REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Toasts 4 slices at once
Toasts bagels evenly
REASONS TO AVOID
No specific bagel mode
Toasting can be slightly inconsistent overall
Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Review
The best option we've found for people seeking a 4-slice or long-slot model on the cheap
Credit: Laura Casner
RELATED: Best Toasters of 2024
Our Verdict
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is a reasonably priced 4-slice toaster from our best toaster review. It manages to make good toast, nice frozen pastries, and fantastic bagels. If you have a family that requires lots of toast to be made quickly in the morning and you're on a budget, this could be the perfect toaster for you. Sure it lacks some of the bells and whistles of many of the more expensive models on the market, but it does all you need and then some for quite a wallet-friendly price. To boot, it has a built-in warming rack for heating up croissants and other pastries, and its classic metal styling easily fits into most kitchen decors and other kitchen appliances.
Editor's Note: This Elite Gourmet review includes new sections designed to help readers make a final buying decision that is best for their budget. This product review was updated on January 26, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Toast and Long Slot |  Best for Most People |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $70 List $34.99 at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | $25 List $24.99 at Amazon | $24 List $15.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Impressive performance at a low prices makes this a compelling 4-slice model | Overall this toaster brings to the table a strong performance, is compact, and budget-friendly | At the lower end of quality, but a budget-friendly option that works | An aesthetically interesting option but only provides an average level of performance | An incredibly affordable model that lacks the performance of better models |
| Rating Categories | Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 | Cuisinart CPT-122 | Black+Decker 2-Slic... | Bella 2 Slice Auto... | Elite Gourmet ECT1027B |
| Bread Toasting Quality (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (35%) | |||||
| Bagel Toasting Quality (15%) | |||||
| Frozen Food (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 | Cuisinart CPT-122 | Black+Decker 2-Slic... | Bella 2 Slice Auto... | Elite Gourmet ECT1027B |
| Functions | Defrost Reheat Cancel |
Bagel Defrost Reheat Cancel |
Bagel Frozen Cancel |
Bagel Frozen Cancel Gluten Free Reheat |
Cancel |
| Measured Slot Dimensions | 9.8 x 4" | 5.4 x 4.25" | 5.4 x 4.75" | 5 x 4.25" | 5.1 x 4" |
| Measured Dimensions | 14.7" x 7.1" x 7.7" | 6.5" x 11" x 7.2" | 7.3" x 12" x 8" | 9.8" x 5.8 x 7" | 9.5" x 5.5" x 6.1" |
| Measured Weight | 4.3 lbs | 2.6 Ibs | 2.6 Ibs | 2.1 lbs | 1.7 lbs |
| Measured External Surface Temperature During Toasting | 96.8 F | 84.9 F | 101.2 F | 86.5 F | 91.5 F |
| Measured Product Footprint | 104.4 | 71.5 | 87.6 | 56.8 | 52.3 |
| Measured Watts | 1339 W | 935 W | 885 W | 865 W | 780 W |
| End of Cycle Indicator | None | None | None | None | None |
| Exterior Housing Material | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| Color/Finish Options | Black Plastic/Stainless | White, Red, Black | Black | Aqua, Black, Blue, Red, Sage, White | Black |
| Standard/Long Slot | Long | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Available with Long Slot? | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Available in 4 slot? | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Model Number | ECT-3100 | CPT-122 | T2569B | BOB137 | ECT1027B |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
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.
Performance Comparison
We generally enjoyed the toast we made with the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100.
Credit: Laura Casner
Bread Toasting Quality
In our best toaster review bread toasting tests, the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 did quite well. In general, the toast was evenly browned on both sides and was pretty consistent across the faces.
Oddly, the middle of the toaster seems a bit colder than the edges, so each piece of bread tended to have one slightly darker half and one somewhat lighter half. However, these minor inconsistencies didn't affect our enjoyment of said toast. Additionally, if you end up toasting just a single slice of bread and putting it in the middle of one of the slots, as the manufacturer suggests, that toast often has darker ends and a lighter spot in the middle. Again, we didn't find that inconsistency distracting our overall toast eating experience.
Finally, the included warming rack for croissants and other pastries is simple, works well, and makes you feel downright fancy when using it.
Ease of Use
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is relatively straightforward to use but lacks some of the extra user-friendly touches that some other models have.
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 interface is simple — a dial to select the shade setting, two buttons for the defrost and reheat functions, a button to cancel the cycle, and a lever to start everything off. The crumb tray slides out so you can empty it without moving the actual toaster. In our experience, the toaster surface stays at a relatively mild temperature, even when running consecutive cycles.
The included warming rack lets you warm pastries and other items.
Credit: Laura Casner
What the toaster lacks in user experience is the ability to check on the toast mid-cycle and resume the cycle if it isn't done, a bagel setting, or the ability to save settings — all options on some of the more expensive models. However, those extra features may be superfluous for many people, so their absence is not a knock against the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100.
Bagel Toasting Quality
This metric is one area where many slot toasters tend to struggle (giving toaster ovens a leg up), but where the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 did surprisingly well given its low price tag.
Bagels tend to be quite challenging to toast evenly, and the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 managed to do that quite well in our testing. The one flaw is that it doesn't have a bagel setting. In most models, the bagel setting turns one side of each slot down a bit so you can toast the face of the bagel while keeping the backside still a bit gooey. This function isn't an option with the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100.
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 easily accommodates four slices of bread as well as irregularly shaped artisanal bread.
Credit: Laura Casner
Frozen Food Defrosting Quality
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 did well on most of our frozen food tests but struggled a bit when it came to more unique items like frozen toaster pastries.
The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 handled both frozen bread and frozen waffles beautifully in our tests, completely thawing each and then imbuing a reasonably even and crispy browning across their faces. Frozen toaster pastries, however, were another story. Many of these pastries started to borderline burn around the edges while the centers were still quite gooey.
Should You Buy the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100?
It would be hard to find a 4-slice toaster that performed as well as the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 for less. Therefore, we think it's a great value for those who need a 4-slice and/or long-slot toaster. The Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is both one of the best and least expensive long-slot 4-slice toasters we've tested.
What Other Toaster Should You Consider?
If you don't need four slots or long slots, then the Elite may not be the best appliance for you. The Black+Decker 2-Slice T2569B is very budget friendly and costs a fraction of the price. Why spend more if you don't need to? If bagels or good basic toast is your goal, we like the Amazon. If you want the absolute best, then the Smeg 2-Slice is the option to consider with impressive toast and bagels and an unbelievably cool aesthetic.
—
Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
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