A toaster is a kitchen appliance that roasts thin slices of bread. Among the wide variety of household appliances, it is not very in demand. Not all Russians like to eat dried bread in the morning, but in some countries this is a tradition. What is a toaster for? Its functions and rules of use are described in the article.
Reason to buy
Do I need a toaster in the kitchen? According to reviews, for lovers of fried croutons, such a device will be a great helper. Whether a toaster is needed can be determined by analyzing the following points:
- Reduce cooking time. This is the main thing for which you need a toaster. No need to wait for the frying pan or oven to heat up. Heating occurs after pressing the "Start" button.
- Lack of oil. This fact also determines why a toaster is needed. The device dries the bread and forms a golden crust, and also acquires an appetizing aroma.
- What else do you need a toaster for? No need to wash a greasy pan, just pour it outcrumbs from the pallet.
- The taste and crunch increase appetite and promote proper digestion. This is an equally common benefit that explains what the toaster is for.
Therefore, it will not be necessary to be at the stove, turn over the croutons, you can do other things in parallel. These reasons are enough to make sure you need a toaster. Customer reviews testify to the convenience of the device.
Only dry bread should be placed in the hole. It is not worth adding different fillings, as they will disable the device.
The electrical device was invented in 1893. Design and function have been improved over the decades. Compared to its predecessors, the 21st century toaster has an attractive look and many features. But the purpose of the devices is the same - to create toast.
Design
Considering whether you need a toaster at home, you should familiarize yourself with its device. This is a small unit, in the body of which there are slots. In the holes there are heating elements made of nichrome in the form of spirals. The device circuit assumes the presence of an electrical circuit and auxiliary elements for holding bread.
Inside it consists of:
- lever to lower the basket;
- heating plates with nichrome wires;
- disconnector - on the body is marked with the "Stop" button;
- lock to hold basket down;
- hot spiral that fries the slices;
- basketsfor bread;
- strike plate;
- electromagnet, thanks to which the basket is kept in working condition at the bottom;
- plate closing the contacts.
Pressing the lever handle opens the basket, closes the electrical circuit and starts the timer. The bread is heated by infrared radiation, and after a certain time the timer goes off and the electromagnet is powered off. The basket is released under the action of the spring upwards. The contacts open, the control circuit turns off.
Features
Manufacturers create toasters with different capabilities. They may differ depending on the purpose - for domestic or commercial use. There are several criteria that will allow you to choose the best toaster:
- The number of sections depends on the desired number of pieces. Sometimes there is 1 long slot where 2 slices can be placed. According to reviews, devices with 4 compartments are considered the most convenient.
- Energy consumption. The cooking speed is determined by the power. It can be within 600-1600W.
- The presence of a thermostat that allows you to select the time and temperature of roasting.
- Manual shutdown button. It stops heating at the right moment, no matter which cycle of operation is selected.
Functions
The main purpose of the toaster is drying and roasting plates of flour products with hot air. But modern devices perform various additional functions. Many toasters:
- warm up without drying;
- defrost;
- fry one side;
- put a seal on the bread;
- heat up buns on a special grill;
- have grill function;
- preparing sandwiches;
- prepare toast and scrambled eggs or a cutlet at the same time.
According to reviews, in addition to the basic and similar functions, there are additional useful little things that make the device more functional. So, it can have a retractable crumb tray, electronic control, automatic centering. Some devices have a high lift for small pieces, a compartment in the case for compact cable storage.
Modes
Electric toasters are:
- Mechanical - a simple option without a timer. Cooking is done manually.
- Semi-automatic. In this case, there is a thermostat, at a certain temperature, a shutdown occurs.
- Automatic. The device has a timer and a thermostat. This is a convenient configuration of the device, but the price of this model is higher.
Terms of Use
As evidenced by the reviews, the operation of the toaster is not difficult. To create toast, you need the right bread: the pieces must be made the same thickness and size. Large layers will touch the heaters and burn, while too thin ones dry out to crackers. It is advisable to purchase sliced bread.
First, you need to lower the slices into the slots, then set the mode, press the lever - and the procedure will start. You need to waitautomatic shutdown and lifting of ready-made toasts. It is possible to use the manual control button to monitor the degree of roasting and complete the work at your discretion.
The device must be loaded as much as possible so that the heating parts are not subjected to overheating at idle. Cooked loaves must be removed without using metal objects, as there is a risk of electric shock. It is better to unplug the cord from the outlet before removing the pieces.
When the products have cooled, it is necessary to eliminate the crumbs remaining inside. If you have a pallet, this will be very simple: shake off the dry residue and wipe the sliding plate, return it to its place. When the toaster does not have such a part, you need to turn it over and shake it until the crumbs are eliminated. The heating wires are then cleaned with a small brush or brush to prevent carbon deposits.
Precaution
The toaster is considered a fire hazard, so it must be placed in the kitchen in free space, away from the edge of the countertop. It is also necessary to control that there are no curtains nearby. Water must not fall on the operating device, otherwise the hot heating parts burst with sparks.
It is advisable to connect the equipment to the mains only for the period of toasting, and upon completion, disconnect the power cord. Do not cover the body. Before use, it is important to read the instructions for use.
So that there are nosoot, you need regular cleaning inside the case. Cleaning the area where the spirals are placed is only allowed in a dry way, with a brush or a brush. It is allowed to wash only the outer part of the case - with a damp cloth using a cleaning agent.
What to replace?
The standard toaster will not be able to make hot sandwiches. There is such a type of electrical engineering as a sandwich maker. In appearance, it is similar to a waffle iron. The device has frying plates under a non-stick coating. Sandwiches should be placed on a ribbed surface and the lid closed, set the cooking mode and, at the end of the process, remove the bread with the filling.
Thus, choose a toaster responsibly. Do not save on it, it is better to purchase a quality device. Subject to the rules of operation, the device is able to work for a long time.
