it.

 

Gary

 

[sudsmaster]

I've had the lever version of this toaster for about a year now, and I have no major complaints. It does seem to take a while but the results are good. I like light toast anyway, so the time is not a big issue for me. For a while I was perplexed by the operation as the lever wouldn't stay down when starting a toast cycle. Then I figured out that it takes a firm push to lock the lever down, firmer than for most toasters. After that, no problems.

I figure that four slice toasters may have lower wattage elements for each slot, in order to keep the total wattage down in case all four slots are used. A two slot toaster perhaps would be faster?

I like the KA because the slots are deeper than most modern toasters, so that bigger than normal bread machine slices can fit in better.

 

[countryguy]

I like the colour of my toast to be medium but yet still a little soft.  The KA does OK but I still think the Sunbeam does a better job and quicker.  I do like the wide slots on the KA and the mechanism that keeps the bread perfectly vertical.

 

Gary

 

[tolivac]

Slow toasting? Guess I will stick to toasters bought from yard sales----careful--vintage only!!those new SLOW toasters may start appearing at yard sales!Folks got tired of waiting!Guess its that energy saving silliness.

 

[frigilux]

Gary, it's hilarious that we both started a thread about the same toaster on the same day! Sorry I missed this one before I posted.

KitchenAid's explanation is that the toasting temperature is lowered so that the center of your bread gets warmed and its structure firms up a bit. The toaster this one replaced was also a 4-slice KitchenAid, so I'm used to the leisurely pace.

I saw this one online and knew I had to have it, even though the other KA toaster was only a year old. It's going to a young couple I know who are setting up house.

The Sunbeam: We had one of these when I was a kid, and as I recall you just had to drop the bread in the slot and it would lower, correct? It didn't have a button to push as does the new KA, right? The Sunbeam didn't last long at our house, as our next door neighbor's same Sunbeam caused a fire (wiring problem) which gutted their kitchen. My dad threw ours in the trash and bought a Toastmaster.

To this day, I keep my small appliances plugged into a power strip which is switched off when they're not in use. This goes for the mixer, food processors, toaster, panini maker, ice crusher, blender, etc.

 

[lordkenmore]

"Guess its that energy saving silliness."

Other possible issues: product liability/law suits. This seems unbelievable, but, given some of the frivolous law suits I've heard of, even the unbelievable might have its day in court.

Then there is that never ending march to make things cheaper.

 

[mrb627]

Videos

I looked at the video of a KA toaster on YT. I must say, that is a nice looking unit. Too bad I don't eat toast...

Malcolm

 

[rockland1]

I have this same toaster. The first one went bad 1 month after we got it and KA
replaced it. If works well but your right about long times. I can fry an egg before the toast is done!

 

[countryguy]

Malcolm, you can toast bagels instead!   It does a great job on them if you have 9 minutes to wait LOL 

 

Rockland1, I've had to adjust my process when cooking eggs with toast.  I used to start the eggs and then a couple minutes before they are done, I would start the toast.  Now I have to start the toast before I even crack the eggs. 

 

Frigilux, you are correct about the Sunbeam toaster - just drop the bread in the slot and down it goes.  We had one in our house when I was growing up.  I got a similiar version on Ebay a few years ago and it works great.  If it had been a 4 slicer I would have kept using it.  I do like the looks and features of the KA, just not how long it takes.

 

Gary

 

[sudsmaster]

As luck would have it, my one year and one month old KA toaster failed to work on half the slots the other morning. I hardly ever use all four, but on this occasion I needed them and it failed me.

Luckily I got it at Costco so it's going back there tomorrow. I think they may still have this particular toaster in stock, in which case I'll pick up another and give it a try. Otherwise, I might go looking for the upgraded model with the motorized lift. More money but way more fun. LOL.