toaster

Toasters often get overlooked in the kitchen. Counter space, being the limited creature that it is, has room for only so many appliances. While this may bode well for strong multitaskers like toaster ovens, regular toasters often get left out in the cold. (Or at least left in the back of the cupboard.)

The KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster ($299) aims to elevate the once-grand appliance back out from under the counter. Sensing that there is only one direction to go but up, the toaster rises to new heights by incorporating a motorized lifting mechanism. Not afraid to dunk below the … Read more

A toaster oven is one of those devices in the kitchen that are seemingly useful for everything. In fact, it gets pressed into service so often that we can practically use them blindfolded. (Do not use your kitchen appliances blindfolded.) It may be easy to forget how versatile a toaster oven can be, so that means a cheat sheet can help.

With icons to guide users through common tasks, the Panasonic NB-G110P Flash Xpress Toaster Oven ($127) makes the countertop appliance even easier to use. The preset functions are divided into two intuitive sections, one labeled "bread" and … Read more

Instagram created a social-media uproar last night when it changed its terms of service to state that it could license user photos for display by advertisers without consent and without compensation. Granted, Instagram isn't the first social-networking service to claim the right to use uploaded content, but the broad language with phrases like "without any compensation to you" spurred a quick and vocal backlash. And rightly so.

Fortunately, it took less than a day before Instagram began to realize its mistake. As rivals began to pounce on its fumble and users threatened to leave, CEO Kevin Systrom … Read more

The original PhotoToaster ($1.99) was already a favorite among photo app users, and I've had a chance to check out a demo of PhotoToaster 3.0, which adds several new features to make the app an even stronger image editor.

New lighting adjustments and presets Several new one-touch presets have been added in the latest version including Clarify, Amplify, Bleach Bypass, Sketch, Dynamic HDR, and Dramatic. Each of the new effects I tried in my testing added even more options for playing with your images, and -- like the original -- you have the option to use sliders … Read more

Kitchens are full of precise measurements--and quite a few that are not.

Cooking has evolved to the point where the creation of delicate dishes has become commonplace. Knowledge is freely available, and all that is required is a little time, patience, and the correct equipment. Yet still, cooking ultimately comes down to the simple equation of food plus fire equals good. And contrary to popular belief, we have still not yet tamed fire.

The inaccuracy that is intrinsic to everyday cooking is no cause for alarm. At least when it comes to toast. The Breville Premium Plastic Toaster combines old-school … Read more

Ah, the toaster: the ubiquitous appliance that has been found in varies guises on kitchen countertops for generations. Styles may have changed through the years, but the basic idea has always been the same and that is to make bread more delicious by browning it. That includes the ones that toast differently.

There a few things we have come to expect out of toasters and one of those things is a lever to lift the finished product out of the appliance. Sure, there are toasters galore with motorized lifts, but usually when it comes right down to it, we can … Read more

The area on the kitchen counter traditionally reserved for the toaster no longer has that reservation as it has been deservedly overtaken by more-productive toaster ovens. This is to be expected as heating up a slice of pizza in an upright toaster is clearly not a good idea. What is a good idea, though, is using the same area on the counter to cook rotisserie chicken.

Of course, trying to cook rotisserie chicken in a regular toaster oven isn't a very good idea either, but luckily there is a solution. The Wolfgang Puck Dual Convection Oven with Rotisserie & Baking Drawer … Read more

The soft sound of bread toasting is a welcome addition to any morning.

The crackles and pings of metal heating up and stretching to greet the day are a comforting way to shake off the cold sleep of night. The sounds mean that the smell of slathered butter and cinnamon will soon greet the air, offering a perfect complement to the slowly brewing coffee. And then the toaster pops up the finished toast with a pang loud enough to raise, if not the dead, at least the rest of the household.

Consider a re-imagining of the morning scene, complete with … Read more

Now that people have had some time with their iPhone 4S, I'm sure many have had plenty of time to take pictures using the upgraded 8-megapixel camera. On it's own, the iPhone 4S takes great shots, but what if you want something more?

This week's iOS app collection is all about adding effects to your images. The first lets you flip through numerous effects and stack them for amazing results. The second offers tons of premade effects, but also gives you the option to adjust everything to your liking. The third app lets you play with the focused area of your image to produce visually unique images.… Read more