Toasters all use similar internal heating mechanisms, but different models have different features and options. Many models have removable crumb trays built into the toaster, so you can grab your piping hot bagel without getting crumbs all over your kitchen. When your bread has reached the desired toast level you selected, the toaster either turns off automatically with a timer or pops your bread up with a spring-loaded tray. The steady supply of heat from the filaments rapidly cooks your bread. The filaments beam heat toward your bread using infrared radiation. If you’ve ever looked inside your toaster while it’s working and noticed glowing, red hot wires around your slice of bread, those are the filaments doing their job. The electric current moves through a series of slender conducting filaments. Electricity flows from your wall’s outlet through your toaster’s power cord to the inside of the unit. Toasters brown your bread by turning electricity into heat. You might not give much thought to this little appliance, but there’s a lot going on after you hit the “toast” button. The small-but-mighty toaster is responsible for all of these creations. Browned English muffins add crunch to your breakfast, a toasted bagel warms your lunchtime tuna melt and browned buns add a “wow” factor to your burgers. Toasters are a kitchen counter standby that make every meal a little tastier.
