There are few more simple pleasures than toast, though lately the appliances available to make it have been getting more sophisticated. Of course it’s not difficult to produce good toast with cheap appliances, but fancier ones have some basic digital smarts that make the task easier and more precise. They may be worth the investment for those who love toast or make it often.
I tested the Breville four-slice Smart Toaster and KitchenAid’s two-slice Artisan. They have generous four-centimetre-wide slots, lower bread and cancel at the touch of their main button, and beep after toast is gently raised. Other smaller buttons can be selected for frozen bread (longer cooking) and crumpets (higher heat on crumpets’ top side). The Breville also has "lift and look" and "a bit more" buttons, while the KitchenAid offers "reheat" and "keep warm".
Both appliances bring some digital technology to how you choose the browning level too. The Breville has a sliding control that can be placed anywhere along markings one to five. Corresponding LED back-lighting counts down to completion. The KitchenAid has a rotating knob for selecting a specific number between one and seven displayed on the LCD screen, which also has a countdown bar.
VERDICT
They are both sturdy, stylish, effective appliances, each with two distinctive extra functions that only personal preference can determine the greater usefulness of. Assuming long-term performance is equal, the Breville is better value: a four-slice toaster at a lower price (even lower for a two-slice), and it also toasts crumpets perfectly.
Breville four-slice Smart Toaster
BREVILLE
$219.95
Also available as a two-slice model for $169.95, this four-slice toaster with a charcoal or brushed stainless steel casing has separate controls for each pair of slots. The "lift and look" and "a bit more" buttons are handy for those who prefer a variety of bread styles and thickness. The "crumpet" option, which can also be used for fruit bread, delivers excellent results: crumpets are nicely browned on top and fluffy in the middle.
KitchenAid’s two-slice Artisan
KITCHENAID
$239
This two-slice toaster, which is also available as a four-slice for $289, not only beeps usefully when toasting is done but also when the start button is pressed. This is unnecessary, and mildly irritating as it’s piercing. The "reheat" and "keep warm" options are handy for multi-taskers, but the "crumpet" setting is slow and delivers average results. The six casing options are brushed stainless steel and enamelled metal in colours such as scarlet or black.
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Adding to all those smart appliances that make everything from coffee to bread, the world’s first smart home cheesemaker will be available next year thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign. After milk, cultures and rennet are added and the type of cheese selected, the Fromaggio does the rest – in as little as 30 minutes for soft cheese such as mozzarella.
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