My Sunbeam 20-3 auto lower toaster

[washman]

bought this sometime back in 1992 or so from Service Merchandise. I was always a sucker for the chrome behemoth and the auto lowering mechanism really sold me.

Yes, a tad dirty I know.

Still works like a champ. In other pictures, I tried to get my Canon powershot to really do a good close up of the elements but alas, it was not to be.

 

[washman]

The bottom

reads in part "Made in the United States of America." Now which location I don't rightly know. Naturally this was before Chainsaw Al Dunlap got his greedy hooks in the mix of things.

 

[washman]

Tried to get inside shot of the elements

Not very successful.

 

[whirlcool]

If your camera lens has a "Macro" setting, that will help you focus close ups much better.

 

[washman]

Spot on whirlcool!

and here are two of the "innards" of this fine toaster.

 

[washman]

and the inner elements

I have found no other toaster, not even a 100 buck Cuisinart that has elements as thick as these. It's easy to see why this toaster has such longevity.

 

[norgeway]

Mine...

From 1954 is working just fine also!

 

[danemodsandy]

Toaster Polishing....

If you want that Sunbeam to gleam like new, put baking soda on a dry cloth and use it to polish. Cuts right through kitchen film and brings up a gorgeous shine.

 

[washdaddy]

That's the toaster I have in my kitchen. I've had it for over 25 yrs. and it's still going strong.

Windex will also bring up the shine. I give mine a spritz and a wipe every now and then makes it look like new.

 

[d-jones]

The Sunbeam T20 series of toasters is widely regarded as one of the best made and most reliable ever. They were expensive compared to other models, but you do tend to get what you pay for, and look how long they last. They were introduced in the late forties and the appearance changed very little over the years until production ended in the mid 1990's. Most folks that have these little gems love them and wouldn't dream of giving them up. Congratulations on owning one.

 

[petek]

I've a few here as I suspect some others do as well collecting the whole set

 

[maytagbear]

My take:

BEST AMERICAN TOASTER EVER.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[retromania]

Magical

My aunt and uncle in Charleston, SC had one of those and when we would visit I would offer to make toast for anyone that wanted it, anytime they wanted it. Lolll

 

[polkanut]

Every day we still use my late in-law's T-20B purchased in 1957.  It is always spot on wherever you set the dial.  By far the best toaster ever made.

 

[dustin92]

I have an older version of the one in the first post (1962 I think), and it is the best toaster I have ever used. I occasionally use automotive chrome polish on the outside, and windex in between, it shines like a mirror.

 

[yogitunes]

I have one I found at a thrift store for 5.00...outstanding toaster....no matter how the times change, chrome never goes out of style!

the auto lower is the coolest thing ever....although you have to keep an eye to know when its done, they should have stuck a buzzer in there, otherwise it just quietly raises back up...

 

[58limited]

I got interested in these and bought one thanks to my Aunt and Uncle - they got one as a wedding gift in the late '40s and are still using it.