It's quite amazing that Dualit have had the quality toaster field to themselves for so long. If you want a bread-blasting kitchen appliance with any style and durability, you still don't have much choice between the bog standard and Dualit's £100 plus models.

But no-one with any ambition to have a kitchen worthy of a glossy mag spread can afford to be without their Dualit. They're chunky, clunky and timelessly stylish, but strange and occasionally cranky beasts. The bread slots are non-adjustible and rather small, and the timer is manual - no automatic pop up. You have to learn how far to twist the control for the colour of toast you require, or continually check to find out how it's doing.

Yet you can't help but love them - perhaps because you've already invested so much money in your purchase...