Dualit Toaster - very Slow

[h0b0]

I have an over priced piece of crap toaster... There we got that out of the way.

I have a 4 slice toaster bought mostly to reminisce about my childhood. When I bought it I excitedly showed my wife exactly how far to turn the timer to get perfect toast. It worked Today, if I do the same it gives me slightly warm bread. We now have to turn the timer to cremate setting to get toast. 30 years ago we would not have turned the timer to that setting for fear of nuclear meltdown. I know toasters are not as good as they used to be. But, this one literally is not as good as it used to be.

I tested the timer to see if it was running fast. Set to 3 it took 3.5 minutes. I assume this is in the ball park for correct.

I ran some test toast and found the bottom toasting faster than the top. I have read a lot about elements needing replacing but my testing has indicated every slot is doing the same. I think it unlikely that all have died in the same time frame. Am I wrong? Is this a common failure for all to go? I wondered if there was a power supply that was toast (sorry)

I am willing to replace the elements, or any other parts, but shipping to the US is expensive so do not want to throw parts at it.

Can anyone help me make my over priced paper weight restored to an over priced toater?

[DKL]

We have 2 and they both take about 2 mins, well 2 on the timer to toast things just fine.
What I did discover that annoyed me was that they come in 2 slot sizes and the narrow one is useless really. Latest acquisition is that sadly so it will be being replaced.
I can only assume there is an issue with your wiring somewhere but there are plenty of YT vids on stripdown and rebuild.

[Caddyshack]

Ours is about 18 years old now and it still takes 2 mins for perfect toast…always has taken 2 mins.

[sherman]

If its a proper dualit. Most bits like elementsxetc can be replaced.

Have you checked basic things like emptying the crumb tray?

[Rough101]

Are you comparing using one in the UK to one in the USA where the voltage is half?

[shtu]

I'd guess that over time, the clockwork timer has loosened up and runs faster than it used to, Under £15 for a genuine replacement.

[w1bbles]

Not much help but another Dualit 4 slotter here with a 20 year old unit that consistently makes good toast from ‘2’. Soz!

[h0b0]

Toaster is genuine but I do not know how old. Elements are genuine and 120V. Not comparing to UK toaster. This one toasted consistently just beyond the 2 mark. I timed the timer this morning and it seems to work.

If I put a second batch of bread in then it toasts in the expected time. It is as if there is a resistance issue. I have reseated cables with no improvement.

It sounds like I need to replace the elements. Just wanted to sanity check before I do. II will also change the timer at the same time.

[shtu]

OK, that's a little puzzling.

Email dualit and ask them, they do take some pride in their toasters being very repairable.

Edited by shtu on Thursday 18th January 21:48

[h0b0]

Good idea and email sent.

I assume burnt out elements happen individually so I would expect slot 3&4 to work and 1&2 to not. I am now wondering if a duff element brings everything down. I will see what Dualit say in the morning.

[miniman]

h0b0 said:

If I put a second batch of bread in then it toasts in the expected time. It is as if there is a resistance issue. I have reseated cables with no improvement.

Mine has always taken a little longer to do the first batch.

[h0b0]

A little longer I would expect but this is going from turning the dial all the way on the first to 2.5 on the second.

[Simpo Two]

I've found that toasters always cook the second round more. The interior is already hot so it doesn't need to be on for so long.

[G Thang]

I had one years ago. It broke down and it was going to cost more to fix than buying a good used one. That was in the early days of internet, so not much price competition on the parts. I got rid of it and bought a normal pop up toaster, that lasted much longer. In fact I might even have the same £20 toaster I bought 20 years ago.

And everyone mentioned it, especially the price, when they came round, which I found really tedious.

I concluded that dualit were overpriced and overrated poseur appliances.

[megaphone]

I have a two slice toaster from their 'studio' range. Worse toaster I have owned. From new it never toasted evenly, the inside element toasts more than the outside, so you get uneven browning on each side of the bread. I have to turn the bread around half way to get it even on both sides. PLus it sometimes doesn't hold down, have to try a few times. I should have taken it back but didn't.

[miniman]

h0b0 said:

I am willing to replace the elements, or any other parts, but shipping to the US is expensive so do not want to throw parts at it.

Happy to help get the bits to you, by the way.

[normalbloke]

miniman said:

h0b0 said:

I am willing to replace the elements, or any other parts, but shipping to the US is expensive so do not want to throw parts at it.

Happy to help get the bits to you, by the way.

Make sure you buy the genuine Dualit spanner! Makes swapping out the elements,and checking the busbars a lot easier…

[mikey_b]

Are you using the same type of bread as you used to? Different types of bread take different amounts of time to toast.

[RicksAlfas]

w1bbles said:

Not much help but another Dualit 4 slotter here with a 20 year old unit that consistently makes good toast from ‘2’. Soz!

Ours hits 27 years old this year. Still on "2".

[h0b0]

RicksAlfas said:

w1bbles said:

Not much help but another Dualit 4 slotter here with a 20 year old unit that consistently makes good toast from ‘2’. Soz!

Ours hits 27 years old this year. Still on "2".

The lack of age might be the cause of the problem. I’m not convinced the quality has got better with time. Also, the filaments are no longer exposed to not burn down houses.