I found the quality and functioning of this toaster to be somewhat poor. I was surprised that a toaster with a high price point would be so bad at toasting most things. I find that every single thing I put in it toasts unevenly. Half is slightly toasted while the other half is not toasted at all. Also it takes an extremely long time to toast anything! If you like your toast even just slightly brown., you have to put it on the Maximum 5 setting and wait longer than 5 to 10 minutes! It seems to dry out the bread from the inside out. It’s very disappointing and it ruins the texture of anything you put in it. Not to mention it’s huge and bulky and takes up so much space. I am looking to get rid of it and get a new one as soon as possible. I do not recommend buying this ... MoreI found the quality and functioning of this toaster to be somewhat poor. I was surprised that a toaster with a high price point would be so bad at toasting most things. I find that every single thing I put in it toasts unevenly. Half is slightly toasted while the other half is not toasted at all. Also it takes an extremely long time to toast anything! If you like your toast even just slightly brown., you have to put it on the Maximum 5 setting and wait longer than 5 to 10 minutes! It seems to dry out the bread from the inside out. It’s very disappointing and it ruins the texture of anything you put in it. Not to mention it’s huge and bulky and takes up so much space. I am looking to get rid of it and get a new one as soon as possible. I do not recommend buying this product. 

(Rewarded Review) Well designed with the user in mind.

Very happy with this toaster. Bought to replace an old one that had given great service but finally died. Darkness selector very easy to adjust and very consistent. Like the simple small light that verifies toasting is underway. Ditto the polite little beep when done. This little bit of technology is fine - don’t need any more problematic breakdown-prone bells and whistles. The lever design allows the toast to be raised just the right amount for easy removal when done. Looking forward to long life from this product.

Don't do it.

This toaster (silver) looks nice and that is about it. Pay attention to the measurements because it is pretty large. That is a minor issue, compared to the performance and denied return.I ignored other reviews about uneven toasting but ended up experiencing the same issue. This toaster not only fails to toast a single side evenly (the middle of the bread is darker while the edges are much lighter) but you will have one side that meets your preference while the other side is what I'd call two shades lighter or darker than you want. The darker toast side in my photo is on the '3' setting. I'm not even going to try '5' because I guess it would be quite dark. This might vary based on type of bread, but a more subtle range of tastiness would be better.Now to the ... MoreThis toaster (silver) looks nice and that is about it. Pay attention to the measurements because it is pretty large. That is a minor issue, compared to the performance and denied return.I ignored other reviews about uneven toasting but ended up experiencing the same issue. This toaster not only fails to toast a single side evenly (the middle of the bread is darker while the edges are much lighter) but you will have one side that meets your preference while the other side is what I'd call two shades lighter or darker than you want. The darker toast side in my photo is on the '3' setting. I'm not even going to try '5' because I guess it would be quite dark. This might vary based on type of bread, but a more subtle range of tastiness would be better.Now to the return attempt. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN YOUR APPLIANCE IF IT HAS BEEN USED. Even within 30 days. Even if it's just the single test you try to see how your new toaster works. How does this make any sense, at all? How would the customer know that the toaster doesn't function as expected without trying to toast a piece of bread?? In this day and age when you can easily return disappointing products to Amazon, Target, etc. I just don't recommend buying from this company directly. I have a nice looking, new $80 toaster that doesn't do its job, so I'm just not going to be a kitchenaid customer again.

Good, Not GREAT

Considering this is a KitchenAid appliance, I was expecting better quality. Overall, it gets the job done, it toasts bread, bagels, PopTarts, etc. However the levers really need to be pushed and held down for the toaster to engage, and it feels cheap; I anticipate the kids breaking the knobs sooner rather than later.The dial for toasting needs some adjusting: selecting 2 on the dial doesn’t fully toast a piece of sandwich bread, but selecting 3 toasts one side of bread perfectly but the other side is BURNED. This is the same for either slot used. Being able to select a ‘toasting time’ between the numbers on the dial would be great.There’s not many options on the market for reasonably priced 4-slice toasters, this KitchenAid gets it done, but I’m not in love with ... MoreConsidering this is a KitchenAid appliance, I was expecting better quality. Overall, it gets the job done, it toasts bread, bagels, PopTarts, etc. However the levers really need to be pushed and held down for the toaster to engage, and it feels cheap; I anticipate the kids breaking the knobs sooner rather than later.The dial for toasting needs some adjusting: selecting 2 on the dial doesn’t fully toast a piece of sandwich bread, but selecting 3 toasts one side of bread perfectly but the other side is BURNED. This is the same for either slot used. Being able to select a ‘toasting time’ between the numbers on the dial would be great.There’s not many options on the market for reasonably priced 4-slice toasters, this KitchenAid gets it done, but I’m not in love with it (but I’m also not willing to spend over $100+ for a higher-end option).

Only So-So

I have other KitchenAid appliances that we have enjoyed immensely and which provide excellent service. I judge this toaster, however, to be only acceptable, not superior. The lock on the lever to push down the bread is unsuitably weak; I have to force it down before it catches in place. The toasting seems to take a long time, and I have to set the dial quite high to get even moderately toasted bread. And the slot, while it is plenty wide enough for bagels, isn't long enough for wide rye bread. It's been a bit disappointing. But so far, it works OK.

The Red Toaster that does it all

The order came quickly (3 days from ordering). It was exactly as described and functions like a dream. I got the red one to match other items in my kitchen. I love the large slots, bagels, Texas toast and English muffins perfect with no issue. I do love the bagel button on the front. And there are so many degrees of how light or dark you want the item toasted to. I love Kitchen Aide products, I have several others and this toaster is the perfect addition to my kitchen counter. You won’t go wrong with it.

[Rewarded Review] Good toaster, but our dog hates it!

This is a really nice toaster, works really well and toasts evenly. However, the noise it emits when it pops up causes havoc with our dog. She shakes and whines and runs into the bedroom, where she shakes until we calm her down. We have a refrigerator that had the same sound when the door was open too long, but we could turn that off. But not the toaster. Now my wife sends me outside with the dog until the toast is done. Not so sure how long I will continue to do this just to keep the toaster……

[Rewarded Review] It works

This purchase replaced our old toaster that was the same exact model. The old one that we used for 10-14 years, had lost it's toast ability on one side. of the toaster reducing it to a one-slice toaster. The new toaster has issues such as toasting too dark while on setting for light toasting and toasting unevenly on the sides of one slice of toast. We can deal with it as other new toasters tried before buying this one were far more problematic. It just seems that we must adhere to a society now that produces subpar products. Still I think....can't any company make a toaster that works properly???.

[Rewarded Review] No PFAS in this toaster!

The best thing about this toaster is that I was assured by Kitchen Aid that it didn't contain any PFAS or Teflon type coatings. When I first plugged it in there was a slight smell of burning off the oils, but it was minimal compared to many other toasters I've tried which would fill the kitchen with an intolerable chemical smell. This, for me, was the most important thing when purchasing a new toaster and so I am very satisfied on that end. The toaster, though, toasts bread unevenly and I have to use it on the lower setting so it doesn't burn the bread. That is ok with me and preferable to having a perfectly-toasted PFAS-covered breakfast.

[Rewarded Review] Solid Build and Sleek Design

After my old toaster gave up at the ripe old age of 25, I decided to try the Kitchen Aid brand, I have many Kitchen Aid appliances and am happy with all of them. This toaster is just a good, heavy stainless paneling for a toaster, heating elements do not become too super bright red, yet toast well and evenly. I have my setting for one side at 2 for light toasting, and at 3 for a medium to dark brown. The settings go up to 6 on the dial so I'm sure it would satisfy those who like their toast extremely dark. The cord is heavy weight and only gets warm to the touch when unplugging, whereas my previous toaster was close to burning hot when unplugging. The cord is a good 2 feet long so you do not have to have the toaster under neath your cabinets while using since that ... MoreAfter my old toaster gave up at the ripe old age of 25, I decided to try the Kitchen Aid brand, I have many Kitchen Aid appliances and am happy with all of them. This toaster is just a good, heavy stainless paneling for a toaster, heating elements do not become too super bright red, yet toast well and evenly. I have my setting for one side at 2 for light toasting, and at 3 for a medium to dark brown. The settings go up to 6 on the dial so I'm sure it would satisfy those who like their toast extremely dark. The cord is heavy weight and only gets warm to the touch when unplugging, whereas my previous toaster was close to burning hot when unplugging. The cord is a good 2 feet long so you do not have to have the toaster under neath your cabinets while using since that could be a fire hazard.The only thing I do not like about the toaster is the slots are not long enough to accept bakery breads or some packaged rye and pumpernickel breads which are wider than most typical breads and you either have to cut them in half or have the one end get curled while toasting.