The dial timer on my dualit toaster keeps sticking, how do I mend this?

Great British Design - The highest Brittish attention to the wrong detail.

Mark E. Smith
October 2022

great video on how to easy it is to repair your dualit toaster...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfEhtrrOd7Q

Toaster
January 2022

This happed to mine and I've stripped it and added some lubricant but it's still sticking intermittently. I've another Dualit toaster that's about 20 years old and that one is fine.

anthonykell
August 2021

My Dualit 2-slot toaster is almost caused a kitchen fire today - the timer stuck on and heated the cupboard units above the toaster for several hours. A light fitting on the underside of the cupboard distorted due to the heat and dropped onto the toaster, which was still pumping out heat. The kitchen smoke alarm did not sound, presumably since no actual smoke was produced. But it was a very close thing....

Lucky Andrew
October 2020

I had my toaster time mended and serviced and now it’s doing it again what a pain

Finny
September 2020

So, timer sticking? I just had the same problem! Thought I'd need a new one until I read this thread. I looked at toaster and decided to give it a service. It is 25ish years old and a bit greasy/grimey... It turns out a good clean and a little WD40 work wonders. The timer unit looks intimidating but is extremely simple. Take a photo of the wires to ensure you put them back correctly. 2 wires unscrew and the other 4 pull off. remove silver cover by levering screw driver under ends, unit will then slide out, blow any dust away from cogs and spray a little DW40 onto cogs and spring. re-assemble and test a few times before plugging back in. If this does not work you may need a new timer unit...

John
November 2017

same thing happened to me, but rather than spend the money (and being tight!) I decided to strip the timer and give it a blow and oil, its a bit like a basic watch, any way I was worried about all the cogs flying out but came apart quite easily,put back and all seems ok
Fingers crossed!!!
I will watch for the next few months,i am allways around when toasting anyway

Circuit Breaker
April 2013

Same thing happened to mine TWICE. The first time I took the toaster back. My second toaster is out of warranty!

They can say what they like, this is a design defect.

Had a British car once. It was a nightmare! I thought they could build a decent toaster. Guess not!

Gynangirl
April 2012

The new elements and new timer have arrived, just waiting for a bit of free time.

I must say I've had my Dualit toaster for years and this is the first time I've needed to do any repairs.

Jackie, Wales.
March 2012

Anyone experiencing problems on ANY product less that two years old should be aware of something that most retailers don't want you to know: The fact is that a two-year guarantee applies for the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU (Directive 1999/44/EC). If you are not sure, Google 'EU Consumer Rights' and read it for yourself! I would suggest anyone with a faulty appliance take it back and quote the above directive when the shop assistant tries to claim otherwise!

Mark L, Hampshire
September 2011

I won't be buying Dualit again. I agree with the earlier poster, it is an expensive item and, as such, you would expect it to work

Patrick
August 2011

thank you Caroline, brilliant instructions, very clear. Another 40 year old housewife repairs toaster!
Many thanks, my husband will never hear the end of it...

Susan
August 2011

I have just found my dualit toaster (less than 2 years old) shooting flames due to the timer getting stuck!!! Seems like this is a common problem. Not good enough considering the price of the toaster. For the cost of the replacement part I could buy a new toaster (prestige). I have checked on line and the replacement timer part is out of stock!!!!! Speaks volumes!!!

Debbie Stone
March 2010

Ours keeps sticking too. Burnt 4 pieces of toast before I realised. Hmm, this really does look as though there could be a design fault.

N I
February 2010

Thanks so much for the instructions, I might not have attmepted this myself without realising how straightforward it was. Just replaced the timer in our toaster and it works a treat now.
Dualit seem to be covering themselves with the phrases "When toasting do not leave appliance
unattended. THIS IS AN ATTENDED APPLIANCE".

powelli
January 2010

Surely this is a fire harzard,i have replaced mine twice whats trading standards doing about this.

Alex

Alex
December 2009

Thanks for the instructions - I got a new part from Dualit, which they sent without instructions. Given the number of people with the same problem, there clearly IS a design fault!

David McC, Dublin
December 2009

Yeah you can replace it. New timer from dualit £26.45 p+p.(Tele No. 01293 652500) Not sure if I want to order one if, like everyone else, it keeps sticking. We haven't had our toaster that long and I thought it was the rolls royce of toasters!!!

Damien, Derry, N.Ireland
August 2009

Useful tip; if you bought this toaster from John Lewis 2005 onwards its covered by a 5 year guarantee

Jenny O'Connell
August 2009

Ah Ha . . .since my last post I have managed to fix mine!
I am assured by the customer service dept that it is not a design fault but as the only moving part it is subject to wear and tear.
1. Call 01293 652500 and order the correct replacement timer ( make and model no. on the underside of the toaster)
2. When it arrives don't be put off by blurb about competent electrician, I am sure it is just company insurance against idiots. I am a mid 40's housewife with no particular skills and managed it as easy as pie.
3. Undo screws holding base plate and feet in place.
4. Look carefully at position of old timer and note down position of different coloured wires.
5. Gently but firmly pull wires with their connections off from "prongs" of old timer - needed a dab of WD40 here (probably a no, no in the world of electricians)
6. gently lever off/ pull off dial from front of timer
7. Remove 2 retaining screw from front of timer
8. Take it out and put everything back in reverse order
9. Enjoy deep satisfaction from successful resuscitation of dying toaster, and say bye bye to burnt toast.

Caroline
July 2009

Mine is exactly the same timer sticks until you move it on. Is this a design fault?? It cant be that hard to replace the timer switch.

John R
July 2009

And mine! Surely someone out there can see this as an opportunity to set up a timer repair service . . . any suggestions gratefully received.

Caroline
July 2009

same has happened to mine, timer keeps sticking.

David61c
July 2009

same thing has also happen to my toaster! can't find anyone or anywhere who can fix it!

Lina
July 2009

Did you get an answer to this? The same thing keeps happening to mine.

Jill
July 2009