DASH Clear View Toaster - Compact Design with 7 Browning Levels & Clear-View Window, Extra-Wide Slot Large Toaster, 1-Touch Defrost, Reheat & Bagel Functions - Easy Clean Up Crumb Tray (Aqua)

When my old toaster died I did what I usually do for kitchen equipment - go to America's Test Kitchen on PBS and YouTube to see what toasters they've tested and what their recommendations are based on testing. This toaster was a close second to a more expensive model but they said one thing that stopped it from taking first place was the pop up was a little too forceful, sometimes ejecting the bread completely. It may be that the manufacturer fixed this because I haven't had the problem once.The controls are dead simple and everything I need. On medium setting it toasts in about 2.5 minutes, which is fine, and it toasts even a long slice evenly. I like the window view of how toasting is going, and I like that I wasn't limited to metallic or black. This is the first long slot toaster I've owned and I love it. I bought a loaf of artisan bread just to try it out - the long, thick slice fit fine and 2 pieces of regular loaf bread fit side by side with room to spare.The toaster is no wider than a regular 2 slice toaster, but it is over half again as long, which may be a counter space issue for some. Also, since the controls and window are on one side instead of the end like most toasters, location on your counter may be an issue, meaning if you're standing facing your counter and you put the toaster to your left, the window and controls are either going to face away from you or the pull down tab on the end for lowering the bread will be closer to the back of your counter, making it awkward to reach. This isn't an issue if you put the toaster on your right, or at the back of your counter facing forward (which is what I did).Don't get caught up on the window being overly useful for checking doneness. The bread is lit up by the heating elements, but you're not going to be able to see how much toasting is occurring unless you like your toast pretty dark. Still, I think the window is a nice aesthetic touch. I like how it lets you see the light of the heating elements. My preference would be what some other toasters have, which is the ability to lift the toast up part of the way out of the slot to check doneness without having to stop the toasting cycle. While that would be nice, I'm not too bummed without it. Once you learn what settings you like for different breads, you can just trust them.As I haven't owned it long, lifespan of the toaster remains to be seen.

Let’s be real, we are talking about a toaster, a TOASTER! Why should anyone want to write a review of the most used and easiest to forget ancillary appliance you own? Because the Dash Clear View Toaster is that awesome!The short of it; don’t waste your time looking for anything else. This toaster can handle anything you throw at it with golden brown perfection, quickly. The Dash Clear View Toaster is the best bang for your buck, hands down!The long of it. We are a “somewhat” healthy eating family. We run the gambit when it comes to bread choices. Hardly ever white, mostly wheat for the kids, and tapioca and/or rice bread for the adults. Not all breads toast to perfection at the same rate. Each one of these breads has a very specific heat tolerance that can make for difficult toasting times. And that’s where the window really comes in handy.With the Dash Clear View Toaster you can sit back and enjoy the toasting experience all while watching the progress through its’ front window. Gone are the days of premature toast ejection just to check on the “doneness” of a specific bread only to have to reinsert the payload back into the heated bay. Visible perfection each and every time.With the white or Tapioca bread, which toast rather quickly, a quick turn to 4 gives us the perfect amount of crunch. The wheat bread takes slightly longer, about a 5 to a 5.5 max. And then there is the ALWAYS FROZEN rice bread. This beast of a bread (Food for Life brand) is twice toasted. Once as a 7 with “defrost” selected and a second plunge at a 7 without the “defrost” selected. AMAZING!The controls are easy to understand, clearly marked and simple to operate. Plug it in, place the toast in the slot provided, push down the plunger and away you go. It takes a matter of a use or two to figure out the proper settings to your liking.The “defrost” feature just doubles the time on the dial. The “bagel” feature only toasts on one side. With some sandwich breads like rye / pumpernickel etc. that have a tendency to toast really well and tear-up the roof of your mouth I like to use the bagel setting. Put the toasted side to the inside (meat side) and the soft untoasted side to the outside, you get the crunch without tearing up the roof of your mouth. AWESOMNESS!I have yet to use the “re-heat” feature … so you are on your own with that one. Sorry Charlie.As far as the toast rocketing from the toaster with the velocity of an unladen swallow, African or Eurpean – doesn’t matter, I have found that to be inconsequential. Does it pop up and sometime flop out on its own? Yes, rarely. But that has happened with my old toaster as well (a re-gifted 2 slice Panasonic that we got as a wedding gift 22 years ago). So really I kind of like the nostalgia of it when it does happen. BONUS! Let’s just hope that I get 22 years out of this amazing beast.So in conclusion, I just wrote an essay on a toaster. What the hell am I thinking?! Yes, it is that great. Click the “Add to Cart” button and get the Dash Clear View Toaster. You will not regret yourself for doing so, unlike your college spring break weekend. Love you son!

If you are like me and spent about 25 hours reading reviews and you tube videos on picking the right toaster you will understand that I inn the end just picked one, lol. I wanted one that was more narrow. This is NOT super thin, so I will let you know that. But narrow enough I suppose. I wanted to long as we tend to eat long pieces of sourdough bread and they can fit in this. - Now, I will tell you that it toasts unevenly. Seriously, that is it ONE JOB. To toast. But whatever. It toasts good enough, but if that is going to bug you that the top is not as toasty you have been notified. I also REALLY wish it had a warmer - that thin metal pieces that other toasters have pop up so you can warm up a croissant or the like. What I like about this a lot is it did not have that weird chemical smell. I returned another toaster due to the chemical smell. I just could not. This never had the smell. Also, it is pretty heavy. It feels at least like this will last for a long time. So overall I am happy I bought it.