Complete disappointment This toaster broke within one month and was pretty disappointing even when it did work... uneven browning, with one side of the bread toasted more than the other, and no extra lift facility as claimed. I received no response from Russell Hobbs customer services regarding our problems. We now have to buy a new toaster...
Durable I've had mine since 1999 (8 years) and it's finally given up the ghost (only toasts 2 slices at a time these days). I was quite surprised at the 'over engineered' electro mechanical approach to the 'hold down' mechanism (levers won't stay down if it's not plugged in) but I guess that's a feature (don't think you're toasting if you're not). I've had no problems with leavers catching/rattling and basically, it's done what it said on the tin from day 1. Back in the day, it surely was the #1 most expensive... more info
You are buying a cheap, useful, but not durable toaster As you'll see below, this is not the most durable toaster in the world. Then again, it's not the most expensive either. Most important is that it does 4 slices. 2 Slices is no good, no good at all. 2 Slices is for single or very thin people. 4 slices covers you and your partner. If you've just bought a home, you want a cheap, good looking toaster that covers the whole 1-4 slice range... get this! Just don't throw it across the room (even a small room), it will break.
The dumb blonde of toasters A great looking appliance and it does do a decent job of toasting - which on the face of it would seem to be all that's required of a toaster. However, the slots are unevenly sized, so thick items in slot one won't go in slot two. Slots 3 and 4 are the same size, but the levers often jam and won't pop up, resulting in clouds of smoke. Crumb trays are fiddly to remove and re-insert - the plastic handle on one cracked by itself after a few months. Cancel button doesn't always work either, so there's some... more info
