The first thought that most of us have is that the numbers on a toaster dial refer to minutes, or the amount of time your bread is in the toaster heating up before it springs up. Though this is ...

Some eager product designers have replaced the toaster’s familiar buttons, levers, and dials with screens and automated software. The results are rather stale.

And trust me: The toaster you use does make a difference. (I’ve been stuck with plenty of dinky toasters in apartments past.) The market is full of options that, beyond aesthetics and the number ...