Mueller Retro Toaster 4 Slice with Extra Wide Slots Bagel, Defrost, and Cancel Function, 6 Browning Levels, Dual Independent Controls, Removable Crumb Tray and High Lift Levers, Beige

This toaster looks like a 50’s Buick and does its job in excellent fashion. We purchased this to replace a Breville 4-slice toaster that, admittedly, had numerous premium features and lasted 16 years, but also cost over three times as much then as this Müeller Retro does today.Ultimately, the Breville’s motor driven lower-and-lift mechanism failed so I’m happy to see that this Müeller uses a traditional “manual” lowering mechanism with a spring driven lift when the toast is done. The lift spring is a bit strong for small slices of bread, as they nearly jump out of the toaster, but it is perfect for heavier items like bagels. If a small slice doesn’t quite come up to the top when done, you can lift the paddle to raise it about another half inch, a desirable feature that even the Breville does not offer.I was very pleased to see that the length and width of the slots is identical to the Breville at 5.5” long and 1.5” wide, so it fits almost everything I want to toast. Additionally, this Müeller Retro has a “proper” bagel feature that only toasts one side when selected. It also offers an effective “Defrost” function that adds just the right amount of extra time to the toasting so that a frozen slice comes out toasted to the same degree as it would if it was room temperature at any given setting.We have found that rotating the dial to just over “3 ½” is perfect for typical bread slices and produces a very uniformly tanned surface on both sides. If the bread is frozen, just push the defrost button and the toast still comes out the same as it would unfrozen, it just takes a little longer.Logically, after use, the top 1/3 of the toaster body is quite warm / hot but it cools off quickly. Just be careful if you want to slide it back under the cabinets on the counter that you grab it on the lower part of the body or wait a few minutes.It does have two removable crumb trays, but they are accessed from the back of the toaster, so they are slightly less convenient than if they were front mounted, and I wish the cord was a bit longer, as it is only 30” (76cm) long, and it comes out of the far-right side of the base. This means that if your counter outlet is to the left of the toaster, because of the toaster’s 12” (30cm) width you only effectively have 18” (46cm) of cord left.This might prompt you to use an extension cord to run the toaster. If you do, be absolutely sure that the extension cord is as short as possible and rated for the 1650 Watts (15 Amps at 110 Volts) that this toaster draws when all four slots are being used.Do I miss some of the “fancy” features of the 4-times (today) as expensive Breville? Frankly, not as much as I thought I might. What counts in the end is how uniform and consistent the toast is made, and this Müeller excels in that measure at a very reasonable cost.

The media could not be loaded. I wasted my time by buying more “high end” (a.k.a more expensive) branded toasters that were made of very flubby plastic, almost having to worry about causing indents when I picked them up, and didn’t seem like they would hold up well over time. I’m specifically talking about the Laura Ashley ones- the ones that have floral prints on them. Off topic, but if you read a review saying those are such great quality, those people either have no idea what they’re talking about or they’re just straight up lying, because that was the most overpriced, cheap feeling (and looking) toaster I bought.I love this toaster. It toasts well, exactly as it should (which apparently is too much to ask for these days). This toaster is not flubby at all when you pick it up. I don’t know what it’s made of but it’s completely solid- you can flick it and hear no empty space behind it, and the outside won’t move. It looks expensive, and considering *no one* seems to make toasters as durable as even 4 years ago, I’m telling you right now that this might be one of the last toasters you can get that actually worth your money and will hold up well over time. I’m surprised that it’s the price it is (although, I’m definitely not complaining). I like the retro style, it looks good on my countertop. It makes sitting in my kitchen a joy, because it’s aesthetically pleasing. I hope they never stop selling it, because if anything should happen to this toaster, I’m coming right back here to get another one.If you’re looking to pair it with an electric kettle, I suggest the Nueva and Five 1.7L Electric Kettle. Not only is it pretty and matches well with this toaster, but also has no plastic on the inside where the water boils (only stainless Steel). So if you’re one of those people who care to avoid ingesting micro plastics, this is awesome too for the price. I just thought I’d include this here considering I wasted so much time trying to figure out the best combination myself. I’ll upload pictures too. Hope this helps :)

Needed to make space on my counter tops. Got rid of my cuisinart oven and replaced with toaster. Looks very nice.

Great toaster that can do single and double sided toasts. Use for Hamburger buns on the single side (bagel) setting. Works fabulously and is well made.

The style is super cute and unique, although it is very lightweight and doesn’t feel that sturdy. The slots are extra wide. The only reason I am not giving it a 5 star rating is because it doesn’t quite brown the entire slice of bread. No matter which slot I am using, there is a small section at the bottom or a side that doesn’t toast much. It’s not that big of a deal so I won’t return it. I just turn the bread over and toast it again.

Excellent Product. Love it. Works like it should.

Works well on breads and the color of this toaster is perfect for my house theme.

Great! Really cool looking too!