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Home / The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture / woddities: wonderful oddities

Vintage Modern Maid built-in toaster

pam kueber - May 26, 2013, Updated: August 25, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

modern maid toastermodern maid toasterHere’s a fantastic idea — a recessed toaster. This Modern Maid built-in toaster toasts four slices of bread… it’s meant to be hard-wired in between stud walls… I’m not sure if it’s to code today, but it sure is sweet. And — it’s for sale on craiglist near San Diego right now.

modern-maid-toaster-label
Thanks to reader Linda for spotting this beauty. And thanks to the craigslist sellers for giving us permission to archive this shiny relic. The listing says:

This is a one-of-a-kind, vintage built-in chrome 4-slot toaster by Modern Maid (McGraw Edison, then Toastmaster now Salton in case you ever need parts). It is meant to be hardwired of 14-guage (14-2) wire when installing. Cut out dimensions 14 1/2 x 8 inches. Worked fine when we removed it for a kitchen re-model. Chrome exterior is in really good shape (nice and shiny like that 50’s chrome look). This item is a must-have for anyone looking for a true retro look to their kitchen!

Indeed, recessed appliances were “a thing” back in the day. Here are some others that we have show in the past:

  • CLICK HERE to read all of our stories about vintage recessed appliances and accessories in kitchens and bathrooms.

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The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture woddities: wonderful oddities

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27 comments

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    May 9, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    What is the price of the Modern Maid toaster?

    • Pam Kueber says

      May 9, 2020 at 12:57 pm

      Hi Barbara, this story is from 2013 — the craigslist link is long gone…

  2. Jenn says

    February 18, 2020 at 8:22 pm

    We had this Modern Maid toaster in my childhood home. It recently went back on the market so I was looking at the interior pictures and it turns out it’s still installed!

  3. Donna Frese says

    July 20, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    I am looking for an Edison in wall toaster as the one I have just quit working. The one I have does plug into an outlet inside the box where the toaster pushes back into. This was installed when we built our house in 1976. We live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and wonder if anyone might know where this might be repaired or where I can purchase a new one. Thanks so much for your help.

    • Pam Kueber says

      July 20, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Hi Donna, Toaster Central might be able to help you, see >> https://retrorenovation.com/2007/11/26/when-its-toasters-instead-of-torpedoes-vintage-chrome-for-your-40s-50s-or-60s-kitchen/

  4. Becca says

    December 25, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    We have one in the house we just bought, so we were curious about it. Doubt it will make it during renovations so we will probably eBay it.

  5. Kyle says

    May 16, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    This is cool, it reminds me of a built in toaster we had once when I was a kid. Ours was a little different. It was there when we moved in, it was mounted up under the upper cabinets and tilted forward when it opened. I never knew much about it though, it was old, at least as as old as the 70s and sadly it was broken. It WOULD technically toast bread but it only had one setting… black.

  6. Denise Ott says

    November 17, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    I am looking to replace or get parts for my Modern Maid in Wall 4 slice toaster. Same as one in picture at the top. If you can help me please I would appreciate it.

    Thank you
    Denise Ott

    • Pam Kueber says

      November 18, 2017 at 10:20 am

      This story has a source in it that might be able to help you https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/

  7. Jmom says

    June 4, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Stayed with a friend who lives in a very old home in St Louis. She had one but I didn’t know to leave the drawer open during use. Oops.

  8. Linda says

    May 5, 2017 at 7:31 am

    I have the modern maid recessed vintage toaster. Love it! But the handle broke. Where can I find a replacement handle?

    • Pam Kueber says

      May 5, 2017 at 9:13 am

      You can try the source listed in this story, otherwise I am not sure: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/08/29/parts-service-and-advice-to-fix-old-stoves-and-other-vintage-appliances-a-list-of-9-online-resources/

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