Quick Answer: The BALMUDA Toaster
- What it is: Japan's iconic steam toaster — a compact design-led oven toaster that uses a little water to give bakery-quality toast.
- Best for: anyone who loves great toast and pastries, and wants a beautiful, versatile 2-slice toaster-oven.
- Price & colours: White £439.90; Black & Beige £459.90.
- Verdict: premium, but the steam toast quality and design genuinely justify it.
The BALMUDA The Toaster is the appliance that made "steam toasting" famous. A small amount of water creates a thin layer of steam that transforms ordinary bread into toast with a crisp, fragrant surface and a soft, moist centre — the kind you'd expect from a bakery. This guide explains how it works, its modes, the specs, whether it's worth it, and how to buy the genuine UK version.
How the steam technology works
The decisive factor is the 5 cc of water you pour in before toasting. As the toaster heats, that water becomes steam. Because steam conducts heat far more efficiently than air, a thin layer envelops the bread, lightly toasting the surface while sealing in moisture and aroma. The result: a crisp outside and a fluffy, moist inside — from everyday sliced bread to artisan loaves.
The five modes
BALMUDA The Toaster has four steam bread modes — each tuned to a different kind of bread — plus a Classic mode for oven cooking without steam.
- Toast — everyday sliced bread, bagels and English muffins. Crisp outside, moist inside.
- Cheese Toast — cheese toast and pizza toast; higher top heat browns the cheese and toppings.
- Baguette — French bread and crusty rolls; warms through while keeping a crisp shell and airy interior.
- Croissant — croissants, scones and other buttery pastries; warm and crisp without burning.
- Classic (170 / 200 / 250°C) — manual cooking with no steam, for gratins, frozen food, rice cakes and more.
3rd Gen (K05E): what's improved
The current 3rd generation (K05E) refines the formula BALMUDA perfected over years of testing — precise temperature control, the signature steam system, a satisfying analogue dial and a cleaner interface — in the same compact, kitchen-friendly footprint.
Dimensions & specs
| Size (W×D×H) | 357 × 321 × 209 mm |
| Weight | approx. 4.4 kg |
| Capacity | 2 slices |
| Power | 1300 W |
| Voltage | 220–240V, fitted UK 3-pin plug |
| Power cord | 1 metre |
Is it worth it?
At £439.90–£459.90, the BALMUDA Toaster is a premium buy — but there are good reasons it has such a following. The steam system genuinely lifts everyday toast, day-old bread and pastries to a different level, and the build and design are beautifully considered, right down to the weighted dial and the way it looks on the worktop. It's also a versatile little oven, not just a toaster. If you value great bread and thoughtful design, it earns its place; if you only ever want plain toast, a basic toaster will do.
Colours, the enamel tray & buying in the UK
Choose from White (£439.90), Black and Beige (£459.90). Every unit we sell is the genuine 220–240V UK version with a fitted 3-pin plug — no transformer or adapter needed — and is backed by HappyCare, our UK after-sales support.
Pair it with the BALMUDA × Nodahoro Enamel Tray (£19.90) — a hand-crafted, Made-in-Japan enamelware tray. Used with Classic mode, it turns The Toaster into a genuinely handy mini-oven for recipes well beyond bread — gratins, roasted vegetables, small bakes and reheated dishes — so you get far more out of the machine.
Shop BALMUDA The Toaster
Genuine UK BALMUDA The Toaster
Authentic 220–240V with a fitted UK plug and HappyCare after-sales support.
Shop toasters & ovensFrequently asked questions
Q: How does the BALMUDA steam toaster work?
A: You pour about 5 cc of water in before toasting. As the toaster heats, the water becomes steam, and a thin steam layer envelops the bread — lightly crisping the surface while keeping the inside soft and moist.
Q: What modes does it have?
A: Four steam bread modes — Toast, Cheese Toast, Baguette and Croissant — plus a Classic mode (170 / 200 / 250°C) for oven cooking without steam, such as gratins and frozen food.
Q: What are the dimensions?
A: Approximately 357 (W) × 321 (D) × 209 (H) mm, weighing about 4.4 kg, with a 2-slice capacity. It's compact enough for most worktops — measure your space if it sits under a wall cabinet.
Q: Is the BALMUDA Toaster worth the money?
A: For lovers of great bread and design, yes. The steam system noticeably improves toast, day-old bread and pastries, the build quality is excellent, and Classic mode makes it a versatile mini-oven — not just a toaster.
Q: Is it compatible with UK plugs and voltage?
A: Yes. Every unit we sell is the genuine 220–240V version with a fitted UK 3-pin plug — no transformer needed — and is backed by HappyCare, our UK after-sales support.
Q: How is it different from a normal toaster?
A: A regular toaster only dries and browns bread. The BALMUDA uses steam plus precise temperature control to crisp the outside while keeping the inside moist, and its Classic oven mode lets it bake and reheat dishes a pop-up toaster can't.
Written by the Happycooking UK Editorial Team — specialists in genuine Japanese and premium home appliances for UK kitchens. We test, use and support every product we sell.