A toast to a new appliance

October 26, 8:17 PMSF Consumer Electronics ExaminerJennifer Anthony

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Behold the Slotless Toaster

When was the last time you got excited about a toaster?

Yes, yes, it’s been awhile.

But! Behold The Slotless Toaster from Hammacher Schlemmer (“offering the best, the only, and the unexpected for 161 years”).

According to its developers, this device “is the slotless toaster that can toast any type of bread, regardless of its thickness.” Users simply place bread, thick bagels, or croissants directly on the unit’s heated flatbed surface (in lieu of shoving them into those retro narrow slots), and a 700-watt heating element radiates through the 10 1/4" x 7" stainless-steel surface, browning or defrosting breadstuffs quickly and evenly. Users can select their preferred level of browning by turning a dial, and an under-mounted crumb tray slides out for quick and painless cleanup. When not in use, the slotless toaster can be stored on its side, which of course saves counter space. The device measures 18" L x 11 2/3" W x 4 1/2" H.  and weighs 4 pounds.

Is this something to raise a bagel/slice of bread/croissant in a toast, or is it a superfluous gadget? It does cost a bit of bread [the toaster is about $85 U.S. Dollars ($89.95 in Canadian dollars)]. But if nothing else, the concept provides some levity and ingenuity to a standard appliance.