Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Review

The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is one of the most effective and least expensive 4-slice toasters we've come across, making it great for families shopping on a limited kitchen appliance budget.

Bread Toasting

During our bread toasting tests, the medium setting (level 4 out of 6) on the Elite Gourmet produced the best results — a generally golden brown color that most breakfast lovers find acceptable. However, one side of the bread often comes out slightly darker than the other, a common issue with budget toasters that use less sophisticated heating elements.

On the lightest setting, the toaster barely colors the bread, leaving it warm but not particularly crispy. We experimented with using level 2 instead of level 1 to achieve that perfect light golden crispiness, but found the results still fall short of what we'd consider ideal, gentle toasting. The dark setting produced deeply browned toast, though again, with noticeable variations in color across the surface of the bread.

Our biggest concern is the consistency between toasting cycles. When toasting multiple batches back-to-back, we notice slight variations in browning levels even when using the same setting. The first batch typically comes out lighter than subsequent ones as the toaster has some residual heat buildup. This requires some mental adjustment on the user's part to achieve consistent results if you're toasting multiple batches for a big family breakfast.

Bagel Toasting

The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 doesn't have a bagel function, which is a direct result of its budget status. For those unfamiliar with this feature, a bagel setting typically toasts only the cut side of the bagel while gently warming the outer crust, preventing the unfortunate scenario where your bagel's outside gets charred while the inside stays lukewarm.

Without this function, we had to toast bagels with the regular bread setting, which predictably led to mixed results. With this method, the outer crust often becomes too crispy or even slightly burnt by the time the cut side reaches an appealing golden brown. We tried various shade settings to find a sweet spot, but ultimately concluded that bagel lovers should invest in a model with a dedicated bagel function. The uneven heating we noticed with regular bread becomes even more pronounced with the thicker, denser texture of bagels.

Frozen Waffle Toasting

Frozen waffles presented another challenge for the Elite Gourmet. Without a dedicated frozen setting, it's a game of experimentation with different shade levels to find what works best for standard frozen waffles straight from the freezer. We found that setting the toaster to level 5 (between medium and dark) produces the most acceptable results — crispy exteriors with properly heated interiors.

The lack of a defrost function meant we couldn't achieve the same level of precision as toasters with this feature. Our waffles often emerged with slight cold spots in thicker areas, while thinner edges became overly crispy. Kids probably won't notice or care, but adults accustomed to evenly heated frozen breakfast items might find the results disappointing.

Ease of Use

From a usability standpoint, the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 keeps things refreshingly simple — perhaps too simple for some users. The toaster features just one control: a browning dial with six settings. Push the lever down, and your bread starts toasting. We measured toasting speed at approximately 2 minutes and 15 seconds for medium toast, which falls squarely in the average range. That's it. No confusion, no learning curve, no consulting the manual to figure out which button does what.

Cleaning is also relatively straightforward thanks to a slide-out crumb tray accessible from the front of the unit. We appreciate not having to turn the toaster around or upside down to remove crumbs, though the tray itself feels flimsy and requires careful handling to avoid spilling crumbs everywhere. The smooth exterior wipes clean easily, though the plastic construction shows fingerprints more readily than stainless steel alternatives.

Our biggest frustration comes from the extraordinarily short power cord — barely two feet long. Unless your outlet sits directly adjacent to where you want to place the toaster, you'll likely need an extension cord, which adds clutter and potentially creates a safety hazard in the kitchen.

The lightweight plastic construction makes this toaster easy to move around, but it also makes it feel less substantial and durable than metal alternatives. The lever mechanism worked smoothly during our testing period, though we question how well it will hold up to years of daily use. The slots accommodate standard bread slices comfortably but struggle with artisanal breads or thick bagels, occasionally requiring manual assistance to extract stuck items.

Should You Buy the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100?

The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 makes sense for college students, occasional toast eaters, or anyone furnishing a kitchen on an extremely tight budget. If you only make toast a few times a week and can adapt to its quirks, this toaster provides basic functionality at an unbeatable price. It's also a reasonable choice for vacation homes or RVs where you need something functional but don't want to invest in premium appliances. However, daily breakfast enthusiasts who value consistency and even browning should invest in a higher-quality model that will deliver better results and likely last longer.

What Other Toaster Should You Consider?