There’s a proven luxury market for literally anything. Just look at the $399 Wolf Toaster, which coincidentally is made in the U.S. This is the same brand that makes the famous Wolf Ranges.
https://wolfgourmet.com/store/countertop-appliances/four-sli...
It’s pretty ugly considering the price.
I just learned about Dualit because of this thread, they make something very similar to the vision I have in my head, except it’s made in the UK instead of the US.
I was picturing basically recreating something like the Sunbeam T-20.
I got a vintage Sunbeam toaster recently, and in the process I found this guy who restores vintage Sunbeam toasters for almost $300!
That's not including the toaster itself, which generally runs somewhere around $100 on eBay.
It makes me wonder if it's a better business to restore old toasters (and even other kitchen gear) rather than to make new ones. I haven't used his services ($300 is quite a bit more than I'd like to spend), but it seems like he goes to great lengths to fix up these toasters, even ordering custom power cords from a wire supplier. I bet it would be easier to start off recreating some replacement parts rather than manufacturing a whole toaster.
This is great!
How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's
From Technology Connections:
It happens.
> It’s pretty ugly considering the price.
Aesthetic is very subjective, people probably purchase the Wolf toaster because the red knobs match their Wolf stove. That said it is very modern and if you also made an art deco stove to match the toaster you’re imagining you may have found a new market.
> I just learned about Dualit because of this thread, they make something very similar to the vision I have in my head, except it’s made in the UK instead of the US.
Dualit is a great brand with a great product.
> I was picturing basically recreating something like the Sunbeam T-20.
To be fair the Dualit reminds me of a more modern Sunbeam.
Really if you have the time and the resources to manufacture a toaster, do it, expect a failure, and if it’s successful great, at the very least you’ll have learned something new.
My toaster cost like $30 or something and it still works fine after 10 years. I didn't even research it, just grabbed a random one at a store.