Lorie's cautionary commentary, "EXPLODING TOASTMASTER (SALTON) TOASTER OVEN - The company doesn't seem to care!"
[www.selectsmart.com]
EXCERPT: "I was just about to turn around and peer into the oven to see if my toast was done when I heard a loud pop behind me. The glass door had exploded into thousands of tiny shards of hot glass; some pieces were blown four feet from the oven; most landed within a couple of feet from the oven. What if one of us had been standing near it, or looking into the oven, or opening the door at the time? Burns and blindness could easily have resulted. I discovered that that the company has known of this danger since at least 2002. ..."
LINKS to this discussion board's achived threads on this topic (you must come back to this active board to reply):
I just spent about half an hour trying to find a Toastmaster website (after the web address they gave me in the User's manual didn't work). Stumbled into this discussion which prompted me to write to the Consumer Products Safety Commission instead. After reading all your posts, it appears I've been lucky to just have burnt toast on the very lowest setting (the one they designate for "poptarts" on my Model 357S Toaster-Oven-Broiler). And here I thought I'd bought a reliable, old-name brand. Loved the cool side feature and the auto shut off. I join Laurie in urging anyone who has a problem with this product to take the time to write the CPSC. It takes many complaints (and usually a death or more) before the government listens !!!!! Here's a copy of what I emailed to the CPSC:
"My recently purchased Toastmaster toaster-oven-broiler overheats on the very lowest toast setting and burns even frozen bread. I've tried to locate a website to contact the manufacturer. The web address in the "Use and Care Guide" provided with the appliance is invalid ( "www.toastmaster.com" takes me to this website instead: [www.esalton.com]). I haven't used the appliance much since it appears I have to watch it closely to keep it from burning my bread, tortillas, etc. So, besides the non-availaabilty of stated service on a new appliance, there's the potential problem of a fire from overheated food. After extensive web searching for the Toastmaster website, I came across a significant number of complaints much more serious than mine which indicate that many people have had their toaster-ovens (same model and similar) actually explode. Since only a few people would bother to actually write to you regarding this problem, I'm sure there are many more who have experienced it without writing (similar to each letter to a Congressional representative representing the feelings of at least 9 others in his/her district). Please take some action to warn people of this serious safety hazard. It shouldn't take a death or a lawsuit for some child blinded by flying glass before people hear about the potential danger. One exploding oven might be an aberration; several, and mine overheating on the LOWEST toaster setting is far more than an aberration."
Just popped back for a moment to suggest anyone who has problems with their Toastmaster appliance might want to post a product review on popular websites like: Amazon.com and Epinions.com. You just need to be registered on the website, look up the product by name, click on "write a review" and go for it. That's one way to alert other consumers even though it's not "official". I always check user reviews before buying on line and take them seriously if they seem reasonably presented.
I have been looking for the website also for Toastmaster as I have not had an exploding glass door (thankfully) on my mdl#357 purchased in 2003 at Lowe's in Riverside, CA but am increasingly concerned with the paint peeling issue inside the glass door. The black coating inside toaster oven broiler toaster comes off when you wipe it off with just water. Since I am a long time Lowe's employee I called our Corporate office in North Carolina and alerted our buyers sometime ago and I noticed here in California (to the best of my knowledge)the toaster is no longer sold but I doubt from anything I said. However, I seem to be the only one reporting the issue with the inside of the glass doors black coated paint peeling. It is my belief, that maybe the chemicals used to wipe the glass door (even soap and water), Windex, etc etc mixed with this black chemical coating, when heated, could cause the glass door to explode. I have written to thier consumer relations inquiring on the safety of the paint peeling issue and my health. I have read the manual and it says to clean oven door and exterior with glass cleaner or mild detergent. A chemical reaction to that black paint coating maybe what is causing this incredible safety issue.
in the same boat as the rest of posters here. the toaster oven's broil elements do not work, then the lower elements burn the toast. there is an issue with temperature setting. just absolutely horrible engineering, but this takes the cake. the food tray is not stainless steel. i guess they figured why invest in stainless steel when the toaster oven is going in the trash in the near future. my food tray turns my eggplants green. it turns other foods green also. must be a reaction with the metal. even when you put oil on they tray, it still turns your food green.
but it doesn't turn my toast green. it burns it on one side, and only warms the topside.
will never purchase a toastmaster product again.
Hi There. We live in Canada. And our 357 blew
the glass and the door right off it. Going to
try find out if they have an office up here
and contact them. Dennis
I must say this is quite shocking. I recieved this toaster-oven as a gift a few years ago. A few months later, I went to open the door while it was toasting and POW! The glass shattered. I put it away in a closet expecting to order a new door for it. Today, I found it in that closet and decided to search the net for parts. I typed in the model # and came across this thread. It was the #1 hit on google so anyone investigating this oven is sure to find it.
Hello .. an update: Sent my first oven back after an oven thermometer confirmed the severe overheating (burning frozen bread on the lowest possible "toast" setting; and when I set the oven to 200 degrees, it heated to 375!).
The customer service rep was very nice but said this was an unusual problem ... ????
The second oven arrived and the thermostat seemed ok. But the handle glue had failed (the rep said they "normally" just send out a new handle and have you install it) AND the rack fit so tightly that it took three hands to put it in or take it out (unless you wanted to pull out the liner with it!)
Once again, the representative said this was an unusual problem and offered a replacement. At this point I just want a refund. She said someone would call me the next day ... I'm still waiting. However, the oven got sent back... again.
I am aware that the last post on this topic is from almost nine months ago, but I'm writing regardless on behalf of Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, a law firm in Westfield, New Jersey. Our firm currently represents a client in a product liability case related to an exploding Toastmaster oven. After reading the comments of others who have posted both on this website and on Amazon.com, it is our strong opinion that there is a systematic defect in these toaster ovens.
We are dismayed by Toastmaster's apparent lack of concern for the safety and well-being of their customers, and we encourage anyone with helpful information to contact us. We are particularly interested to hear if anyone has contacted legal counsel regarding this matter, and if so, we would very much like to hear from them. Any assistance you can offer us in holding Toastmaster accountable for their dangerous product would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Matthew Jesuele
Kessler, DiGiovanni & Jesuele, LLP
773 Central Avenue
Westfield, New Jersey 07090
(908) 232-2040
Our toastmaster oven just exploded over the weekend. I have photos and have saved the oven. Please advise if a class action lawsuit is filed or any other action taken. Thank you.
On Jan, 29, 2008 my Toastmaster toaster oven, model #358 exploded the glass door and resulted in hundreds of shattered glass pieces blown out into the kitchen. I was heating it up to 350 to bake a pie crust (which I had to throw out due to the glass on it). I was looking on the internet to find a Toastmaster customer service when I saw SelectSmart.com about many others that have had similar terrifying experiences. It is nothing short of a miracle that I wasn't in front of it or my new puppy or there could have been injuries.
This is definitely a dangereous product and should be recalled. I am writing today to the company with pictures and also the USCP Safety commission to complain about this incident, but I DON"T WANT A REPLACEMENT, just warn others about the DANGER. I am VERY UNHAPPY with Toastmaster's action about past problems. I have used this oven daily for several years with no problems until NOW.
Hello,
I believe that the Toastmaster/Salton are one of the group of companies that really do not care... about anything. My Toastmaster products (two purchase in 2004) have both developed problems due to poor design and construction; some of those problems are dangerous, like the problem described in the exploding glass stories.
Where can I do the most financial damage to this company?
Thank you,
Lee
Count me in as one of the many. If it is set to toast it stays on and will not turn off. It stays on until it smokes and smells like it is going to catch on fire so I have to unplug it. Needless to say it cannot be used unless we stand next to it to keep an eye on it. Has Toastmaster done anything about this problem yet?
Ours is a model 357.
