13 people have reviewed this model.
| About - Back to Basics Egg and Muffin Toaster TEM500 |
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The Back to Basics Egg and Muffin Toaster TEM500 is part of the toaster test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, toaster models like the Egg and Muffin Toaster TEM500 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.
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| Features & Specs - Back to Basics Egg and Muffin Toaster TEM500 | |
|---|---|
Touchpad |
Yes |
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One slot |
No |
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Bagel setting |
No |
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Exterior material |
Plastic |
| More features and specs | |
Consumer Reports User Reviews
Already own it? Write a review
By from
Just like a Summer Love Affair!
1/9/2012
Pros
Versatile
Cons
Breaks after warranty
Doesn't Heat Evenly
Best Uses
Kitchen
Comment:
I owned this toaster for less than a year and thought it was great, then the egg side gave out. While it worked, it worked great, but I used the egg side only maybe a total of 2O times. Of course but the time it broke down, the warranty had expired. It's now utilized as only toaster, a big old toaster which takes up a lot of space for only half of it really works. <br /><br />I also found it never made the toast or English muffin dark, even on the darkest setting and now that seems not be doing the job either. <br /><br />Time to shop for a new toaster. Hopefully the company can come up with a new improved version as I enjoyed this while it lasted, which was a short time, just like a summer love affair, just when you get to fall in love, it's over!
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By from
Should last much longer...
3/31/2011
Pros
Even Heating
Excellent Heating
Good only when new
Cons
Doesn't Heat Evenly
Poor Heat
Short Life
Best Uses
Kitchen
Toast
Comment:
Great idea - we loved this at first..then the egg cooker quit (out of warranty); then the toaster started toasting only one side of the toast; then half of one side.<br />What happened to the appliances that lasted for years? I absolutely do not agree with users that think these appliances are great even though they fail in fairly short life, then just throw it away and keeping buying a new one of the same thing. Let's get back to making quality goods in the US. I'd be willing to pay more for a quality item that lasted longer than 10 years (remember the old toasters of the 50s and 60s? Many still work!)
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By from
Broke in less than 2 months
1/21/2011
Pros
Easy To Clean
Versatile
Cons
Breaks
Best Uses
Kitchen
Comment:
Loved it while it worked (less than 2 months) I had read reviews saying that it broke, but I figured those people were few and far between. I returned mine when the egg cooker broke unexpectedly within 2 months time. Also it did a very BAD job on English muffins. Had to run them through 2 times to get them to cook. It was an experiment each time to get them right. Then I bought the 4 slice/2 egg model Chefscape model(differerent name, same manufacturer) and right off the bat it wouldn't cook eggs. Would NOT recommend.
How long have you owned it:
One-to-three months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Other User Reviews
By
User has 2 Months of experience with this product
Very handy!
12/31/2008
Strength
Performs well - Cooks egg, toasts bread, muffins or bagels and warms meat either all at the same time or separately; Easy to use
Weakness
Some types of bread (e.g. sourdough) need to be put down twice in the toaster to toast darker. Also, the coating on the egg poaching pan is peeling. Replacements pans are out of stock as of 12/31/08
This little gadget is so handy, especially for smaller families or those that eat at different times. (Though when my family visited, they all thought it was so fun to use, they cooked 8 consecutive egg mcmuffin sandwiches in it instead of using the stove!) It's very easy to use. The functions (toast or egg cooker)can be used individually or at the same time. I tried putting thin slices of cheese on top of the egg before cooking, and it worked great. You can also warm any pre-cooked meat at the same time in the warming tray above the egg cooker. (Ham or precooked bacon work great.) It keeps the toast (or english muffin) warm until the egg is finished, so everything is done at the same time. Very neat innovation! Unfortunately, someone used a metal utensil to loosen the egg and the egg cooking pan nonstick coating started to peel. A replacement egg cooking pan is out of stock the last time I looked online. One person suggested using foil inside the egg cooking pan if the coating peels, which I will try. All in all, this is an innovative idea that works well! We've been using it for approximately 2 months and have found it to be extremely convenient.
Source: Price Grabber
By
User has of experience with this product
GREAT IDEA
10/14/2008
Strength
WORKED WELL THE TWO OR THREE TIMES I USED IT
Weakness
SHORT LIFE
IT WORKED WELL. I USED IT MORE FOR TOAST. I HAD USED IT FOR EGGS AND TOAST AND MEAT BEFORE. SUNDAT I USED IT TOAST WAS DONE BUT THE EGG PART DID NOT WORK SO I HAD A COLD EGG FROZEN SAUSAGE AND WARM TOAST. NOT A GOOD BREAKFAST
Source: Price Grabber
By
User has 2 Days of experience with this product
Works great while it lasts - I'm on my fourth one already
09/15/2008
Strength
Works great, makes perfect eggs and toast
Weakness
It breaks about twice a year
I bought this toaster about 2 and a half years ago. The first time it broke, it still cooked eggs, but it stopped toasting bread. So to avoid the hassle of a warranty where I have to mail it back in and wait (and you have to register it when you buy it and I didnt), I just went and bought another. About 6 months later, the egg cooker stopped working. I like the toaster so much, I went and bought a third. And guess what? the egg maker broke yet again. So, I'm on my way to buy a fourth. It's obvisouly great and convinient enough that I have bought 3 of them and am about to buy one more. But what is wrong with this toaster that it can't last one year??I clean it every time and take good care of it. Yet no dice I think Back to Basics owes me a free one already.This time when I buy one, I will register it so that I can use the warranty. For $120 I probably could have bought one awesome toaster. Conclusion: Buy it, register for your 1 year warranty, and take advantage of it when it breaks so you don't end up buying 4 of them like me.
Source: Price Grabber
