14 DAY TRIAL // From time to time, we happen to come across certain products that are so strange, so odd, that we simply can't refrain from writing about them, and this is also the case with the Breville VT296, a very interesting combo between a radio and a...toaster.
As strange as such a combination might sound, the truth of the matter is that this is exactly what the VT296 is capable of delivering, which makes it a very good solution for the modern, crammed-up kitchens.
Unfortunately, though, while the device from Breville does offer some interesting features, others are less so, especially since, in this day and age of technology, we might have raised our hopes too high as far this little device is concerned.
So, while the VT296 does in fact incorporate a radio receiver, we're, sadly, talking just about a “classic” AM/FM model, no Internet-related features being available.
However, in order to “sweeten” the pill just a bit, the device does offer 10 presets for one's favorite stations, as well as an auxiliary audio input, letting users hook up an MP3 player to their toaster.
The Breville VT296 also delivers just about every feature one might expect from a modern toaster, including here variable browning control and variable width slots, as well as the possibility to reheat one's toast, without burning it.
Additional functions worth mentioning here include defrost operation (the device can easily defrost frozen bread), an extra lift that raises the bread so that the users are never in a danger of getting burned.
Last, but certainly not least, this thing is also quite easy to carry around, given the fact that it weighs just around 2 kilos, and also sports a classic design, looking just like a classic taken out of a movie set in the 50's.
We're not exactly sure on the pricing just yet, but Breville's got plenty of outlets selling its products, so finding it shouldn't prove to be much of a challenge.