bit-tech Shopping: Back to Basics TEM500 Egg & Muffin Toaster and Egg Poacher

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Easy to use; quick to prepare a healthy and delicious breakfast

Weaknesses: NO

Summary: My hubby used it everyday to make breakfast and he loves it!!! It is really easy to prepare egg and toast with it in less than 5 minutes, which is super. And it is easy to clean too. To avoid the egg pan peeling problem mentioned by other people, we used a foil on top of it! Hope this little thing will last.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Easy to use; saves time - toast and egg are done at the same time.

Weaknesses: Takes up some counter space, and must use cooking spray on the egg poacher tray.

Summary: This cool little appliance is so easy and convenient to use. Slide in your bread slices, fill the heating tray with water using the included measuring cup, crack an egg into the poaching tray, press a button, and press down on the toast lever and you're ready to do something else (get dressed; put make-up on, etc.). Both toast and egg are done at the same time, so no more worrying about either one getting cold when you're cooking the other. No more fry/oil smells in my clothes and hair, as I usually fry my eggs. Clean-up is easy too. I haven't tried warming cooked meat, or making hard-boiled eggs with it yet, but I'm sure it'll work great.You must use cooking spray or the egg will get stuck to the poaching tray. I used about half a teaspoon of oil the first time and the egg was stuck to it. It was difficult to get the stucked layer off with a sponge. I had to gently scratch it off with my nails! The second time, I used cooking spray and the poached egg slid right out of the tray. It does take up some counter space since it's slightly longer and thicker than a regular toaster - this is just a minor down-side, at least for me, as I don't have much counter space to begin with.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: - Easy to keep clean- Poaches eggs well- Above average toaster- Reasonably priced

Weaknesses: - Eggs don't slide out of poaching pan without help

Summary: I was fairly skeptical when I first heard of this toaster, since it sounded like something you'd see advertised on an infomercial that wouldn't actually work. It turns out my fears were unfounded--I'm happy to say that it does work exactly as described. The machine makes "egg mcmuffins" by combining a toaster, egg poacher, and warming tray for breakfast meat. You just need to insert the food into the machine, hit a button, and it takes care of timing the toaster and poacher properly so everything finishes together after 3-4 minutes. It does a surprisingly good job at poaching eggs, and the toaster is above average (at least with bread and english muffins; I haven't tried bagels). Cleanup is easy--just wipe off the poaching parts after each use. The parts are all dishwasher safe, but they don't get so dirty that they need to be run through the washer all that often. The one drawback is that the eggs don't slide out of the non-stick pan without a little help. Basically you need to use a spoon to loosen one side before they'll come out. It's not quite "sticking" in that the egg still comes out as one piece and doesn't leave a mess. But the eggs won't release without a little help either. As another reviewer noted, this is likely due to cheap non-stick coating being used. On the build quality front, the machine is a bit plasticy but doesn't feel cheap. It's not terribly ugly, but at the same time you won't want to keep it on your counter if all of your other appliances are stainless.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Decent price; works as advertised; good and inexpensive results; and fun

Weaknesses: Uneven and lighter toasting; egg pan sticks

Summary: This device works exactly as advertised: in the space of a bulkier 2-slot toaster, put this device and have egg sandwiches cheaply and easily, whenever you want one! The toaster and egg poacher are timed, so that within 2-3 minutes, you have both your bread product and egg ready for putting together. Simply put some water into the poaching compartment using the included small measuring cup; spray some nonstick spray into the poaching tray (a miniature pan) and crack an egg into it; put the poaching tray into its end of the toaster and cover; put your toast or bagel (the toaster slots are wide enough) or muffin into the 2 toast slots; and press a button. 2-3 minutes later, you're done. It's that easy. You also can use the device to hardboil up to 4 eggs (very easy to do) and to warm pre-cooked meat for an egg sandwich (by a tray placed above the poaching egg--this is not to cook the meat, however). Plus to toast or poach an egg alone, if you wish. The device is hard matte plastic and has proven durable and attractive enough. The only issue I have had is that the poaching tray is a thinner metal, with a nonstick coating; but the egg can and does stick slightly after having used the device for awhile, even with nonstick spray. A heartier metal plus coating should have been used, but it is not bad and I just make sure to wipe the egg tray down well after each use (a few swipes under water is all that's needed) and to spray it well before use. (And I have read that the manufacturer will easily replace trays where the coating is defective). And the toaster itself is somewhat uneven and I wish it was more powerful; but for egg sandwiches especially, it is fine. In the end, a great savings in comparison to going out, saving $1/1.50 or more per sandwich--it pays for itself fairly quickly. And you control the ingredients and quality, which is nice, and don't have to go out. And, in the end, it's fun, for some reason!

Rating: 8

Time with product: 7 Days

Strengths: Simple to use,time saving,easy cleanup,convenient.

Weaknesses: None

Summary: What a great idea. I am sure it will be used often in our household. Adds a new dimension for variety at breakfast-even when in a hurry. Each person can prepare custom orders and at various times to suit individual schedules.