4 ms·

I have wondered too. I am on on, like, my fourth toaster. They work for a few years then fail in some non fixable way. So I toss and order another from Am

I have wondered too. I am on on, like, my fourth toaster. They work for a few years then fail in some non fixable way. So I toss and order another from Amazon. Think of all the material waste. Not very eco-friendly. But it’s another 30 bucks and comes next day … Is there a market for ‘buy it for life’ toaster. The question is will people pay 2-4X as much as cheap china toaster? Would you pay $150 for a lifetime toaster with replaceable parts? Would you pay $200? Or just 20% more than the next model? Would the retro angle get people to do it? Would the eco angle? Or the ‘right to repair’ angle? Or is it just easier to toss the thing and get another from our friends in Seattle?

convolvatron 5y ago
I got a really lovely chrome single slice from...i think the 30s or 40s on ebay for $30. work required: completely dismantle. soak return coil spring assembly in mineral oil. make a new carbon contact by cutting down a motor brush replace cord with new cloth 3 conductor (plastic didn't look right) 10 years later and still works perfectly.
askvictor 5y ago
Looks like Dualit toasters fit that bill somewhat. But a set of replacement elements cost several times more than a cheap toaster.
- pmyteh 5y ago
  You're not likely to need a complete set: they can be replaced individually. Mine is from about 1987, and I got it about 10 years ago on eBay. I've replaced one element card, as a result of a previous owner's dodgy repair causing arcing that eventually burned out a connector. The others look very old and are still fully functional. Having said that, I understand the clockwork timers also fail from time to time, and they aren't especially cheap. And the toast, while very good and continuously adjustable in hue, isn't quite magnificent.