Krups FEM2B 2-Slice Toaster, Black & Silver
by Krups North America Inc.
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Krups North America Inc.Brand: Krups
Model: FEM2B
Color: Black & Chrome
Product features:
- High-speed 1050-watt 2-slice toaster with versatile functions
- Extra-wide slots with automatic centering and 3-position raising lever
- 8 browning levels; bagel function; defrost option; cancel button
- Cool-touch housing; metal control panel; removable warming rack
- 7-1/2 by 11 by 8 inches; 1-year warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Krups FEM2B 2-Slice Toaster, Black & Silver
Customer Review: Krups vs. Breville
Summary: 4 Stars
After some research, I narrowed my choices to the FEM2W (White), the Breville Ikon, and the small $30 Cuisinart CPT-120. Went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to see what they looked like. They only had the Cuisinart. Ordered the Breville and the Krups. Returned the Breville, kept the Krups. The Cuisinart looked nice, but I thought the Krups looked better, and I liked its features. The Breville was not bad. I didn't like it because:
1. It was difficult to set the browning control to the right level, and there was no way to return to that same setting later if I strayed. The Krups knob has 22 clicks, every third of which is labeled with a number.
The Breville did not click. True, it has a nice digital display, but I did not find it practical.
2. The crumb tray is on the left, the browning control is on the front, and the push-down handle is on the right. The Krups has everything on the same side. I also preferred the Krups position on the counter.
3. It was not nearly as attractive as the Krups.
Both toasters toasted pretty well. 6 on the Krups was about the same as 4 on the Breville, a nice light brown. The Breville was slightly darker at these settings. (I used standard size whole-wheat.) Both had the same problem of not browning the bottom third, but they did well when I put the bread in upside-down. I suspect this has something to do with the moisture content of bread kept in the refrigerator.
If you like English muffins, you might prefer the Breville.
When you take the Krups out of the box, you have to run it twice at the highest setting with no bread in it. This is to burn off the factory coating. Directions say to ventilate the house. This is definitely a good idea. Open a window and turn on an exhaust fan. It stinks!
I suspect those who had problems with streaking and sticking failed to do this.
The burn-off was not necessary with the Breville.
With both toasters, browning was not 100% consistent. I think this is because they are wide-slot toasters. Even though they have the holders in the slots, they only hold the toast at the top. The bottom of the slice does not get pushed to the center.
My 25-year-old eight-dollar Proctor-Silex was more consistent and more even, but it did not have wide slots.
Both toasters cost $60. If you find a cheaper one, it is probably reconditioned.
I agree, $60 is too much for a toaster. If you don't want to spend this much, look at the $30 Cuisinart. It has a good review in Consumer Reports. (The $15 Proctor-Silex has had some problems.)
All in all, I think the Krups is very satisfactory. I really like the way it looks on my counter, and I like how it works. I recommend it.
October 2, 2007: Krups toaster still works as well as it did the first day; no changes; no problems. I have yet to try a bagel or an english muffin. I keep it set on 5 plus one click. This is a little on the light side. When I go up one click, toast is substantially browner but
consistency varies more (according to brand and age of bread). Moisture and density of bread appear to be factors. I continue to put the bread in upside-down for best results.
Description of Krups FEM2B 2-Slice Toaster, Black & Silver
Krups FEM2B ToastExpert 2 slice Toaster, Black & Chrome. This Krups toaster has metal front panel, bagel function, defrost function, cancel button, cool walls, large slots, extra large dishwasher safe crumb trayOutfitted for a wide range of toasting preferences, this Krups two-slice toaster is versatile and easy to control. At 1050 watts, it is also a powerful countertop machine, so operation is quick and efficient, whether you are toasting a round of blueberry bagels or warming a croissant. The toaster features two extra-wide slots with a three-level position lever that simplifies toast removal. Eight dial-controlled browning settings range from very light to very dark, while a defrost function thaws bread before crisping it. The handy bagel function toasts only the cut side of the bagel while gently warming the crust, and a nonstick removable warming rack on top handles muffins and pastries. A cancel button interrupts any function immediately.
Sturdy and practical in design, the toaster features cool-touch housing to protect hands. The crumb tray and warming rack are both dishwasher-safe, and the helpfully mounted control panel is made of metal. Though no slim model, the unit easily earns its counter space with its broad applications. It measures 7-1/2 by 11 by 8 inches and carries a one-year warranty. --Emily Bedard
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