MacKenzie-ChildsEmerald Check 2-Slice Toaster

STYLE and FUNCTION! Finally found a great toaster!

I've only had this toaster a week, but so far I'm pleased with the toasting of bread, bagels and waffles, and of course the unique style. First the good things, it's pleasing to look at and compliments my kitchen. The look would work equally well in a contemporary style kitchen as a country or retro style. The variety of colors available provide versatility in coordinating with various style options as well (Green purchased, True Red, Cobalt Blue, Soft Gray, even a Soft Pink, each with the creme color alternating check.) The Red would be so fun in a farm house style kitchen, while the soft gray or pink lends itself to a more contemporary style but is versatile as well. Definitely not your typical toaster, a great unique accent and colors. But does it pass the toast test!? Happy to say YES! - the best of three others recently tried! I also like that the instruction booklet - as if we need to learn how to toast, actually does give helpful info to best determine the accuracy of the workings of this toaster, instead of mis-judging it's browning on the same setting from bagels to bread to waffles. It lists how types of breads, vary in moisture content and require different settings, and recommends where to start. i.e., my favorite bread may brown perfectly on #3, but a waffle may need #4 - individual preferences vary of course. It includes a bagel button and defrost which is basically a waffle button. I first tried regular soft sandwich type loaf bread, I was pleased with the results on 1st try - finally!! Not entirely the same on both sides but closer than any other toaster I tried and not in need of adjustment - very acceptable and 98% even browning edge to edge. It's not obvious which side cut bagel should face based on the icon on button as it was opposite what I guessed. That being said, the bagel was toasted on the outside and the cut side was slightly less soft than before toasting but with no browning, it actually tasted really good that way - cut side wasn't too soft and outside made the bagel just slightly crispy and chewy. I'll probably alternate which side I toast as both made the bagel good - but try each way, you may like both results. Finally there was the waffle test - which the returned white w/copper trim toasters didn't even slightly pass!! I used round Eggo Homestyle waffles for the test but the slot looks wide enough (1 1/4" between wire part of slots) to toast a Belgian waffle. I used a 3 or 4 setting PLUS the defrost button - that is a must - the waffle came out browned just right, not too much and completely warm and defrosted inside. FINALLY! A toaster that passed the toasting test! One NOTE about WAFFLES though - at least the thin round ones, they POP OUT of this toaster. Don't know why, but they do, it's kind of funny as long as onto a counter and not the floor, so be aware. Actually I think it would be quite entertaining for kids! Definitely not a deal breaker with so much being right about this toaster. And fortunately Bread and Bagels do not pop out they just pop up normally when done, I can deal with just the waffles, LOL! I can't believe I spent so much money on a toaster. But after the frustration of a lousy very uneven toasting highly rated B brand I put up with for several years, then recently returning three expensive white with copper trim models.... as long as this lasts several years, I'm ok with the expense. So far, it's a great example of Style AND Function! It's pleasing just to look at! I do hope I can say I am this happy as months and years go by. It is disappointing, especially for the price, that the "chrome" trim around the bottom, the lever and buttons, are all plastic. The good news is that it all looks like real chrome. Sadly, plastic trim seems to be the norm on most all toasters, with the cheapest brands having a plastic case which seems absurd for such a hot device. The checkered case portion of this toaster is definitely metal, I tested it with a magnet. The top toaster slot area is metal. Given plastic trim, I'd give it four stars instead of five, but since the plastic where metal should be seems sadly the current industry standard, along with being the first out of four toaster tries that actually toasts well, AND looks good, I'm giving it five stars. Hopefully I won't regret that as time goes by!