I used to face a daily breakfast dilemma: my love for artisan sourdough and hearty bagels clashed with my standard, narrow-slot toaster. I’d have to trim beautiful slices or watch them toast unevenly, with pale centers and burnt edges. This morning ritual became a source of minor frustration. It was clear I needed a better solution to enjoy my favorite breads the way they were meant to be, perfectly toasted from crust to crust.
A long slot toaster is designed to solve the common problem of fitting unconventional bread shapes and sizes. If you’re tired of squishing bagels or cutting sourdough slices in half, this category of appliance is for you. The ideal customer is a bread enthusiast—someone who enjoys everything from thick-cut Texas toast and artisan loaves to English muffins and pastries. It’s also perfect for those with limited counter space, as many models feature a slim, space-saving profile. However, if you exclusively eat standard, pre-sliced sandwich bread and have ample kitchen space, a conventional 2- or 4-slice toaster might suffice and could be more economical.
Before you buy, think about these key factors:
* Slot Dimensions: How long and wide are the slots? Ensure they can accommodate the thickest bagels and longest slices of bread you typically buy.
* Browning Settings: Look for a wide range of settings to achieve your perfect shade, from lightly warmed to dark and crispy.
* Special Functions: Features like ‘Bagel’ (toasts one side more than the other), ‘Defrost’ (for frozen items), and ‘Cancel’ are essential for versatility and control.
* Footprint and Design: Consider how much counter space it will occupy. A slim design can be a significant advantage in a smaller kitchen.
* Ease of Cleaning: A removable crumb tray is a must-have for simple, mess-free maintenance.
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- EXTRA-LONG, EXTRA-WIDE SLOT FITS 1 OR 2 SLICES OF BREAD: The extra-long, extra-wide 10" slot with self-centering bread guides evenly...
Introducing the Hamilton Beach 22989
The Hamilton Beach Extra Wide Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster (22989) is a sleek and modern appliance that promises to end your toast-related frustrations. It features one extra-long, 10-inch slot designed to evenly toast two standard slices of bread, one long slice of artisan bread, or a split bagel. It’s specifically for the home cook who values both versatility and counter space. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty, commercial-grade appliance, this might feel a bit lightweight. However, for everyday home use, its functionality is hard to beat. When you purchase it, you get the toaster unit and a convenient slide-out crumb tray.
* Pros:
* Slim, space-saving design fits narrow countertops.
* Extra-long, wide slot accommodates various bread types.
* Dedicated bagel function for perfect results.
* Toast Boost feature makes retrieving small items easy.
* 7 browning shades for customized toasting.
* Cons:
* Browning can be uneven on higher settings for some users.
* The build feels somewhat lightweight and plastic-heavy.
* The stainless steel accent strip can be prone to smudges.
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- 2-slice toaster for toasting 1 or 2 slices of bread at a time
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
Modern, Slim Design: Maximizing Counter Space
One of the first things that struck me about the Hamilton Beach Extra Wide Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster was its impressively slim profile. In my kitchen, counter space is a precious commodity, and bulky appliances are a constant source of clutter. Measuring just 4.6 inches wide, this toaster slides neatly into narrow spaces, either against a wall or between other appliances, freeing up valuable prep area. This is a game-changer compared to traditional blocky 2-slice or 4-slice toasters that demand a significant footprint. The design isn’t just practical; it’s also aesthetically pleasing. The matte black finish is modern and resists fingerprints, while the sleek lines blend seamlessly into almost any kitchen decor. The thoughtful inclusion of premium cord storage underneath the unit means you can tuck away any excess cord, maintaining a tidy and organized look. For me, this design philosophy shows that an appliance can be both highly functional and unobtrusive.
The Star of the Show: The Extra-Long, Extra-Wide Slot
The core feature, and the primary reason I was drawn to this toaster, is its single 10-inch long, extra-wide slot. This single feature has completely transformed my breakfast routine. No longer do I have to perform surgery on a beautiful slice of sourdough just to make it fit. Long slices from rustic loaves slide in perfectly, without any need for trimming. This also means I can toast two regular slices of sandwich bread side-by-side, and they get toasted evenly thanks to the self-centering bread guides. These guides are crucial; they gently grip the bread, no matter its thickness, and hold it in the perfect position relative to the heating elements. The result is consistent, edge-to-edge browning, eliminating the dreaded untoasted top half that plagued my old toaster. The width is equally generous, easily handling thick-cut bagels and Texas toast without any squishing. This versatility means I can toast virtually any bread product in my pantry with confidence.
Perfecting the Craft: Browning Control and Specialized Functions
Having precise control over the final product is key, and the Hamilton Beach 22989 delivers with a simple yet effective control scheme. The browning control knob offers seven distinct shades. After some initial experimentation, I found my sweet spot. A word of caution based on my experience and what others have said: this toaster runs a bit hot. I recommend starting at a lower setting, like 2 or 3, especially for standard sliced bread, and working your way up. Setting 3 gives me a perfect golden-brown on most breads.
The dedicated Bagel button is a fantastic feature. When pressed, it adjusts the heating elements to toast the cut side of the bagel to a crispy brown while only gently warming the rounded outer crust. This is the proper way to toast a bagel, and this machine does it flawlessly every time. The button illuminates when active, so you always know it’s engaged. Additionally, the Cancel button provides an essential safety net, allowing you to pop the toast up at any moment if you feel it’s browning too quickly.
Convenience and Safety: The Toast Boost Feature
One of my biggest pet peeves with past toasters was the dangerous game of fishing out smaller items like English muffins or gluten-free bread slices. I’d often resort to using tongs or a fork, risking a shock or damage to the heating elements. The Toast Boost feature on this long slot toaster elegantly solves this problem. After the toasting cycle is complete, you can simply lift the lever up an extra inch. This raises the toasted item well above the hot slot, making it incredibly easy and safe to retrieve without burning your fingertips. It’s a small detail, but it’s one of those quality-of-life improvements that I now can’t imagine living without. It demonstrates a thoughtful design process focused on the user’s everyday experience. The auto-shutoff feature also provides peace of mind, ensuring the toaster turns off automatically after each cycle.
Simple Maintenance: The Slide-Out Crumb Tray
Keeping a toaster clean is vital for both performance and safety. An accumulation of crumbs can become a fire hazard and cause unpleasant, burnt smells. The Hamilton Beach toaster makes this chore effortless with its slide-out crumb tray. The tray is located at the bottom of the unit and pulls out smoothly from the front. I make it a habit to empty it once a week. I just slide it out, dump the crumbs into the trash, give it a quick wipe, and slide it back in. It takes less than 30 seconds and keeps the toaster running cleanly and safely. This simple, well-executed feature ensures that maintaining the appliance is never a burden.
What Other Users Are Saying
I took some time to scan the internet to see if my experience was unique, and I found a lot of similar feedback. Many users rave about the slim, space-saving design, calling it perfect for kitchens with limited counter space. The ability to toast long slices of artisan bread without cutting them is, by far, the most celebrated feature. However, some reviews did echo my initial finding that the browning settings can run hot, with a few people reporting burnt toast even on low settings. It seems finding the right setting for your favorite bread is key.
The Final Verdict
The daily challenge of toasting non-standard bread is a small but persistent annoyance that the right appliance can completely eliminate. The Hamilton Beach Extra Wide Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster is an excellent solution. Its brilliant space-saving design and incredibly versatile extra-long slot make it a standout choice for anyone who loves variety in their bread. For its combination of smart features and modern aesthetics, this toaster offers fantastic value. Click here to check the price and see more details.
Last update on 2025-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API