Manufacturer: Russell Hobbs
What is the Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster?
The Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster is an affordable, two-slot model that's basic – even when compared with similar budget units.
It lacks simple functions, such as a light or other indicator to make you aware that it's toasting. Plus, more importantly, it fails to brown the top 3cm of a slice of bread.
image: http://img.worldinout.com/img/201512/16/110258624.jpg
Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster – Design and Features
The Russell Hobbs' design is simple, classic even. I tested the all-chrome model, but it's also available with coloured side panels – in cream, black or red.
It has two slots, each measuring 15 x 13 x 3cm. A 3cm sourdough doorstep only just fitted in the slots. There's a cable tidy on the underside and a 70cm long cable.
image: http://img.worldinout.com/img/201512/16/110258114.jpg
The controls at the front consist of three buttons. One for defrosting/toasting bread straight from the freezer; another for reheating toast that's gone cold; and a cancel button. The latter means you can lift the lever at the front of the toaster to inspect progress without interrupting it.
There's also a browning control knob that goes from 1 to 6; it clicks as it reaches each level so you can't choose in-between settings.
image: http://img.worldinout.com/img/201512/16/110258714.jpg
Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster – What's it like to use?
In use, the Russell Hobbs seems old-fashioned. Like a toaster your gran's has handed down to you. For example, when you switch it on, there's no light or other visual confirmation that it's toasting. Although this isn't the end of the world – you'll eventually figure out if it isn't plugged in – it's unusual in a modern toaster not to get a bit of hi-tech reassurance.
More problematic are the size of the slots. They're a little small, and as a result you can't fit a standard slice of bread into them horizontally. However, since the slots are 15cm tall, bread will fit in vertically.
image: http://img.worldinout.com/img/201512/16/110258114.jpg
When the toast was ready, though, it transpired that those tall slots don't really do the job: the whole slice of bread may have disappeared out of site, but the top 3cm remained untoasted. Not good.
I did like the fact that I could lift the lever mid-toasting to inspect progress though – it lifts to a good height too, so reaching smaller foodstuffs such as muffins and crumpets isn't a problem.
image: http://img.worldinout.com/img/201512/16/110258104.jpg
Should I buy the Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster?
No. While the Russell Hobbs Legacy Toaster is attractive and affordable, there are better budget toasters out there. Instead, consider the Kenwood TTP210 or theTefal Toast n Egg, both of which are great value. Or if you're happy to spend a little more then the Hotpoint TT44EAX0 is excellent.
Verdict
Classic design – but it's let down by basic features and uneven browning.
