Abstract: An electric toaster includes a pair of electrically heatable plates (16) which have toasting surfaces (18) that can be brought into contact with opposed surfaces of a slice of bread (14) or other item to be toasted. The temperatures of the toasting surfaces (18) can be adjusted, for example over a range substantially equal to 230.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., to enable the degree of browning of the bread to be controlled.