The Competition is Toast (Tefal Avanti Deluxe)

Name: sersha

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Tefal Avanti Deluxe
Date:	26/10/05 (292 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: four slice, defrost and reheat settings

Disadvantages: crumbs collect under levers, positioning of crumb trays

Tefal are almost synonymous with non-stick pans, in the same way that hoover stopped being a brand name and became the machine itself. I didn't know that Tefal also make other things, including toasters. Mine was a gift, and has proved to be a valuable addition to my kitchen, and not just nice and shiny.

Aren't all toasters pretty much the same? Well, I used to think so and I wouldn't have splashed out on a deluxe one. It's only since using this one that I have realised it has plenty of advantages over a regular toaster.

It's a four slot toaster, but the four slots are in two lots of two - meaning you can cook yourself two slices to have now, and two to have in five minutes (did I mention I like toast?). Beats having to wait for two to toast before putting another two in, or having four ready all at once and the second two getting cold and soggy while you eat the first two. If you are feeling particularly generous, you can always cook two for someone else, which means your toaster enables you to have a romantic breakfast more easily without bickering over who has to go and put more on.

And of course, if you are eating your two slices of toast alone, the division in the four sections means that you aren't grilling two empty slots and wasting energy, so there's a green tick and a saving money tick in there as well.

There is a six point dial for each two-slot section, so you can adjust the heat according to how brown (or black) you like it. This also means you can cook two lots of toast at different browning settings simultaneously - I like mine at 5, my husband likes his at 3. Useful! If you do toast four slices at once, you generate quite a lot of heat, which is something to watch out for as it's really quite surprising how hot the toaster gets.

The slots are wide enough for muffins or crumpets, so you aren't limited to just toast. You could probably even cook one of those disgusting pop tart things if you wanted to.

The other features are a defrost button, which means you can cook bread straight from the freezer with better results than if you were to put it on at a normal setting. There is a stop early button, in case for any reason you simply can't wait any longer. And finally there is a reheat without toasting button which is fantastic if your toast is perfectly done when the doorbell rings.

You simply press the individual levers (one per two slice section) to lower the bread in to the toaster, and click them down into place. Annoyingly crumbs seem to collect underneath these levers and it makes it a bit difficult to clean there and around the dials on the front.

This is one flash looking toaster. I like everything in the kitchen to be black or chrome and shiny, regardless of whether I use it or not. From an asthetic point of view, this toaster would be right at home in any bachelor pad or modern kitchen. The shape of the top is slightly curved and sloped downwards towards you, so you don't have to peer over the top of the toaster to see it cooking.

The two crumb trays - one per section - are located at the back. They would be more accessible at the front, but that's not a big issue. They are easy to pull out and clean. I clean the rest of the toaster with stainless steel cleaner, which I have in stock anyway, but it doesn't look so great when cleaned with detergent.

The toaster is sturdy and solid, and has survived a few drops and bashes due to me shaking it over the bin to release the last of the crumbs with no ill-effects!

RRP about £50.00

Summary: A fantastic-looking toaster with lots of cool settings