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 enlarge | Brand: Back to Basics
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $27.56
You Save: $22.43 (45%)
Rating:  38 reviews
Color: White
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.2
Dimensions (in): 14 x 7 x 8
MPN: TEM500PDWH
Model: TEM500PDWH
UPC: 018579188845
EAN: 0018579188845
ASIN: B000J45HM8
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Back to Basics = cheap = made in China. March 28, 2008
dsrussell (Corona, CA. United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I thought that this toaster was a bit of a gimmick ... makes toast, cooks eggs, heats meat all at the same time. You know, something you'd see on infomercials and roll your eyes (it slices, it dices, yadda ... yadda ... yadda). But since it costs no more than any other toaster (actually it cost less than most toasters that I was looking at), isn't huge, is fairly attractive, and it has received so many positive reviews (especially the black version), I thought, why not?
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was that the manual they included was for their black version and not the white one. What's the difference (other than having the name Paula Deen scrawled on the front)? Not much. Obviously the color of the toaster itself, but also the color of the control lights (blue for this version vs red) and the toast timer settings aren't numbered (they use dots instead). Who cares if the lights are red, blue or whatever (or whether the timer has dots instead of numbers)? I certainly could not care less, but it's a pet peeve of mine when the description in the manual doesn't match the actual product. This tells me that Back to Basics is simply cutting corners and doesn't want to be bothered with publishing a new manual.
The instructions states that you need to push the toast button before cooking toast. Sounds logical (you push the egg button for just eggs, or push the toast and eggs button to cook both). In reality, when cooking toast all you need to do is push the toaster lever down just like any other toaster (it automatically defaults to the toast only setting if a button isn't selected ... as it should). It's another pet peeve of mine when an instruction manual is wrong or incomplete. It is an indication that Back to Basics really isn't concerned with detail. I become leery of this product very quickly.
The next thing I noticed is that the poaching tray (miniature "frying pan") is extremely flimsy. Matter-of-fact, just washing it once bent the handle, so one must treat this important part like fine china or crystal, or the handle will suffer quick metal fatigue and break off after a few uses. In other words, don't touch the handle (except for lifting it out of the cooker). The next thing I noticed was that the steel compartment (where one pours the water to cook the eggs) fogged up or blistered / discolored on the very first use. So this nice, shiny compartment now has what resembles ugly hard water deposits covering the entire bottom and parts of the sides (this is permanent and won't clean up). These two not so minor problems told me that this product was really made on the cheap and would likely see the inside of my trash can within six months or so (but time will tell).
Back to Basics provides a plastic measuring cup (just about everything is plastic) that is almost impossible to read the poached egg markings. I have to hold it up to a light source to even begin to read it. And whenever you push any of the toaster's control buttons, the toaster slides across the counter (you'll need to grab the toaster, then push the buttons). Funny, all that would be needed is rubber feet and this wouldn't happen. In other words, everything about this toaster on my very first use screamed, "it's a piece of junk".
So how does this piece of junk cook? Here I received a pleasant surprise. It actually does a pretty good job. Toast cooks about average to better than average (I've owned some pretty lousy toasters). On my unit, each side of the bread is toasted fairly evenly, but one side (the inside element side) always toasts darker (which may be a plus when toasting English muffins). Depending upon the setting, the difference between the sides can be quite pronounced (on lighter settings there is not much difference, but YMMV). It's also not what I'd call a fast toaster, but at least it doesn't dry out the bread (obviously, the darker one cooks the toast, the dryer it will become). Normally, toasting leaves the bread soft on the inside ... the way toast should be ... at least when you use the toast setting ONLY (using the egg cooker in conjunction is another story -- sitting inside the toaster waiting for the egg to finish will indeed dry out most bread products -- not so with "heavier" breads like English muffins). The top portion of normal "loaf" bread doesn't toast, but we're only talking about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch or so (depending upon the height of the bread). The toaster lever allows one to raise the toast after cooking, but since it raises it only about a half inch at most, that "feature" doesn't work nearly as well as it should (yes, you'll be "fishing" for many types of breads and muffins). It has a crumb tray that slides out effortlessly (doesn't snag) for easy cleaning.
I've only poached eggs (don't like hard boiled eggs all that much) and for one person, this "gimmick" actually works quite well. The diameter of the poaching tray is the perfect size for a bagel or English muffin. For a family, I think this single egg cooking process would be far more trouble than it's worth, but for me, it's ideal.
What do I rate it? Well, between 1 and 10, it probably doesn't deserve any more than a marginal 6 (or barely a 3-star rating), and I think I'm being generous here. It toasts bread fairly well if you like a lighter shade of toast (I do), but the inside elements cook too hot (or the outside elements cook less hot ... take your pick). The poached egg settings cook the center fully (I detected no difference between filling the measuring cup with water to the "soft" line or "medium" line), but basically it does what it's advertised to do (makes a pretty good poached egg). However, in order to get a more moist egg center (but not runny), I don't break the yoke and use less water than is suggested (your trial and error testing may be different). I'm also sure that it will heat cooked meat in the upper tray just fine, but I haven't tried it yet (the steam that it emits is quite hot and will burn you if you're not careful -- so keep your hands and arms out of the way and don't place the machine under your kitchen cabinets or it may hurt the finish). However, parts of this product are so fragile and cheaply made that this toaster will probably become toast before the year is out.
I think it's a shame that Back to Basics didn't really go back to basics, and instead they decided NOT to use quality materials in two critical areas (as noted above). I'm convinced it "could be" be a nifty device to have around the kitchen. Heck, I really like its unique ability and would have gladly paid an extra 30 to 40 percent for a unit that was solidly built. But it is what it is, so buy at your own risk (luckily, one won't be out a lot of money when this thing bites the dust).
 Not even heating element March 6, 2008
Judy Chang Foley (Estes Park, CO United States)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
The toaster part of the heating element is not balance/even.
The toast comes out one side darker than the other.
 I love it!!! February 16, 2008
Emily Jordan
I got this toaster for Christmas. It is the greatest kitchen gadget I've ever owned. I have 3 children and a hungry husband. They love the breakfast sandwiches I make with this great toaster. I love everything about it. No complaints at all! I think everyone who loves eggs should own one. My children liked scrambled eggs, so I just beat the egg before putting it in the cup. The sandwiches disappear in no time and I am happy because they've had a nutritious, warm breakfast. We even make the sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
Love It! February 9, 2008
Martha Lewis (High Ridge, MO USA)
I love this product. It makes a perfect sandwich. When my grandsons come over, they always want me to fix them an egg. They think the product is great also!
GREAT!!! January 23, 2008
R. Postlewait
OK this is why this rules: 1. poach eggs. 2. hard boil up to 4 eggs. 3. heat a sausage on it, 4. toaster. 5. quick and easy and no mess.... IT IS THE BEST!!!!!!
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