I'm NOT very happy with my DiLonghi -- after 3 years it broke!
Written: Jul 07 '00 (Updated Apr 28 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Works well, looks nice
Cons: After 3 years, the heating rods bent and cracked, sending sparks out
The Bottom Line: The heating elements bent and cracked after 3 years of use and almost started a fire in my kitchen. I would NOT recommend this model or DeLonghi at all.
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| LynnSchneider's Full Review: DeLonghi O 170 Toaster Oven |
UPDATE April 28, 2003
So, it has been 3 years since I bought the DeLonghi Alfredo Ultima toaster oven. At first, I was DeLighted, but now I am DePressed, because my DeLonghi just went to toaster oven heaven. Now tell me, do you expect to pay $100 for a toaster oven and have it die after 3 years? I think not.
Here's what happened. The toaster oven has 4 exposed heating elements -- 2 rods on top, and 2 on bottom. For about a year, one of the bottom rods was curiously bent. I thought maybe I had accidently bent it during cleaning. But NO, now I know what REALLY happened. Because this morning, I was toasting a waffle for my daughter and happened to notice white sparks shooting out of my DeLonghi.
I immediately unplugged it and peeked inside. One of the top rods was bent, bulging, and breaking! It had cracked, and the inside of the element was exposed, causing sparks.
Good thing I was in the kitchen to witness this, because it surely could have set my newly remodeled kitchen on fire.
I bought this unit from the Chef's catalogue. I called Chefs and to my DeLight, they will replace it with a similar-priced unit of my choice from their catalogue. Will I replace it with another DeLonghi? NO NO NO NO!!!!!! This time I'm getting a Krups or a Cuisinart. I've read reviews of the Cuisinart and apparently there is an annoying beep that goes off sporadically. So I have a little more research to do.
For 3 years, this toaster oven performed very nicely. I loved its large roomy interior. In looking for a replacement, I am leaning toward a similar type of model; one that can hold 6 slices of toast. I liked the "keep warm" feature because this oven could hold a dinner plate or a medium sized baking dish easily. Sometimes I even cooked an entree in it.
In conclusion, I am DePorting my DeLonghi. It makes me wonder if ANY small appliances are made to high standards these days.
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Earlier this year, my old tried-and-true workhorse toaster oven finally quit. I'd had my eye on the DiLonghi for di longhest time (pun intended) and was happy to finally own one.
At first it took some getting used to. Instead of a conventional "push down" timer, this has a rotary dial. Getting over that strangeness, I came to really like this toaster oven. I use it more as a toaster than an oven, and it performs well at both functions.
Indeed, it is large enough to cook a 5-lb chicken, but it won't hog your counter-top. It seems to control temperature nicely and so far hasn't burned my toast.
Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
The wrack is adjustable (up or down)
The interior is very easy to clean, much easier than my old toaster oven. The bottom is practically non-stick. Even baked-on cheese lifts right off. The bottom opens downward for easy cleaning.
You can set your broiling on a timer, (set the rotary dial), which is nice for melting cheese without burning it.
It has a "keep warm" setting, and the interior is big enough to accommodate most plates or dishes.
You can bake a half-dozen muffins, a small batch of cookies, or a loaf without heating up the house. Great for meatloaf or small oven items, too.
It is a nice-looking appliance, and it looks good in my kitchen.
Cons:
I wish it had a real-time timer
The exterior gets hot (like most toaster ovens)
The glass door isn't attached to the wrack, so you have to slide it out by yourself -- it doesn't automatically slide out when you open the door.
After toasting one item, if you want to toast again, be sure to place the second toast on a lighter setting. When the oven is already hot, the second toast will cook faster and you could possibly burn it if you're not careful.
I think that this toaster is a good value for the money. It looks nice and performs well. You can order it through Chef's Catalog (a division of Neimen Marcus) for around $99, and they might even have free shipping.
Recommended:
No
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