Cuisinart CPT-435P1 4-Slice Countdown Motorized Toaster, Stainless Steel

We had a “stainless steel” toaster I had previously purchased at Walmart. If you’ve shopped for toasters at Walmart before, you know they are pretty cheap—in price and quality. I’m not a toast eater, but people in my family make toast and bagels nearly every day. Everyone has complained about how much our old one sucked, so I splurged on this one after watching many, MANY toaster reviews. At the end of the day, it’s supposed to toast your bread. Anything else is a plus. I had watched a review of this one and heard a high-pitched squeak that came from the automatic raising/lowering function that I was worried about. Thankful to say, there is no squeak and everyone LOVES this toaster. It feels well-made and sturdy and the stainless steel doesn’t get dingy like my other one. My daughter (the bagel eater) was thrilled that the bagels were actually toasted on both sides and soft and chewy on the inside. My husband claims it makes perfect toast. Functions, like taking a peek to see how well it’s toasting, seemed like something no one would use, but actually gets used quite a bit. The beep when it’s done is an added bonus. Did I ever think I would spend this much on something to toast bread? No, but it’s been a good investment so far. If it holds up for 5 years, I’ll be thrilled.

All I ask of a toaster is this: lower my bread into the slot, heat it until it's the golden color I chose, then send it back up. Don't make me pop it up and down multiple times to see if it's burning, or not cooking, don't make me flip it around to toast the other side. And could you please do the same thing the next day? This toaster actually does its job. It's FABULOUS.2 people in the house. Both like a different shade of toast. We don't use big or fat bread - just basic, artisan sized grain bread. This toaster has some perfect features to accommodate for most anything - my favorites: 1. Memory feature: his and hers for us. 2. Quick View button: is my toast burning or not cooking? One touch of the button for a peek without resetting the timer. 3. +30 second button: okay, wish my toast was a tiny bit browner, but I don't want to burn it - this is your go-to feature.On top of that, mechanical lower and raising of the bread - quiet and zen-like - not a fan of slamming the levers.And did I say it actually toasts my bread on both sides!!! Thank you.(My toast is more golden that it looks in the photo's - it's a tan/brown color bread).Let me also say this: it's a crapshoot whether the heating coil cards on any toaster come out of the factory working like they should. They all use the same parts made at the same place using the same lower quality components than what we had in our life before. If you can find a toaster that does its job, looks like you want and fits your budget - it's a good thing.No, it's doesn't make the buzzing sound some mentioned in reviews. If you use super thick, super long bread, this isn't for you - find a toaster that's made for that. (Don't try jamming oversized bread in - yes, you will ruin the mechanical raise/lower feature). The cord length is just right. If you're toasting 1 slice - use the 1 Slice button - it's made to adjust the heat for just one slice (doesn't matter which side). It actually comes with a paper instruction guide - read it.This was our third and final attempt at finding a replacement toaster. For us it's perfect. PS - all of my family and friends that have a Duolit happen to have them all on the blink right now :-) Even the "premier" of toasters fail.

So happy I made this purchase. My family is not really what I would call a toaster crazy family. When my wife and I got married, we registered for a nice toaster. It lasted us 11 plus years and we never had a second thought about it. I mean, it's a toaster right? It can make toast and take a regular bagel and make it awesome... so I was happy. Sadly it died on us one day. I thought we could go buy a new one and we'd be happy. Boy was I wrong. I purchased 2 other toasters in less than 2 years, both were decent name brand toasters. Both crapped out on my quickly and didn't really even toast all that well when they were active. I'm not sure when building a quality toaster became so hard, but something happened where quality and durability just don't matter any more. I read all the reviews, I compared all the prices. For my budget, I thought this looked like the best option. I have 2 young kids and a wife. So, on any given week our breakfast choices change 10 times over. Toast, a bagel, waffles, pop-tarts..... we use it more often now then the past. This WAS the right product for us. Nice features, even toasting, a nice count down feature, easy to use heat settings, all add up to a great appliance. I really like that it doesn't pop up violently... it plays a nice tone instead. Also, you can list the handle to raise you bread out even higher to avoid any contact with the metal. Also very nice with smaller breads like small bagels and English muffins. I went with the stainless option because it looks nice and matches my kitchen. I noticed my work has almost the same exact toaster in our break room, just in white. That thing gets used probably 50 times a day and works like a champ. If you are on the fence like I was, you have done your research like I did, and this is one of your options.... go for it. I think you'll be happy you did.