Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
Customer Review: Toaster Tips and Pics
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this toaster a week ago based on the excellent customer reviews. Before it arrives, make sure you have plenty of English muffins, eggs, ham, and cheese on hand because of course, everyone will want to try it. What is somewhat surprising, after a week of real (and very busy) life, everyone in my family is still using it.
To really make it efficient, I buy 99% lean ham and a couple types of cheese, pre-slice a supply of each, and keep in the fridge in zip-lock bags. With this already done, you can literally make a breakfast sandwich that is superior to the fast food ones in under 5 minutes while you're doing other things. Plus they can be much healthier than the fasties, which I don't eat because they're too greasy.
If this wasn't easy to clean, I wouldn't keep it in the house. It's simple. I just give the egg-cooking parts a quick rinse while I'm waiting for my cheese to melt, and voila, it's ready to go again. Looks-wise, it fits in nicely with my stainless steel appliances.
I'm posting a few pictures so you can see more of what it looks like.
I went out on a limb and bought these toasters for my sister's family and my dad at the same time I bought mine. I worried a bit - would this be a tacky gift? No way! Now I'm really glad I got these little whiz-machines for them too - I know they'll like them just as much as we do.
Customer Review: nice product, teflon on pan doesn't last all that long
Summary: 4 Stars
It works (someone complained about water on the eggs. They are poached eggs. Poached eggs are wet unless you do something to dry them off.) Every other morning, I poach two medium eggs (it's supposed to work with one egg, two large eggs sort of work, two jumbo is looking for a mess, two medium works well), and toast two pieces of bread. The toaster part is a little slow, I wish it would adjust just a little darker, honestly it's fine. After a few trials, you can get the eggs cooked exactly the way you want them every single time (don't let them sit in the machine after they are done though, they will keep cooking).
I haven't had the problem with eggs sticking the other reviewer had. I spray a little oil and smear it around with a finger to get 100% coverage. When the eggs are done, I put a piece of bread over the egg pan, turn it upsidedown, give it a little tap and viola.
I have one problem. After 3 months, which is about 45 uses, the nonstick coating is coming off the pan. I've been super gentle cleaning the pan. I'm kind of wondering where the coating is going (yum), and I'm wondering what I want to do. I don't want to buy one of these every 3 months. I might take the rest of the coating off with a scotch-brite and see how that goes. I would happily have paid $5 more for non-stick which lasts. I have lots of nonstick pans with no problems after years.
Customer Review: Fantastic kitchen appliance
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably one of the most innovative kitchen appliances I have owned other than a microwave.
My top reasons for getting this product
1) Time - You can make an egg mcmuffin or egg sandwich in a matter of 5 minutes without any mess whatsoever. That's the thing, you want to be able to make something quick without making a mess so you can get to work.
2) Ease of Use - You can simply crack an egg open into the container and put your toast in and your done.
The other thing that's really nice is there is a little container that you put your water in that measures it out perfectly and at the bottom of it is a little tiny point that when you boil eggs (either with this toaster or on your stove) you just poke the egg and the shell shatters practically and it takes 10 seconds to peel an egg. I love that feature and actually just noticed it recently.
This is my 2nd one, my other one died a year ago or so but I think I used it so much it failed but I had no second thoughts on getting a new one.
There is also a meat tray but I don't like using that cause the grease from the sausage can drip onto your egg. I suppose you could use ham and be fine with that.
I most definitely recommend this product and if you don't have one I would get one soon to make life a bit easier.
Customer Review: A whole new level of "toaster"
Summary: 5 Stars
This toaster is a dream-come-true for me. My old toaster was a standard "just bread" model and I ended up getting rid of it when I recently moved. When I read about newer toasters with modes for cooking eggs and heating up meat while toasting the bread, I was thrilled! I'm the kind of guy who eats at least one or two egg sandwiches a day and I'm always looking for easier ways to prepare them.
I've had the product for about a month now and it is still going strong. I really like having my eggs cooked the same way every time due to the automated system and the inclusion of the water measuring cup. I haven't had any issues with the non-stick surface of the pan, but this may be because I use cooking spray on it each time.
One negative is that the metal tray that holds the water seems to accumulate mineral deposits and other unsightly stains over time. Some of these marks became visible within the first few uses. They don't seem to have any impact on the actual functionality of the product (and they're out of sight when the other trays are in place) so it's not a big deal to me.
Also, I've noticed the synchronization of the toasting and the egg cooking could use some fine-tuning. The bread seems to finish toasting before the eggs are done, so the toast ends up only warm instead of hot when the unit completes the job.
Customer Review: Good egg cooker, crappy toaster
Summary: 3 Stars
I based my purchased of this toaster primarily on the good reviews here on Amazon and its popularity here. It seems as though that was a mistake. I never had any intention of buying anything other than an ordinary toaster but when I came across this model with its egg poaching ability I was intrigued.
To make a long story short the egg poaching ability is the only thing this machine does well. The egg comes out very similar to an egg McMuffin from McDonalds (if that is a good thing.) It's simple enough to make well after a few uses. The cleanup isn't that difficult either which is a plus.
Here is the big problem with this machine. It is a terrible toaster. I just made some frozen waffles in there and put it on the highest setting. The waffles were in there for quite a while so I thought by the time they would pop up them would be nice and crispy. Nope. The came out barely hot and only mildly browned. The waffles weren't even that frozen which made me even more mad.
Overall, I can't say that I recommend this toaster. The egg poaching is pretty cool (it can make 4 boiled eggs at one time as well but I haven't tried that yet) but the fact that this machine can't competently complete it's main action, that being TOASTING, it's just one frustrating appliance. Maybe I just got a defective unit?