Commercial Pop-up Toaster

Commercial Pop-up Toasters: What You Need to Know

Commercial pop-up toasters work the same way residential toasters do. Operators place whatever type of bread they have into the slot at the top of the toaster, then press a lever to lower the bread into the machine. This process activates heating elements within the toaster that toast the bread for an adjustable amount of time. When the timer runs out, the lever rises, the heating elements turn off, and the toasted bread can be plucked from the top of the toaster. The bread's doneness usually is determined by how long the bread is toasted, though some models have adjustable heating as well. The primary differences between these models are the number of available bread slots, width of those slots, and toasting speed.

Common Questions About Commercial Pop-up Toasters

Can I toast bagels and buns in a 4-slice commercial toaster?

If you want to toast bagels, buns, or any other type of bread that's wider than normal sliced bread, you need to make sure the model you purchase has a slot wide enough for your product. Several models offer openings ranging from 1.50 to 1.63 inches, which is wide enough to accommodate even a large bagel. Measure the width of the widest product you intend to toast and get a toaster that matches that width.

If you're looking to toast only one side of a piece of bread – such as the underside of a hamburger bun – make sure your toaster can be activated on one side at a time.

What sort of power outlet do I need for a commercial long slot toaster?

Many commercial toasters use standard 120-volt power outlets, but some of the more powerful units require 208 or 240 volts. Models with higher voltages typically can toast bread quicker than lower-voltage units, so if you need lots of toast in a hurry, the more powerful units might serve you best.

How are commercial pop-up toasters rated?

Commercial toasters are rated by the number of slices they can cook over the course of an hour. This number helps operators decide which models meet their establishment's needs. Any given toaster's efficiency can be determined based on the number of slots available coupled with the length of time required by each cooking session. Commercial long slot toasters can toast longer pieces of bread than a standard 4-slice commercial toaster, but aren't as efficient with standard bread sizes. Consider the amount of toast required in your busiest periods and try to find a model that can keep up with your demand.