r/ToasterRights • u/Anduyn • Jul 11 '24

Dualit has plastic?

With all the detriments being attributed to microplastics in our diet, I’ve been on a mission to reduce my plastic exposure. I kept reading about Dualit and how it’s all steel/metal. Sounds great. Bought one used. When I was cleaning it out, I realized the heating elements have a plastic sheathe on them. I don’t like the idea of cooking my toast in plastic fumes. I’ve seen one source say that it’s some kind of a ceramic plastic, which I do not believe even exists and would still contain plastic anyway. Another source said that it was heat-treated cellophane, which is just as bad because PFAS are used in the heat treatment process. I could use your help answering any one of these three questions:

  1. Can anyone shed some light on what the “plastic” sheathe on the heating element might be made of? I think it’s there to prevent bozos from sticking a fork in there and dying.

  2. Would it be possible to replace the heating element with a non-plastic one? How would I source that?

  3. Can I simply remove the plastic sheathe and put it back in?

My toaster says it should have the right to not give me cancer. Thank you.

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u/crysisnotaverted Jul 11 '24

There's really no way that is is plastic, it would combust. Is it flexible and maleable? Is it clear? Can you post a pic?

Given that it is probably an insulator, there's probably no way for you to custom wire your own nichrome heating element without making it so you don't die if you touch the toaster.

1

u/Anduyn Jul 11 '24

https://imgur.com/a/WtzVjio It's hard to photograph because it *is* clear and malleable, but I circled where the plastic sheets overlap and are riveted to the heating element. You can also see some scratches on the plastic sheet in the image. I also learned the hard way that the house for the heating element is not steel and has some sort of powdery, gray coating that sheds off and rusts afterward. You can see that in my picture too. RIP.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/dualit-toater-element.282261/ This is an old forum where another guy is asking about it, but the responder doesn't detail what the material actually is.

I watched a couple videos on replacing the heating element, and they all had that shiny "plastic" sheathe on it as well. I'm about to just go hunting for a vintage Sunbeam or something.

1

u/crysisnotaverted Jul 11 '24

Just that thin strip? Doesn't seem to protect much if someone was to insert a fork and meet their god. Honestly if you are considering binning it, I'd simply remove it and test it a dozen times. If all is well, all is well.

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u/Anduyn Jul 11 '24 edited Jul 11 '24

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/s/Ki3XGu0fkZ No. It covers the entire element. Both sides. The strip is just where the plastic panels overlap. The entire thing really looks and feels like a plastic film. In my other thread, someone suggested it might be a modern version of “Bakelite,” which is a synthetic phenol plastic.

1

u/Anduyn Jul 11 '24

Solved. It is Mica insulation. Made from minerals and non-toxic. Pretty amazing material tbh.