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Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Review

The best option we've found for people seeking a 4-slice or long-slot model on the cheap
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Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Review
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $70 List
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Manufacturer:   Elite Gourmet
By Max Mutter and Michelle Powell  ⋅  Jan 26, 2022
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 12
  • Bread Toasting Quality - 35% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 35% 6.4
  • Bagel Toasting Quality - 15% 5.0
  • Frozen Food - 15% 7.0

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.
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
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

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Toast and Long Slot
Editors' Choice Award
Best for Most People
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
  
Price $70 List
$29.74 at Amazon
$30 List
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$25 List
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$25 List
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$24 List
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Bottom Line Impressive performance at a low prices makes this a compelling 4-slice modelOverall this toaster brings to the table a strong performance, is compact, and budget-friendlyAt the lower end of quality, but a budget-friendly option that worksAn aesthetically interesting option but only provides an average level of performanceAn 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%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
Ease of Use (35%)
6.4
8.2
6.6
7.1
6.8
Bagel Toasting Quality (15%)
5.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Frozen Food (15%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
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

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


elite gourmet ect-3100 - we generally enjoyed the toast we made with the elite gourmet...
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.

elite gourmet ect-3100 - the included warming rack lets you warm pastries and other items.
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.

elite gourmet ect-3100 - the elite gourmet ect-3100 easily accommodates four slices of bread...
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