Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
by Back to Basics
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List Price: Our Price: $21.99 You Save: $31.00 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
Customer Review: Breakfast Nirvana
Summary: 5 Stars
Back to Basics TEM500 Egg-and-Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
Although I like a hearty breakfast, what's equally important is easy and quiet. I slip into my mornings, meditating my way to beginning the day. I can do the hard stuff later on, but in the morning, fail-proof breakfast options are what's needed.. And with this delight toaster-poacher, I have them.
Also, being fond of quiet mornings, the ease of use of this product does not disrupt my morning ritual, which is to think, and just be...if only for a little while. I slip into the garden and quietly snip mint from its leaves. Then I heat the teapot. When that's done I pour the water back into the pot to boil. Then I place the mint leaves in the bottom of the teapot, add honey on top of them (to protect the leaves from the shock of the boiling water zooming past the loose tea leaves in their container).
But its the knowledge that while I'm happily fussing over my little morning rituals, (including heating my tea cup while the tea steeps)... my accompanying hearty breakfast comes from this wonderful gizmo doing the heavy lifting. So I'm free to meditate or fuss over exactly how much honey to put in the pot on top of however many mint leaves and not think at *all* about my hearty Egg McMuffin breakfast the toaster-poacher is making just for me, Queen of the Morning, if just for a little while, every morning.
Although there have already been a number of terrific reviews essentially saying: "works great, I love it" none have mentioned the added benefit of attending to a pleasant morning ritual, secure in the knowledge one is going to enjoy a wonderful cup of tea on fine bone china, accompanied by an American breakfast invention at its finest.
This is a marvelous way to begin the day. Cheers!
Customer Review: A MUST-HAVE!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this contraption thinking, "Hmmmm, if this works, it could rock my world. If not, what's [...] bucks for yet another kitchen gadget that didn't deliver on its promise?" It didn't take me many mornings at McD's buying McMuffins before I realized this gamble could save a ton of moolah.
I was MORE than pleasantly surprised and could not believe how well this little guy performed out of the box! My family all crowded around as it cooked, jaws-dropped in excitement--talk about "set it and forget it"!!
It's really great for people who are rushed to get to work/school in the morning, and has been this working mom's dream! My son and I can cook our breakfast while we get ready, then have a piping hot and fresh breakfast sandwich waiting for us as we scurry out the door. His favorite combination is egg/ham/swiss, and my combo of egg/bacon/pesto is to die for!
Only one issue: the egg cup SAYS it's non-stick, but really isn't. No biggie: we just give it a shot of Pam before cracking the egg into the pan, and life is good.
Clean-up is a snap. All the water cooks out as it poaches your egg, the bacon is already pre-cooked, so it leaves no greasy mess. All you have to do is swab the egg pan with a paper towel to remove any residue and you're good to go for the next batch.
I'm giving this to my parents and in-laws this Christmas. My in-laws work, and my mom is currently caring for her mother. I think this will be a great way to save them time, too.
My only complaint is that I didn't order the two-sandwich model. Not knowing how reliable this machine would be, I was hesitant to pay twice as much for something, not knowing what the quality would be like or how much it would be used. If you're wavering, upgrade to the two-sandwich model--you'll be glad you did!!
And, OH, the [...] we're saving on McMuffin's!
Customer Review: Mine Mine Mine!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I debated and debated over whether or not I should get this happy invention. A toaster oven is so much more practical, I thought. When my toaster oven broke down, I told myself already have a very nice european toaster, this is a frivolous purchase . But then i saw it for about $12 (new) at Sears.com. With tax and shipping and extended warranty it was still under $20. I debated, should I buy two for $30? Nah, what if it sucks? I barely justified this purchase by saying that I could always give it to a buddy or share it with the office if I don't use it enough.
Now that I've got it, I am kicking myself that I didn't buy more because it works wonderfully. I call it my magic toaster. I brag about it. I use it several times a week. I love it and it isn't going anywhere. It is mine mine mine.
The fact that it can "boil" eggs is so fabulous. So much easier than watching a pot and scrubbing it out afterwards.
Tips and comments:
1. Soft boils beautifully. After hard boiling if you take it out right away, the yolks may still be a bit soft. For truly hard boiled, leave it in the steamer a few minutes longer. Don't add extra water because it will boil over.
2. Turn the steamy vent away from your cabinets to prevent moisture damage. Consider doing a facial as you wait - just kidding!
3. Be very careful when removing lid from egg when finished. It can get very hot and the temperature of steam is higher than that of boiling water.
4. Used distilled water in the well. Regular Crystal Geyser drinking water still results in residue.
5. Don't use soap on the egg poacher pan. I coat mine with a touch of butter before using. When I am done, I rinse the inside out with hot water and gently wash the outside with dish soap. Eggs still slide out.
6. Enjoy!
Customer Review: Works great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this item for a little over a month. I've used it probably 12 times. It works excellent!
Although, I did read many other reviews and I learned how easily the non-stick surface can wear off. So, to prevent this, I only use very soft utensils on it. Like a cheap, wooden chop stick that I got from the Chinese Restaurant which can easily stir up 1 egg. Plastic forks or spoons can be abrasive so I don't use them. So far, I haven't had one scratch on it. -knock on wood-
I put standard bread in it and English Muffins and it comes out perfect every time. I don't recommend using the meat tray because it's not quite as easy to clean. I also highly recommend you buy yourself a gallon of distilled water (50 cents). This will prevent the mineral deposits from building up on the stainless steel heating element. They're not easy to get off once they're on there.
Get out the bread, the butter, the jelly, crack the egg, mix the egg, pour water into the tray, push "egg & toast" and push the toast lever down. Then put your meat in the microwave (because it's much easier to clean), come back in 5 minutes and put it all together and eat it.
Clean up is easy, just rinse out the mini skillet .DON'T wipe it with anything abrasive. That includes towels, paper towels, etc. I let mine air dry). Plus there is a tray in the bottom that comes out to make cleaning the bread crumbs out pretty easy.
I honestly believe that I can now make a better Egg McMuffin then McDonalds can. I love this thing and I'm glad I took the chance on it.
If you're looking to feed more people be sure to look around for the double capacity one. It holds 4 slices of bread and 2 eggs and 2 meats. I should have bought that one instead.
Customer Review: Amazing time and money saving device!
Summary: 5 Stars
I inherited a four slice toaster that only worked with two slices, so I opted to upgrade to something fully functional and with a smaller footprint. I chose the Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin toaster as my replacement.
The Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin 2 slice toaster is a great little breakfast tool. Within four or five minutes I have a nice egg-McMuffin knockoff without the inconvenience of driving to a fast food joint and without the expense. What I would pay for one breakfast sandwich eating out comes close to the cost of six English muffins and a dozen eggs, add a couple bucks more if you want to add cheese. You're looking at maybe $7.50 for six days worth of breakfast sandwiches.
Cleanup is also a breeze. Rinse the steamer lid, dry a couple extra parts, wipe the excess water out of the steaming tray, and then sponge off the egg pan. In less than five minutes you're ready to make tomorrow morning's breakfast. :)
I haven't tried the meat heating attachment as I don't use pre-cooked breakfast meats.
My only complaints are:
- Regular bread is a bit too tall for the toast slots. So about a quarter inch of bread isn't fully toasted. Kind of an odd design oversight.
- The setting for how browned you like your toast, at least on my unit, is very light in most cases. I have to slide the browning dial over almost all of the way to lightly brown an English muffin.
The toaster has a full year warranty, so if anything breaks down you'll be covered for at least the first year.
Even if this toaster were to break down after the first year, I'd gladly buy another. It's almost the next best thing to sliced bread.