Quest Toastie Makers: Are They Worth Buying?
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Quest is a budget UK brand whose toastie makers usually cost well under £25, and its deep fill sandwich toaster is a reasonable buy if price is your main concern. You get two sealed triangles and a non-stick coating, but build quality is basic. If you can stretch a few pounds, a Breville or Tower deep fill machine is a safer long-term pick.
Quick answer: On a tight budget, the Quest Deep Fill Sandwich Toastie Maker is the one to buy; avoid the standard 2-portion models unless you only make thin cheese toasties. Want removable plates? The Quest 3-in-1 is cheap, but compare it with the Tower 3-in-1 first. For a few pounds more, the Breville Deep Fill is the better machine.
On this page
The Quest toastie maker range at a glance
Quest (part of the Benross group) sells through Argos, Currys, supermarket marketplaces and Amazon. Its sandwich makers change colour and code fairly often, so treat this as a guide to the types on offer.
| Model / type | Plates | Best for | Typical price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Fill Sandwich Toastie Maker (stainless steel) | Fixed, deep fill, around 900W | Budget buyers who want proper fillings | Usually £15–£25 |
| 2-portion sandwich makers (e.g. 35129 black, 35149 red) | Fixed, standard depth, around 750W | Occasional thin toasties | Usually £12–£20 |
| 3-in-1 Snack Maker (37530) | Removable toastie, panini and waffle, around 900W | Cheap versatility | Usually £25–£35 |
Prices are typical bands, not live prices; Quest models are often on offer, so check the current price.
How the Quest range works
Deep fill vs standard
The Quest deep fill model has deeper wells and is the one most worth buying. The standard 2-portion machines have shallow plates that suit a slice of cheese and not much more. If you like beans, tuna melts or loaded fillings, deep fill makes a big difference. See the deep fill guide.
Power
The deep fill and 3-in-1 machines are listed at around 900W, which is high for this price and helps with quick preheating. The standard models sit at around 750W. Either way, expect roughly 3–5 minutes per toastie after the ready light.
Controls
Like nearly every budget sandwich maker, Quest machines have no temperature dial: a thermostat holds a fixed temperature, with a power light and a ready light. That is fine for toasties; it just means you control browning purely by time.
Plates and cleaning
The deep fill and standard models have fixed plates, so you wipe them clean in place. The 3-in-1 has removable plates, which is much easier. Read our cleaning guide for fixed-plate tips.
Recommended Quest models
Quest Deep Fill Sandwich Toastie Maker
Two deep triangles, a stainless steel lid and a relatively high 900W rating for a very low price. It is a sensible first toastie maker for a student or a shared house. Expect a lighter latch and coating than a Breville; treat it gently and it should serve well for occasional use.
- Deep fill wells at a budget price
- Fast preheat for the money
- Small and light
- Fixed plates
- Basic latch and build
- Coating durability is the usual budget gamble
Quest 3-in-1 Snack Maker
Swappable toastie, panini and waffle plates on a 900W base. The removable plates make cleaning easier than any fixed-plate budget machine. Check whether the listing shows deep fill toastie plates, and compare against the Tower 3-in-1, which is in the same price band. See the 3-in-1 guide.
- Removable plates
- Waffles and paninis too
- Spare plate storage
- Budget build
Reliability, cleaning and warranty
Quest is a value brand, and owner reviews follow the usual budget pattern: plenty of satisfied buyers for the price, and a minority reporting worn non-stick or weak latches after heavy use. To get the most out of one:
- Butter the bread, not the plates, and avoid cooking sprays that can leave a sticky residue.
- Never use metal tools to lift toasties. A silicone spatula is ideal.
- Don't overfill. Strained latches and leaking cheese are the fastest way to wear a budget machine. See how to stop toasties leaking.
Quest products typically carry a manufacturer guarantee; length varies by product and retailer, so check the listing and keep your receipt. If your machine stops heating, our toastie maker not working guide covers what to check and when to replace.
Quest vs other budget brands
Quest competes with Tower, Daewoo, VonShef and supermarket own brands. Differences in the toastie itself are small; what varies is plate depth, whether plates come out, and build.
| Brand | Strength | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Quest | Very cheap deep fill with high wattage | This page |
| Tower | Strong budget 3-in-1 deep fill range | Tower toastie makers |
| Daewoo | Simple deep fill and 3-in-1 models | Daewoo toastie makers |
| VonShef | Amazon-focused 3-in-1 | VonShef toastie makers |
For a ranked list of cheap machines and what to avoid, read best cheap toastie maker. Students should also see the student toastie maker guide.
Where to buy Quest toastie makers
Quest is widely available at Argos, Currys, Tesco's marketplace and Amazon, and occasionally at discount stores. Prices vary a lot between retailers for the same model, so compare. Our Argos toastie maker guide and where to buy hub explain how each shop works.
Watch out: Marketplace listings for the same Quest machine can come from third-party sellers with different returns terms. Check who is actually selling and dispatching before you order.
Getting good toasties from a budget machine
Cheap sandwich makers can make toasties as good as expensive ones if you work with their limits.
- Preheat properly. Wait for the ready light, then give it another minute. Budget thermostats cycle on and off, and a fully hot plate seals the edges before filling escapes.
- Use medium sliced bread. Thick slices strain the latch; thin slices tear. See best bread for toasties.
- Grate the cheese. It melts faster and more evenly than slices, which matters on a machine with no temperature control.
- Keep wet fillings central. Leave a 1cm margin around the edge so the cut-and-seal edges can close on bread, not filling.
- Butter the outside of the bread. It protects the coating and gives a crisper crust than dry bread; butter or mayo explains the difference.
Try the reference method in our cheese toastie recipe for a starting point.
Which Quest model is right for you?
- Student or first flat, toasties only: the deep fill model. It is cheap, small and does the main job.
- Want waffles and easy cleaning: the 3-in-1, if it is cheaper than the Tower equivalent on the day.
- Only ever make a thin cheese toastie: a standard 2-portion model is fine, but the deep fill usually costs little more.
- Cooking for a family: skip Quest's 2-portion machines and look at 4-slice toastie makers.
FAQs
Is Quest a good brand?
Quest is a budget brand that does the basics at low prices. It is fine for occasional use; for daily toasties, a mid-range brand usually lasts longer.
Are Quest toastie maker plates removable?
On the 3-in-1 Snack Maker, yes. On the standard and deep fill sandwich makers, the plates are fixed.
How long do you cook a toastie in a Quest sandwich maker?
Around 3–5 minutes after the ready light comes on, depending on filling. See how long to cook a toastie.