Housewares Reviews

Got this January 2005. Before, I had an inexpensive chrome GE 2-slice toaster bought in 1972 when I got married. Still worked great after 32 years. Got LOTS of use. I'm a breakfast eater and raised a family with it. I tossed my trusty little GE toaster when I got this one. Small kitchen/minimal storage. I just made my first toast in this one. Results: It didn't tip because I turned it sideways with the knob near my right hand, but I could feel it raise up a little. The top after toasting ONCE is very hot. I set it on 4, medium. The toast was burned on the bottom and browned lightly on the top. Why doesn't it toast evenly? I gave it one star, because it does make toast. I can't give it more, because for the price, it should make toast well. I regret tossing my GE..it made wonderful toast and was still working great no matter how many times I put toast in and pushed the handle.



After reading these reviews and seeing it's true, I'm actually AFRAID of this toaster. haha oh well...It's too much money for me to throw it away. No receipt. I feel stupid for getting it. I regret tossing my trusty little toaster now. If you need a toaster, shop around. This is not the one. Even at 5.00, I would not have bought this one.

The Michael Graves Toaster has a great look and if you never make toast, I highly recommend it as retro artwork for the kitchen. But if you do like toast, keep a real toaster in the cabinet below. The MGT tips easily when pressing down the lever. Never saw another toaster do this. Seems like the design team would have noticed such a fundamental flaw and fixed it before going to market. Despite the "additional Hi-Rise feature," the toast is so low after pop up that one almost needs go fishing with a fork. Toasting uniformity is poor. The bottom is overly dry while the top is not even browned. Overall, a $9 no-name toaster will serve you better than this designer object pretending to be a useful kitchen appliance.

After reading the poor reviews but adoring this design and not being able to afford Michael Graves' designs for Alessi, I took a risk and ordered this toaster. As you will notice, the last review before mine is in Spring '04. Perhaps this is from a new lot or they fixed the problem because my toaster works just right, my toast is perfectly brown, my bagels are crisp on top and chewy on the inside, and making breakfast is a pleasure.

My husband and I love this microwave. It has a nice design and is really easy to use. The size is great for everything that we have needed to microwave. I would definitely recommend it!