AT LAST I found the Perfect Dream Toaster that does everything it claims to do. After yet another Chinese made-American Name Brand-Bagel Emphasized Toaster failed and wasted money in our kitchen, I started my search on Amazon.com with toaster reviews to see if there was actually any product that worked to produce a slice of bread toasted evenly on both sides, instead of the empty marketing promises made about manufacturers and their toasters. The reviews kept pointing me to the British-made Dualit toaster. The price was unexpected but I continued my Amazon search and found the one I perferred in Chrome Blue/2 slicer, new for $97. I thought for that price, I'll try the Dualit. It arrived and IT IS EVERYTHING THAT I DREAMED AND EXPECT FROM A TOASTER. The bread is toasted evenly every time on both sides with simple and perfect manual knobs that the toast-maker controls themselves. It is a beautiful, trustworthy toaster and now desired by friends as they also expereince the "rare" toaster that actually makes the perfectly toasted slice of bread. No Wonder---the British truely understand what toasted bread means and produced a simple engineered but perfect toaster. The price whichever one the Dualit toaster is found for is worth every dollar. I highly recommend this toaster to all who enjoy toasted bread on "both" sides! Bravo, Dualit and Amazon for the perfect product. Thank you for your excellence and also the buyers who reviewed this great toaster.

We actually received this toaster as a housewarming gift nearly 10 years ago, so take the "would buy it again" with a grain of salt! Let's just say we'd be happy to buy one as a replacement if we ever had to. Honestly, though, I think this toaster is going to have a very long life indeed.

We love this toaster.

It is the easiest to use, most convenient toaster you can imagine, and that's simply because it IS simple. You have three controls: a timer for the heating elements, a selector switch that turns on the elements for both slots or only one, and the lift handle.

Separating the timer from the lift simplifies the toaster, eliminating maintenance and also just makes the toaster more civilized somehow. I would never put the typical pop-up toaster on the table with breakfast, for example, but the manual lift Dualit just seems to belong there. Pop in your bread and turn it on, give it a peek here and there with the lift handle, and take it out precisely as you like it, exactly when you'd like to have it. Lovely.

So why 4 stars? First, the toasting itself could be a little more even. Second, most of the bread we buy won't fit the toaster unless the slices are put in vertically ... meaning that unless you flip the slice part-way through, the portion of the slice sticking up doesn't get toasted. I.e., the slots need to be longer.

So ... perhaps we'd buy one of the Dualit long-slot versions as a replacement. The size of this 2 slot model is just so convenient that perhaps we'd just buy another. Either way, there's no question that it would be a Dualit.

I ordered this Dualit for a really great, discounted price. The first toaster I received had a defective 1/2 slice switch so Amazon.com sent me a replacement, it was a very fast, and easy return. The replacement toaster has a pretty sub-standard paint job, but at least it works well. For a toaster that can sell for $240, it's kind of disappointing. A friend of mine ordered a discounted 4 slice model and the lift lever was completely broken off, as well as the base being warped. Her replacement is scratched, but it does work. Amazon.Com is a great company, and I spend more money there than any other website, but I wish they would have a word with Dualit about what they're selling at a discount. They are not listed as refurbished or seconds, but maybe they should be. J

I cannot fathom what some of these people are thinking when they say they do not care for this toaster. I moved across 2000 miles away and have yet to bring all of my things and this is the one appliance that I miss along with my kitchenaid mixer. If you love to cook and like versatality this is the toaster for you. It has accessories to toast sandwiches instead of getting out a frying pan and it is like nothing I have ever seen on the market as far as toasters go. I bought mine in black, but am eyeing the red one that I wanted, but was not available in the USA at the time mine was purchased.(I had even called England and begged way back when!) This one is a must for my kitchen and busy life. Some things just cannot get any better.

Like another reviewer, I waited a couple of years to form my opinion. This product looks sturdy and people love the "legend of the Dualit". One side comment is that I find it very amusing that a manual toast lever is considered a winning feature.

Anyway, back to my review. Bread does not toast evenly. After time, the problem only gets worse. No real way to easily clean the inside of the toaster.

Bottom line is I love this toaster. What else can I say about a toaster that cost $300. The toaster either works great or I am bloody crazy for spending that kind of money. I choose to love the toaster.