Decoding Your Toaster: What Those Numbers Actually Stand For

I love a freshly toasted piece of rye bread with peanut butter and banana for breakfast. My toaster is a compact, quick-working kitchen appliance that’s easy to use, so I don’t give much thought to the dials. But if I just turn the dial up full and wait for the slices to pop up all done, I invariably fall foul of a common appliance mistake, with toast that comes out black and inedible. So, what do the numbers on toasters really mean, and why is it worth familiarising ourselves with their function?

I spoke to a toaster expert to learn how to best use those numbers to achieve a perfectly browned piece of bread.

What Do the Numbers On Toasters Stand For?

The primary purpose of the numbers on toasters is to help you achieve that perfect crunch, color, and butter-melting heat. However, toaster expert Heather Quinlan explains that the numbers represent different things depending on who makes your appliance, the model, and the type of toaster.

While it pays to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, considering the factors below can help you use the numbers on your toaster to best effect.

Length of toasting time

Quinlan says that the numbers on toasters typically run on a scale of 1 to 7. She explains that selecting one of these numbers controls a simple timer mechanism, allowing you to decide how long to toast your bread.

While you usually adjust the numbers with a manual dial or slide button, some modern models allow you to adjust the numbers displayed on a digital screen by pressing plus or minus buttons.

For 4-slice toasters, you will often see two buttons with the 1 to 7 range, which allows you to set the timer for just two slices or all fourthis is especially handy if you have fussy kids who like their slices browned to different shades.

Level of toast darkness

Quinlan explains that the numbers typically represent a scale of desired darkness achieved by varying the roast time. “Different brands may have different times allotted between the numbers, but the goal is that 1 is the lightest and 7 is the darkest,” she says.

“The engineers at Hamilton Beach spend hours testing bread in our toasters to ensure we achieve a gradient of toast shades from light to dark,” Quinlan says. They aim to produce an even toast shade across the entire piece of bread and consistent shading on the front and back.

Toaster power

While the numbers on toasters range from 1 to 7 most of the time, you might see some models with more or less numbers on the dial. Quinlan explains this often relates to the appliance’s overall wattage. “A toaster with a lower wattage will more than likely have a lower number count on their shade selector than a toaster with higher wattage,” she says.

A higher-wattage toaster will generally toast bread more quicklyand often more consistentlythan a lower-wattage model.

What Do the Other Buttons on a Toaster Do?

One slice function

“When toasting two slices of bread, the heat is equally absorbed between the two, resulting in two slices of evenly toasted bread,” Quinlan says. “If you only want one piece, one side can become darker than the other since it’s absorbing the heat that’s generated by the empty slot.”

Some toaster models have a “One Slice” button to achieve even toasting for a single slice of bread. On some models, this may simply be labeled with the number 1.

Additional buttons

Sometimes, these small space appliances have other buttons alongside the dial. These are often marked with descriptive words or letters, but some may have numbers on them. This is when checking the manufacturer’s instructions is beneficial.

“Toasters may have function buttons like defrost for frozen items or a bagel button,” Quinlan says. “The bagel button could either extend the toasting time or warm one side of the bagel while toasting the other side.”

Tips for Getting the Perfect Toast

Don’t do what I’ve been doing, and just turn the dial all the way up to 7, regardless of the bread you’re toasting. Various factors impact how you get toast that’s perfect for your personal preference.

• Gradually increase the numbers: “If using a new toaster, test on a lower setting first, then adjust as needed,” Quinlan says. This helps avoid setting off your smoke detectors and having that lingering burnt bread smell wafting around your home.

• Adjust to account for bread type: “Thicker bread, bagels and frozen items usually require higher settings,” Quinlan says. She also explains that older bread toasts faster than fresh bread as it tends to lose moisture over time.

• Account for residual heat: “If toasting multiple rounds, use a slightly lower number on subsequent cycles,” Quinlan suggests.

• Check model instructions: Learn about the different functions of your toaster so you can use number ranges and other button settings to their best advantage.

About the Expert

• Heather Quinlan is the Product Manager overseeing the toaster category at Hamilton Beach; email interview, 31. Jan, 2025.

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