Toastmaster "Rolltop" Toaster

[rp2813]

What's the story on these?  I had never seen one until yesterday at an estate sale.  It was tagged at $12 so am thinking of going back today and probably getting it for $10 if it's still there.

[this post was last edited: 6/29/2014-17:08]

 

[dustin92]

I have never seen one like it, I would pay the $12 if you have to, although it looks like a Toastmaster to my eyes: the swirly engraving on the side gives it away. If it was a Sunbeam, RUN, don't walk back to get it! I have a 1960's Sunbeam Radiant control, and it is by far the BEST toaster I have ever used. I paid about $40 for mine on Ebay a few years ago.

 

[rp2813]

Well, I went back for it and it was still there.  I also spotted an avocado GE hand mixer, which was tagged at $10.   I tested both the toaster and the mixer to confirm they worked.  The toaster's mechanism includes a pair of stabilizers in each slot that are activated when the toasting lever is depressed.

 

Since I was there in the final minutes before the sale closed down, I got both items for $5 each.

 

Now I'll wait for information on what the logic was behind the "rolltop" feature on the toaster.  Right now it seems to me that it was for appearance purposes only, so the discolored insides would be hidden from view when the toaster was not in use.

 

[rp2813]

Dustin, you're right.  I always get the two makes mixed up, but those are for sure Toastmaster markings.  I've edited the thread title accordingly.

 

I know what you mean about the radiant control Sunbeams.  I have one and I feel the same way.  My only issue with those is that they're perfect performers with plain white bread, but results can vary with any other type of bread.

 

[rp2813]

A little research indicates that the toaster isn't all that old. 

 

At least it looks retro, and the roll-top treatment is certainly unusual.  It will go in with my stand-by group for when/if the KA Pro-Line toaster fails in one way or another.

 

[dustin92]

I've never had any issue with toasting anything other than standard white bread, we usually buy darker Whole Grain/Wheat bread, and never any issue. I have noticed I need to turn it down when we do buy white bread though. I would happily shell out another $40 to replace it if it dies.

 

[jeffg]

Beautiful design on this one imo. Ours sits next to a black stove, and if the stove is any indication, a lot of dust accumulates in an open toaster. So I can think of at least one practical use for a rolltop. Hefty fire potential though, which imo is probably why the feature is rare.[this post was last edited: 6/29/2014-22:35]

 

[rp2813]

Fire Potential

As in operating it with the top closed?  It has a safety and won't operate unless the top is fully open (this per an instruction manual I found on line). 

 

I think these can be had cheap if you keep an eye out.  They're Chinese made,  probably average performers and nothing special beyond the retro/roll-top design.

 

[circlew]

I have to say this is the first time I've seen such a toaster.

As for fire hazard, at least it's made of metal. My friend Jay had a plastic toaster that caught fire on the countertop!