How to choose a toaster

The toaster is one of those appliances that all seem alike, yet in everyday use they make a real difference: breakfast in the morning, bread for a quick lunch, a toasted snack for the children. The most common problem is always the same: slices burnt on one side and raw on the other, or an artisan loaf so tall it will not even fit in the toaster.

A well-chosen model solves exactly that: it toasts different types of bread evenly, lets you choose your preferred level of browning and helps you avoid wasting energy and food. In this guide we look at the key criteria to weigh up before buying, and at how the Haier I-Master range meets each of these needs.

Before buying a toaster, there are a few key factors to weigh up so you do not end up with a product that is poorly suited to your habits and to the kind of bread you eat most often.

Number and type of slots: for how many people and which bread

The slots determine how many slices you can toast at once and what size of bread you can fit. It is the first thing to consider, based on how many people you usually serve.

In general, a two-slot configuration is the most common and convenient for everyday breakfast, while a single slot rewards those who love fresh, irregularly shaped bread and would rather not have to cut it.

Slot depth and width: which bread you can toast

It is the most underrated detail, but the one that causes the most frustration: a slot that is too short or narrow leaves the top of the bread raw or forces you to toast twice.

• Depth: a deep cavity takes tall slices, halved rolls or half baguettes, browning them evenly from the bottom up. Haier I-Master toasters have deep slots, suited to toasting any kind of bread with no raw patches.
• Width: a wide slot also lets you fit rustic bread and the thick slices of artisan loaves, not just standard sliced bread.
• Evenness: look for a model that heats evenly across the whole surface of the slot, so you avoid the classic “burnt underneath, pale on top” result.

Browning levels and programmes: the criterion that makes the difference

This is the criterion that sets a basic toaster apart from a quality one. Every bread needs its own treatment: sliced bread browns quickly, wholemeal or multigrain bread takes longer, and a small slice burns if you use the same setting as a large one.

• Browning levels: a good scale offers at least 7 levels, so you go from lightly golden to nicely crisp, choosing with precision.
• Dedicated functions: the most useful are single-side browning (to toast two different surfaces at once), the small-bread function (which stops smaller slices from burning) and the favourites memory, which saves the setting you use most.
• Programmes and display: the more advanced models add customisable programmes and a screen to guide your selection, for a repeatable result every time.

Power in watts: speed and evenness

Power affects how quickly the toaster reaches temperature and its ability to brown evenly, especially when the slices or slots are larger.

• 2-slot models: power of around 1000-1200 W is more than enough for quick, even toasting at everyday breakfast.
• Models with a long or extra-large slot: here you need more power, up to around 2400 W, to quickly heat a larger surface and achieve even browning on large slices too.
• Energy use: how much a toaster uses depends on making the most of targeted functions such as single-side toasting.

Safety, practicality and cleaning

A toaster is used often and with your hands full: the practical details are what make it pleasant (or annoying) to use every day.

• Removable crumb tray: essential for quickly clearing crumbs and avoiding stale smells. Better still if it pulls out without tools.
• High-lift lever: lets you safely retrieve even small slices without burning your fingers.
• Stop function: being able to stop toasting at any moment gives you full control and avoids burning the bread.
• Easy-to-clean surfaces: a smooth interface with no protruding buttons wipes clean with a cloth, even with greasy fingers, with no residue stuck in the gaps.

Haier I-Master toasters do more than just heat bread: they bring together features designed to achieve even browning on different types of bread, with a high level of control and great everyday convenience.

• Deep slots: toast any size, from a thin slice to half a baguette, browning evenly regardless of size, thickness and texture.
• 7 browning levels + dedicated functions: adjustable single-side, a small-bread function and a “favourites” memory to repeat your ideal toasting.
• Glass walls on two sides (Series 7): see the browning in real time and stop it at the exact moment you prefer; the glass panels are also removable for easy cleaning.
• Smart interfaces: a “full-flat” touch panel that wipes clean without residue on the Series 5; an LCD screen with a control dial and customisable programmes on the Series 7.
• Lift and practicality: an extra-high lift lever and a “lift and look” function on the Series 5; electronic lift and an upright position to store the Series 7 easily.
• Removable crumb tray: quick, hygienic cleaning after every use.
• hOn ecosystem: the Series 7 is connected via WiFi and can also be controlled remotely through the hOn App, with recipes and settings from master bakers; the Series 5 uses the app for recipes and inspiration. In both cases, you have a real helper for your toasting.

I-Master technology at a glance

The toaster is a low-consumption appliance because it works for only a few minutes at a time. Actual consumption depends far more on how you use it than on power alone. Here is how Haier models help you avoid using more energy than you need, by getting the amount right for each slice:

• Toast only what you need: the small-bread and single-side functions avoid heating surfaces unnecessarily and having to toast again.
• Check without opening (Series 7): the glass walls show you the browning in real time, so you stop at the right point and avoid throwing burnt slices in the bin.
• Stop whenever you want: the stop function lets you end the cycle as soon as the bread is ready, without using extra energy.
• Choose the right level: setting the browning you actually want, instead of starting over if the result is not right, cuts both time and energy use.

The Haier I-Master range comes in two models, designed for different needs. Here is a comparison to help you choose: