The heat settings on toasters are typically designed to provide a range of toasting options to accommodate individual preferences for different types of bread and personal taste preferences. However, the effectiveness of these settings can vary depending on the toaster's design and quality.
There could be a few reasons why your toaster's heat settings seem to burn the bread when set above 3:
Inconsistent temperature control: Cheaper or older toasters may not have precise temperature control mechanisms, leading to uneven heating. This means that higher settings might result in a spike in temperature, causing the bread to burn rather than toast evenly.
Poor insulation: Some toasters might not have adequate insulation, leading to heat loss and inconsistency in toasting. As a result, the higher settings may generate more heat than necessary, causing burning.
Variation in bread types: Different types of bread have varying moisture content and thickness, which affects how they toast. Some bread might burn quickly at higher settings, while others may not toast enough at lower settings.
Wear and tear: If your toaster is old or heavily used, it might not function as well as it used to. Over time, components can wear down, leading to unpredictable heating behavior.
Manufacturing quality: Cheaper or poorly designed toasters might not have undergone rigorous testing or quality control, leading to issues with their heating elements and settings.
If you consistently find that the higher settings lead to burnt toast, it's best to adjust your toasting habits accordingly. Stick to the lower heat settings that work for you and keep an eye on the toasting process to avoid overcooking. Additionally, investing in a higher-quality toaster with better temperature control might provide more reliable toasting results.