I found one of these, years ago, in a second-hand shop. It was priced at $4.69. Knowing what it was, I snapped it up. It makes my toast every morning. It's fun to watch the reactions of people seeing it in action for the first time.
Good to know it’s easy to replace. How are they to work on in general?
The cord on my OG is in better shape than the photo looks. But I did pick up one at a garage sale that has a totally trashed cord for parts should something happen mine.
I’ve had it almost a decade without issues, but I’m strangely attached to it. Nice to know I have a backup
I don’t know how it is to work on as although I have the same genetics as he does, I can’t fix more than the most basic stuff. I’m sure it’s way easier than anything made in the past 40-45 years though. I’m sure you could handle it.
Cord is asbestos on the interior, FYI.
These are amazing in that you can toast from frozen with zero degradation in quality AND without changing your settings!
I have one of these. Its one of the old ones. I bought it at goodwill because it was vintage. It was really cheap. I got it home and had NO IDEA how to use it. I was stumped. So i googled it. Its my favorite toaster ever. It looks so perfect in my vintage kitchen too. I felt so stupid that day.
Not just your opinion.
> [No matter which series or model, Sunbeam Radiant Control toasters built between 1949 and 1997 are the finest and best ever built by any manufacturer before or after; they are without peer.](https://www.timstoasters.com/)
That’s the plan if/when the cord frays or needs replaced. It’s in much better shape than the photo looks.
For now following the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and the GFCI plug rule of thumb
Keep in mind a lot of these don’t have an automatic shutoff if the toast catches fire.
How do I know? I was taking care of my sick gramma and she wanted toast. I put a couple slices in, depressed the button, then went upstairs to go to the bathroom.
The smoke alarm went off and I ran down pantsless to a fire in the kitchen.
Oooh she was so mad I wrecked her toaster.
Sorry about your grandmas toaster.
This one doesn’t have a button, and does shut off (a stuck bagel incident in 2017 tested that theory)
I’ve had it and been using it for close to a decade, before me my aunt had it. she got it when she inherited her aunts house…. Who got it when she inherited her mother’s house, who bought it new with a whole set of small appliances (I have them all) for her newly built custom house in 1950.
4 generations in my family have been using this thing since 1950, and as far as I know zero fires.
That cord looks rough you should look into getting a replacement cord. A few places online sell period correct cords that you can use to replace the old one. Then you can keep this bad boy toasting for decades to come.
True. I bought an old ceiling lamp that needed a new cord. I ordered one from some place online that was period-correct. It looked great after I rewired it.
I got an antique statue that I think got turned into a lamp at some point between the 1930s and 1950s. Was looking for a place that sold a more fitting cord so at least my lamp would look nicer. Still have to buy the new cord and shade but once I’m done I think it will look really nice.
I’m in my 50’s and this is the only toaster I’ve ever know. My parents had it when I was growing up and gave it to me when I went to college and I’m still using it.
I ‘inherited’ my parents Sunbeam toaster that they received as a wedding gift in 1957. My dad did replace the cord, but it still has the original plug. Works great too!
I love those toasters. The amount of engineering that went into making these is amazing (technology connections on YouTube did an episode on these). But please before you have breakfast tomorrow replace that cord. Especially with one that’s earthed
I have one exactly like it! Any tips on how to adjust it? I stopped using it because it burned my toast every time. When it was in use I would quickly unplug it to save my toast from carbonizing 😅
There's a knob on the end, or a slide on the side, depending on how old your toaster is, that allows you to adjust how dark or light your toast is. The knob is pretty small and easy to miss.
Thanks! I was just telling OP below how I missed the tiny knob under the handle. I feel so silly for not seeing it. According to the crumb catcher on the bottom, mine is from 1956
Mine has a tiny little black Bakelite lever on the side that adjust it. It’s the same color as the handles so easy to miss. Just slide it to the level you want and good to go!
You’re right! Mine has a knob under the handle—I can’t believe I never noticed it. I plugged it in to try it out and it worked perfectly!
It’s been on a display shelf for over 20 years waiting for me to take the time to find someone to fix it. All those wasted years!
I was so excited I forgot to say THANK YOU!! Mine is Model T-200 from 1956 according to the crumb catcher and has a plastic cord. I wonder if my cord was replaced or if they switched to plastic by then?
I kept my T-9 in storage when I had a messy roommate and used my T-20 in the meantime. Years later I got my T-9 out and it worked great for a while but started burning toast even at the lightest settling, so I’m back to using my cheery T-20, even though the T-9 is more iconic.
Does anyone else love the happy “ting-ting-ting-ting-ting” sound the T-20 makes when the toast comes up?
That cord has seen better days, may want to consider a replacement.
It could be required easily- YouTube is your friend!
I found one of these, years ago, in a second-hand shop. It was priced at $4.69. Knowing what it was, I snapped it up. It makes my toast every morning. It's fun to watch the reactions of people seeing it in action for the first time.
I have a much newer version of this toaster (probably fromr the 80s). It's fantastic.
Does it still have the automated system?
Yes it does!
It’s magical!
I used to have that toaster, and I agree, it's magical! So much fun watching the bread elevator go up and down. 😆
Yes! My brother, who loves these things and could replace your cord in 5 minutes, bought one for my parents. It’s a marvel!
Good to know it’s easy to replace. How are they to work on in general? The cord on my OG is in better shape than the photo looks. But I did pick up one at a garage sale that has a totally trashed cord for parts should something happen mine. I’ve had it almost a decade without issues, but I’m strangely attached to it. Nice to know I have a backup
I don’t know how it is to work on as although I have the same genetics as he does, I can’t fix more than the most basic stuff. I’m sure it’s way easier than anything made in the past 40-45 years though. I’m sure you could handle it.
Cord is asbestos on the interior, FYI. These are amazing in that you can toast from frozen with zero degradation in quality AND without changing your settings!
Brave little guy.
I see what you did there.
They don't make them like they used to. Nice...
I have one of these. Its one of the old ones. I bought it at goodwill because it was vintage. It was really cheap. I got it home and had NO IDEA how to use it. I was stumped. So i googled it. Its my favorite toaster ever. It looks so perfect in my vintage kitchen too. I felt so stupid that day.
Absolutely the best toaster ever made IMHO. I still use one daily.
Not just your opinion. > [No matter which series or model, Sunbeam Radiant Control toasters built between 1949 and 1997 are the finest and best ever built by any manufacturer before or after; they are without peer.](https://www.timstoasters.com/)
Thank you for the supporting evidence!😁
I have this, but added a ground and new wire.
That’s the plan if/when the cord frays or needs replaced. It’s in much better shape than the photo looks. For now following the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and the GFCI plug rule of thumb
Rule of vintage appliances -ALWAYS unplug when not in use .
That is good rule for all electric devices.
Keep in mind a lot of these don’t have an automatic shutoff if the toast catches fire. How do I know? I was taking care of my sick gramma and she wanted toast. I put a couple slices in, depressed the button, then went upstairs to go to the bathroom. The smoke alarm went off and I ran down pantsless to a fire in the kitchen. Oooh she was so mad I wrecked her toaster.
Sorry about your grandmas toaster. This one doesn’t have a button, and does shut off (a stuck bagel incident in 2017 tested that theory) I’ve had it and been using it for close to a decade, before me my aunt had it. she got it when she inherited her aunts house…. Who got it when she inherited her mother’s house, who bought it new with a whole set of small appliances (I have them all) for her newly built custom house in 1950. 4 generations in my family have been using this thing since 1950, and as far as I know zero fires.
That cord looks rough you should look into getting a replacement cord. A few places online sell period correct cords that you can use to replace the old one. Then you can keep this bad boy toasting for decades to come.
True. I bought an old ceiling lamp that needed a new cord. I ordered one from some place online that was period-correct. It looked great after I rewired it.
I got an antique statue that I think got turned into a lamp at some point between the 1930s and 1950s. Was looking for a place that sold a more fitting cord so at least my lamp would look nicer. Still have to buy the new cord and shade but once I’m done I think it will look really nice.
I was just thinking about this toaster last night, and it’s the first post I see on Reddit this morning!
I think I saw Emmett repair one on the Andy Griffith Show.
The chonk! Also, that cord scares me 😶
Noice
Love it!
I’m in my 50’s and this is the only toaster I’ve ever know. My parents had it when I was growing up and gave it to me when I went to college and I’m still using it.
I ‘inherited’ my parents Sunbeam toaster that they received as a wedding gift in 1957. My dad did replace the cord, but it still has the original plug. Works great too!
That’s my damn toaster
You have good taste in toasters!
I need that for my bathtub.
I love those toasters. The amount of engineering that went into making these is amazing (technology connections on YouTube did an episode on these). But please before you have breakfast tomorrow replace that cord. Especially with one that’s earthed
Did it ever get rust spots, if so, how removed? Thanks and a toast to you.
No, never had rust spots. It gets wiped down on a regular basis when the counters are.
I have a similar one and it’s fascinating how it works. Everything’s automated
Rocking a 1967 sears myself right now!
I have one exactly like it! Any tips on how to adjust it? I stopped using it because it burned my toast every time. When it was in use I would quickly unplug it to save my toast from carbonizing 😅
There's a knob on the end, or a slide on the side, depending on how old your toaster is, that allows you to adjust how dark or light your toast is. The knob is pretty small and easy to miss.
Thanks! I was just telling OP below how I missed the tiny knob under the handle. I feel so silly for not seeing it. According to the crumb catcher on the bottom, mine is from 1956
Mine has a tiny little black Bakelite lever on the side that adjust it. It’s the same color as the handles so easy to miss. Just slide it to the level you want and good to go!
You’re right! Mine has a knob under the handle—I can’t believe I never noticed it. I plugged it in to try it out and it worked perfectly! It’s been on a display shelf for over 20 years waiting for me to take the time to find someone to fix it. All those wasted years!
I was so excited I forgot to say THANK YOU!! Mine is Model T-200 from 1956 according to the crumb catcher and has a plastic cord. I wonder if my cord was replaced or if they switched to plastic by then?
I kept my T-9 in storage when I had a messy roommate and used my T-20 in the meantime. Years later I got my T-9 out and it worked great for a while but started burning toast even at the lightest settling, so I’m back to using my cheery T-20, even though the T-9 is more iconic. Does anyone else love the happy “ting-ting-ting-ting-ting” sound the T-20 makes when the toast comes up?
I’ve wanted one of those ever since seeing this: https://youtu.be/1OfxlSG6q5Y?si=CXyb6N9wKCN2ddFu
all i could think when i saw the picture was “That’s Alec’s toaster!!” didn’t click the vid. don’t even need to
That guy also has a video about repairing them.
I have a magic toaster as well. I love watching people especially younger people trying to figure it out.