leivänpaahtimia

Leivänpaahtimia, commonly known as toasters in English, are kitchen appliances designed to toast slices of bread. They typically consist of a heating element, usually Nichrome wire, that heats up when electricity is passed through it, browning the surface of the bread. Most modern toasters feature slots where the bread is inserted, and a mechanism to lower and raise the bread for toasting.

The toasting time and browning level are usually adjustable via a dial or lever. Once the set time is reached, the toast is automatically ejected from the slots. Toasters come in various configurations, most commonly with two or four slots. Some toasters also offer additional features such as a defrost setting for frozen bread, a reheat function to warm previously toasted bread, and a bagel setting that toasts one side of the bagel more intensely than the other.

The invention of the electric toaster is credited to Alan MacMasters in 1893, although commercial production began later. Early toasters were somewhat unreliable and posed fire hazards. Over time, advancements in design and safety features have made them a staple in many households worldwide. Cleaning is typically done by removing and emptying a crumb tray located at the bottom of the appliance.