Black & Decker 2-Slice Toaster

The Black & Decker 2-Slice Toaster, model T2707S, promises a lot with its sleek brushed stainless-steel housing, versatile toasting functions, and a budget-friendly price tag. But does it live up to expectations? As someone who has put this toaster to the test over several weeks, I have a comprehensive take on its performance, features, and overall value.

Design & Build Quality

Right out of the box, the toaster impresses with its stylish design. The brushed stainless steel and chrome accents give it a modern look that fits well in any kitchen. It's compact, measuring 12 x 8 x 9 inches, making it easy to find a spot for it on even the most crowded counters. The 12.1-pound weight adds a sense of sturdiness, and it doesn't feel flimsy or cheaply made. However, the toaster's exterior does tend to gather fingerprints, so keep a cloth handy if you want it to always look pristine.

Features & Usability

The T2707S offers an array of features that cater to different toasting needs. The extra-wide, self-centering slots are a highlight, easily accommodating thick slices of artisanal bread and bagels. The push-button controls for frozen items, bagels, reheat, and cancel functions add versatility. An indicator light for each function ensures you can easily see what setting you're using, a useful feature, especially in dimly lit kitchens.

The 6-setting browning control allows for precise toasting, whether you prefer your bread lightly toasted or almost charred. Initially, I found the toast to be uneven, with one side often darker than the other. Adjusting the settings helped somewhat, but it didn’t entirely solve the issue. This is a common problem with many toasters, but it's worth noting if you're particular about having evenly toasted bread.

Performance

In terms of performance, the toaster is somewhat of a mixed bag. The 1400-watt power ensures quick toasting, but the results can be inconsistent. Toasting regular bread on the middle settings usually produced satisfactory results—crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside. Bagels also came out well, though the bagel function didn't always toast the cut side more than the crust side as it should have.

One of the recurring issues was its tendency to launch toast with quite a bit of force. This can be amusing, but it also means that lighter slices can sometimes end up on the counter rather than staying in the toaster. The crumb tray is another area that could use improvement. While it's easy to slide out and clean, it doesn't catch all the crumbs, often leaving a mess on the counter.

Durability

The toaster worked well for the first few weeks but began to show signs of wear. The lever, which holds the toast down, occasionally failed to latch, requiring a bit of jiggling to get it to stay down. While I could fix this issue temporarily, it was a sign that the mechanism might not be very durable. Additionally, the toaster has anti-tamper screws that make it difficult to take apart and repair, which is a downside for those who like to fix things themselves.

Cleaning

Cleaning the toaster is relatively straightforward. The slide-out crumb tray makes it easy to get rid of most crumbs, though, as mentioned, it doesn't catch all of them. The exterior, while attractive, does require regular wiping to keep it looking good because it tends to collect fingerprints and smudges easily.

Value for Money

Given its price point, the Black & Decker 2-Slice Toaster offers decent value for money. It’s not the cheapest option available, but it’s also far from the most expensive. For the features it offers—extra-wide slots, multiple browning settings, and various function buttons—it's a reasonable purchase if you catch it on sale. However, the inconsistent toasting and issues with the lever mechanism might make you think twice if you’re looking for something that's built to last.

Final Thoughts

The Black & Decker 2-Slice Toaster, model T2707S, has its strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, it’s stylish, compact, and offers a range of features that make it versatile for different toasting needs. The extra-wide slots and easy-to-use controls are definite advantages. On the downside, its performance can be inconsistent, and durability issues may arise after a year or so of use.

Would I recommend this toaster? If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that looks good on the counter and handles most toasting tasks reasonably well, it's worth considering—especially if you can get it on sale. However, if you prioritize consistently even toasting and long-term durability, you might want to explore other options. Overall, it's a decent toaster for its price, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of reliability and performance one might expect from a brand like Black & Decker.