That truly qualifies as porn.
I doubt, in the history of the universe, that any mere mortal could produce that (maybe after lots of practice).
Late 2018 there were a couple of (mostly) excellent threads @CRVL discussing techniques for making toast.
Toast was one of my wants, and something I knew I'd miss, so I carefully read them.
Since going full-time, I'd been getting by with (according to ToastMeisterGeneral Abnorm/Doug) merely "grilling" stuff, but I fantasized about upping my game. :)
One weekend last summer, when it was way too hot to be in my van, I did a Town run, and hit a bunch of stores partly for air conditioning. One stop was a hardware store to look for something to solve my curtain rod problem. Immediately across from the brackets was camping gear, so I dawdled over them first... and saw one lonely, rather dusty, Coghlan's "Camp Stove Toaster".
It's merely on my "want" list, so I "knew" I would not be buying it, but did pick it up, read the box's sparse propaganda, fondled it a bit, then put it back, congratulating myself on my willpower. :)
Next stop was a grocery store, mainly to buy bread.
Almost immediately I found a kickass sale on generic/no-brand almost-whole-wheat English muffins: pack of 6 for $1.25.
My brain instantly did the math: two packages of that plus the toaster ($3.99) would cost about the same as an equivalent amount of bread (the good kind not the plastic crud). :)
Even better, in one of last year's threads, someone mentioned it was a big hassle flipping the bread, when using the Coghlan Toaster. With English muffins, no frackin' flipping required! Much safer for us klutzes. :)
So, yeah, I bought the muffins, checked my budget (still way below my $10/month luxury limit), read a bunch of Amazon reviews (just to be certain & was pleased their price was much higher), then went back and bought the toaster.
I'm assuaging my guilt by posting a detailed review. :)
First pictures, then some notes.
Package:
That truly qualifies as porn.
I doubt, in the history of the universe, that any mere mortal could produce that (maybe after lots of practice).
Here's the pristine device, top & bottom:
Toast holders deployed:
English muffins in place, on top of my gas stove:
...definitely not porn!
Note: Shortly before, one of the brackets on my van's nice foldout kitchen shelf/panel broke.
Since then, I've been cooking on top of a bare cardboard box, originally with just a folded cardboard box on top (above), later with the removed shelf/panel on top, between the box and my stove (see below).
I had also run out of butane, and this was literally my first use of my stove's propane adapter (that hose at the far right).
Several minutes later, finished, and the toaster base / heat diffuser is no longer pristine/shiny:
Top down view of final level of toasting:
Not "perfect", but I was very pleased that I hadn't burnt anything. :)
I wrapped them in a paper towel, then proceeded to (quickly) make some scrambled eggs with bacon bits & cheese:
They were still warm & crisp by the time I ate each.
Much better than I was expecting! :)
Here's what the toaster looked like the next day:
Notes:
My first time, it took about 20 grams of propane to toast two English Muffins.
I've done more since, but have stopped weighing my propane canister, because it loses some propane every time it's detached, the smell of which disturbs me & wastes fuel.
Sometime soon (once I can find a bag of either English muffins or bagels), I will weigh the butane used & report back.
It does require one's full attention, and there's considerable difference in doneness at the four holders. Sometimes I've lifted & rotated the whole contraption, sometimes I've just quickly removed & moved individual items.
English Muffins are a lot easier than I imagine bread would be.
It's just enough of a hassle that I intend to stick to one sided items. Bagels will be up, soon. :)
Several Amazon reviews claimed the contraption is not solid, and hard to repack.
So far, I've found it to be reasonably solid, but I was gentle with it, and fiddled a bit to find the sweet spot.
If you pop out the holders, then lay them flat, it's easy to repack.
Many reviews mentioned that it rusted quickly, but didn't mention any other changes.
I was skeptical, and intentionally chose not to wash it, instead merely rubbing debris off it.
Despite that, a day or two after my 2nd full toast, I did notice rust, which I rubbed off, and it's now ok.
As you can see, it did discolor significantly after one use, but that's to be expected - fire is powerful! :)
I have experienced some odd smells while using it. I just gently turned down the flame any time that occurred, then inspected.
Bottom line:
It's fiddly, requires focus, and rusts easily, but does do a very good job, particularly if one sticks to one sided bakery items.
I strongly suspect this had been at the hardware store for a long time, hence the "old" price. If you enjoy toast, are a patient cook, you may want to keep your eyes peeled for one of these. It feels like the sort of thing that few people buy, so a near-bargain may be lurking out there for you. :)