KitchenAid KTT340ER 2-Slice, Two-Slot Toaster with Bagel and Warm Functions, Empire Red
From KitchenAid
Unmistakable KitchenAid style and quality. Easy to use with extra wide slots and Baker's Bagel toasting system for gentle browning. Precise, even heating, warming function and soft-rise feature. Also includes an easy-lift lever, self-centering racks, stainless steel interior, removable crumb tray and under-base cord storage. In a sleek, heat-resistant polycarbonate housing. Model KTT340. Manufacturer's one-year warranty.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #2649 in Kitchen & Housewares
- Color: Empire Red
- Brand: KitchenAid
- Model: KTT340ER
- Dimensions: 8.40" h x 9.30" w x 13.10" l, 4.20 pounds
This compact two-slot toaster from KitchenAid comes with a menu of toasting features and a sturdy, user-friendly structure. KitchenAid's Even Heat system automatically adjusts the heavy-gauge heating elements, so toast comes out consistently, even in large batches. A bagel function toasts the cut side of bagels, while simply warming the crusts, and a warming function gently reheats previously toasted foods. The Easy Lift lever and Soft Rise feature are both helpful when lowering slices or raising them to a graspable height. Notably wide and deep, the self-centering dual slots accommodate thick slices of brioche or fat bagels. Other handy details include a dial for shade control, "cut side" markings for bagel toasting, power indicator lights, a dishwasher-safe crumb tray, and power cord storage hooks. The toaster's stainless-steel interior and polycarbonate housing are built to last and easy to clean. The unit measures 11 by 7-3/4 by 6-3/4 inches. --Emily Bedard
Excellent for Bagels
This is the only toaster on the market that has a differential heating button (hotter on the inside heaters, lesser on the outside heaters) to be used only for bagels. The cut side of the bagel (inside) will toast nicely, whereas the uncut side (outside) will only warm. The bagel comes out perfect, not rock hard which is often the case when it's been toasted on both sides.
My only disappointment with this toaster is how it toasts regular white bread/English Muffins. Since the bread is thin, it is held too far away from the heating elements, and it usually takes two attempts to get the bread actually toasted to anything more than just a light brown. If you want your toast darker, you'll have to adjust your setting, and then toast again.
If you are looking for a superb toaster for your bagels, this is the one for you. But if you don't eat toasted bagels that often, you would be better off with a more traditional toaster, without the extra wide slats.
Works great! No problem getting dark toast
I really hesitated to order this toaster because of complaints about it not toasting items completely enough (because, depending on what I am toasting and why, I sometimes like my toast dark). I bought it anyway because of the bagel function, and figured I would just "double toast" if necessary. I have absolutely no complaints about this toaster! If I turn the darkness knob all the way to the darkest setting, I get toast that is quite dark -- what I would call burnt, actually; more importantly, I no longer have to choose between bagels that are not toasted enough (but still soft inside) or toasted as I like them on the outside and dried out inside. The bagel function on this toaster works great -- fully toasted on the cut side and completely warmed throughout without being dried out! This is how a bagel SHOULD be toasted. I don't know if the company has modified the unit, or if others just got "unlucky" or if I just got "lucky", but this toaster works fine for me at whatever setting I use with just a sngle toasting.
One note, though for those of you who expect the empire red toaster to EXACTLY match the empire red stand mixer: the color match is not exact (different exterior materials). It is somewhat noticable (to me, anyway -- my kitchen gets lots of natural light) if they are side by side on the counter, but if they are not side by side, you'll never notice it.
Great for Bagels
I bought this toaster specifically for Bagels. For that, it is very good. The differential heating, where the cut side of the bagel will toast, and the uncut of the bagel will just warm, is a very good feature. The bagels come out well toasted, but not rock hard due to toasting on both sides.
I am however disappointed with the regular Toasting feature. It appears that, due to the very wide slots in order to accomodate thick bagels, that regular white bread and English Muffins are held too far away from the heating elements in order to sufficiently toast the first time. The toast setting must be reset, and then you'll need to toast a bit more in order to have your final toast "well done" which is how I prefer it.
If you are looking for the only toaster on the market which has a "Bagel" setting (i.e. differential heating) buy this model. It is superb for toasting your bagels. If you are just looking for an ordinary toaster, or don't do bagels that much, this toaster is not for you.
