Russell Hobbs 14390 Glass Touch Toaster

First impressions of this toaster: sleek and stylish appearance; rather limited size of the toasting slot in relation to the size of the appliance; opaque glass sides won't show finger marks as much as a metal toaster. With only one slot a maximum of only two slices can be toasted at one time and if the slice is very tall (i.e. more 5" or 120mm) it will have to be placed on its side and then only one slice will fit comfortably. I'd estimate that the maximum thickness of a slice that could be safely toasted is about 3/4" (20mm) and that the toaster isn't suitable for odd shaped ends of cob/bloomer-types of loaves. The toaster is shallow depth and having the electronic touch controls along the front, long axis, means that the toaster can be placed at the back of a work-surface and leave space in front.

The controls are placed along the bottom edge of the front of the toaster and comprise illuminated icons to signify whether the defrost option has been chosen; up to 7 browning levels are available as a sequence of 7 blue lights adjusted by arrows to increase or decrease the chosen level. A cancel button completes the controls. My first thought was that a digital display was a complicated way of choosing how brown you want your toast but I then found that it allowed one to see a count-down as to when the toasting would be completed. The lights go out one by one until the process is completed.

I've done a series of experiments comparing: different types of breads; the same bread toasted from frozen or not; the same bread toasted after the toaster has been used several times in quick succession; and also comparing this toaster with a similarly-priced Dualite toaster.

For most of my tests I chose browning level 3. I've never come across a bread that's required the highest level of toasting on any of the numerous toasters I've owned over the years. Manybe some people like to eat charcoal and don't have a sensitive smoke-detector!
For the frozen bread I turned on the defrost option. A little blue light comes on above the snowflake icon and is not that easy to see, especially for tall people as the glass front of the toaster rather obscures the indicator light.

RESULTS:
Test 1: Brown granary loaf: toasted from frozen: browning level 3 led to a nicely browned and evenly toasted slice. One side of the toast was slightly paler than the other.

Test 2: The same bread as Test 1 but un-frozen (the latter had been frozen but was defrosted naturally) and toasted on 3 led to the same appearance. So the defrost option appears to be satisfactory.

Test 3: Pre-sliced thick, commercial white toastie loaf that I'd just bought specially for these tests. On setting 3 led to even browning across the slice and again one side slightly browner than the other.

Test 4: Fairly-thickly hand-sliced white cottage loaf from a local bakery. Again on level 3 led to a nicely browned piece of toast that was evenly browned.

Test 5: Thickly sliced, white bloomer loaf toasted from frozen. Was burnt on level 3 plus defrost option. This outcome led to the question was it the type of bread or the fact that I used the toaster repeatedly? So I did Test 6:

Test 6: The same bread as Test 3 toasted on level 3 as before: result the toast was much browner and was, in fact, burnt. Conclusion if you use the toaster repeatedly in quick succession you'd need to reduce the browning level.

Test 7: After letting the toaster cool for about 10 minutes I repeated Test 3 and got the same result as in Test 3.

Test 8: I toasted some of the same white breads in my existing Dualite toaster on its browning level 3 and found that the degree of browning was very similar to the Russell Hobbs that is the subject of this review. The effect of sequential use in quick succession on the degree of browning was less marked in the Dualite in other words it didn't lead to burnt toast only slightly browner.

Further notes after using: although the glass front and back panels of the toaster don't get very hot after repeated use the two metal end-panels do and that is where one would handle it to lift the appliance. The degree and duration of pressure needed to operate the touch-controls takes a little bit of practice but one soon gets the hang of them.

Conclusions: A stylish looking toaster that would suit a single person or couple who don't want to eat a lot of toast at one time. It's performance is fine for small quantities but not for repeated use over a short time period. The reason for buying would be it's appearance not its performance.

This is one classy, high end toaster with the most contrived (but attractive) design the trusty toaster has ever displayed. With a neon blue touch screen display (just what you always needed, a touch screen on a...toaster!), sleek design and powerful heat - it's simply faultless. Then comes the most bizarre, slightly ridiculous and yet strangely WONDERFUL design. Amazingly, some design engineer decided it would be a good idea to cover the outer chrome body of the toaster with white glass pannels? Is it for protection? I know the outside of a toaster can get somewhat warm, but it's hardly the hazard of the century? Like many people (probably), I thought the glass panels were there for a reason, such as lifting to become a tray. Apparently not.
The usual functions exist such as browning control and defrost. The slot is where this toaster really becomes a winner. Long and deep, it can cope with almost all types of bread. The result is fast and effective. Insert bread and it will come out as toast - fast!
This toaster may look good, but it also feels solid. A busy kitchen needs something that packs a punch and this is the one.
To conclude, this is simply a great toaster with a strange but attractive design.

This toaster is pretty cool looking & looks very stylish in the kitchen.
It would look really good in a white & modern kitchen
It has touch sensitive buttons which is quite different to other standard toasters available.
The blue illuminated touch controls (browning, defrosting, eject etc) look futuristic & technical.
I have to emphasise it is quite big for a toaster & I'd say it is twice the length of normal toasters & is heavier also.
I think it is expensive for a toaster & not particualrly value for money. But that's me, I don't normally pay alot for looks & am more of a practical person!

A toaster is a toaster to me but if you are style conscious, then this is for you.

Please note: This is NOT the glass toaster that's being talked about that is made of glass & you can see your toast being toasted through the glass!!