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This classic toaster design was not without it's deficiencies. The raising mechanism was far too slow and the bimetallic strip had a tendency to get blocked wi
by beloch 6y ago
This classic toaster design was not without it's deficiencies. The raising mechanism was far too slow and the bimetallic strip had a tendency to get blocked with crumbs, etc., causing unexpectedly variable toasting. There is certainly some elegant engineering on display, but most people would probably not want to deal with this toaster on a daily basis.
That being said, today's toasters have their own problems. Most simply aren't built to last. My previous toaster had a mechanical lever to lower the toast and engage the heating elements, latched down with a timed release with a nice digital display. The timer was, unfortunately, a relatively cheap part that was fried one day, likely by heat or a voltage spike. After that happened, the toaster would only toast if you held the lever down.
I do get the feeling that a lot of people are starting to place more and more value on reliability. Most of us don't want appliances that randomly fail after a year or two. The trouble is that it's bloody hard to tell if a given "premium" toaster with "excellent build quality" has an Achilles heel like the timer in my departed toaster. You just can't tell if a toaster will last based on its price, marketing buzz-words, heft, etc..
To manufacturer's, the trick seems to be to keep customers coming back without taking them out of the market with a product that simply lasts. Their ideal toaster is one that reviewers will say is "built like a tank" and "should last generations", but has a hidden flaw that bricks it after a couple of years.
- AmericanChopper 6y agoFor a lot of appliances, there are brands that are known to last for years. The only problem is that you get what you pay for, so they tend to be rather expensive.
- jbotz 6y agoGive us some examples. OK, I'll start... Vacuums: Miele. I don't think Miele vacuums are quite as reliable as they used to be, but they are still (with some success) being marketed that way. What other brands for appliances ("white goods")..?
- beloch 6y agoVitamix blenders seem to be the real deal. I have one that's seen nearly daily use for about 15 years and is still going strong. I have tripped it's overheat sensor on some things (e.g. hummus), but it just shuts down and forces you to wait for it to cool instead of burning out.
- AmericanChopper 6y agoVitamix, kitchenaid (their stand mixers at least), magimix come to mind for appliances at least. If you take them apart you can see how high-quality all the components are. The only thing I’m skeptical about are the new wifi blenders, I’m sure they’ll prove to be less reliable than the one button + one dial models.
- colinb 6y agoOur Dualit two slice toaster is ~15 years old. It has a touch of Trigger's Broom because I've replaced the central heating elements once, and will do the same with the side elements soon. I know Dualit sell replacements for the timer mechanism though ours has been fine so far. I would like a toaster that could handle thicker slices. But I quite like having a toaster that has survived three house moves, two children, a lot of floating cat hair, and generally rough treatment, and doesn't have a visible scratch. I think they must make them from old battleship armor.
- naikrovek 6y ago> most people would probably not want to deal with this toaster on a daily basis. I used this model of toaster every day from the age of about 5 until I joined the Air Force. I dispute your claim. Besides, any bad things about this toaster are not required in order to have the good things. Given that the video linked by this HN discussion is about designing a new toaster based on the technology used in the classic Sunbeam toaster, you seem dangerously close to claiming that "the bad things about this toaster model make any desire to use it's technology in a new toaster something of a bad idea" and I would strenuously argue against that, if that is indeed what you're saying. If a thing has problems, then fix the problems -- don't abandon the whole thing because it is imperfect as it is today. A toaster is a construct, and it can be constructed well.