Dualit

Overview

Dualit is a British manufacturer of kitchen and catering equipment, known for heavy-duty toasters originally designed for commercial use that later gained popularity in domestic kitchens during the 1990s. It produces a range of appliances including kettles, food processors, coffee machines, and beverage capsules, maintaining a focus on durability with hand-assembled parts and replaceable elements. The company occupies a facility in Crawley, West Sussex, and supplies both professional and home markets.¹⁴⁷

History

Dualit was founded in 1945 by German-born inventor Max Gort-Barten, who patented a flip-sided toaster in 1946 and developed a commercial six-slot toaster in 1952. The company moved factories multiple times, from Camberwell to Bermondsey in 1954 and to Crawley, West Sussex in 2003 after outgrowing its London base. Key milestones include expansion into domestic markets in the 1970s-1980s, introduction of kettles in the 1990s, and innovations like the Proheat element using Space Shuttle technology in 1999; Max Gort-Barten received a CBE in 1989 and died in 2003.¹⁴

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Dualit manufactures products at its facility in Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom, with hand-assembly for items like the Classic Toaster, including engraving the assembler's name on the base. Many components emphasize repairability and longevity, such as replaceable elements. The company handles UK fabrication for light equipment and food prep.³⁵⁷

Notable Products

• Classic Toaster - Hand-assembled heavy-duty toaster with mechanical timer, ejector lever, and replaceable parts, in production since the 1950s.
• Combi Toaster - Versatile toaster with sandwich cage for commercial use, launched in the 1980s.
• NewGen Kettle - Cordless kettle with 360° swivel base, introduced in the 1990s as a bestseller.
• ProHeat Toaster - Toaster featuring elements developed with Space Shuttle technology in 1999.
• Food Processor - Countertop model launched in 2007 for professional and home food preparation.
• Capsule Coffee Machines - Systems compatible with Dualit's proprietary coffee and tea capsules.

Reputation

Dualit is regarded by enthusiasts and professionals for its exceptional durability, with toasters from the 1950s-1960s still operational due to repairable designs and solid construction. It holds an acceptable ethical rating for its code of conduct but lacks full accreditation in sustainability. Criticisms are minimal in sources, though its premium pricing reflects commercial-grade build over mass-market affordability.²³