A conveyor toaster carries bread, bagels or buns on a moving belt past heating elements, so a cook loads one end and collects finished toast at the other without watching a timer. For most restaurants, the right commercial toaster comes down to four numbers: slices per hour at your busiest hour, the height of the product opening, the electrical supply you have, and how much counter space you can give it. This guide walks through each one using the specs on our current listings from Star, APW Wyott and Hatco, then compares nine models.
How a conveyor toaster works
Product enters a horizontal or vertical chamber on a wire belt. Heating elements above and below the belt brown the surfaces, and a speed control sets how long the product stays inside. On most models you adjust two things: belt speed and heat.
Slices per hour: sizing a commercial toaster for your service
Manufacturers rate conveyor toasters by slices per hour, and our listings run from 350 slices per hour (APW Wyott XTRM-1) up to 1,400 (Star QCS3-1400BH). Treat that number as a ceiling. The XTRM-1 listing notes that you slow the belt for thicker bread or darker toast, and a slower belt means fewer slices out the end.
Example: breakfast rush math
This is an illustration, not a rule. Say a hotel breakfast serves 150 guests in its busiest hour and each guest takes 2 slices. That is 300 slices in the peak hour. Doubling the peak to cover surges and darker settings puts you near 600 slices per hour, which points toward a unit like the Star QCS2-800 rather than a 350 slice model. Run the same math with your own covers and peak window.
- Small cafe or low volume line: a smaller unit such as the APW Wyott XTRM-1 (120V) or Star QCS1-350 (the QCS1 listing does not state an hourly rating, so confirm it on the spec sheet).
- Busy breakfast or buffet: 800 to 1,000 slices per hour, for example the Star QCS2-800 or Star QCS3-1000.
- High volume or mixed products: the Star QCS3-1400BH or the two belt Star DT14.
Opening height: bread, bagels and buns
The product opening is the gap between belt and top of the chamber, and it decides what fits. Sliced sandwich bread fits a 1.5 inch opening, which is what the Star QCS1, QCS2-800, QCS3-1000 and the APW Wyott XTRM-1 list. Bagel halves, English muffins, thick Texas toast and many buns call for more room. Our listings with taller openings include the Hatco TQ3-10 at 2 inches, and the Star QCS3-1400BH, Star QCS2-600H and APW Wyott XTRM-3H at 3 inches.
The Star DT14 handles both in one footprint: its listing says the top toaster opening adjusts from 1 inch to 2.25 inches and the bottom toaster is 1.75 inches, with separate belt speed controls.
Radiant vs contact toaster: when you need a bun toaster
Most conveyor toasters are radiant or infrared: elements heat the product across an open gap, so they suit sliced bread and bagels that you want browned on both sides. APW Wyott names several of its XTRM models radiant conveyor toasters, and the Star DT14 uses quartz infrared heaters.
A contact style bun toaster, often called a bun grill, is built around buns for burgers and sandwiches. The APW Wyott M-95-3 bun grill lists 1,300 bun halves per hour (35 second gear), thermostatic control, wet or dry operation, a low profile vertical conveyor and an included butter roller and pan. Burger menus lean toward a bun grill; breakfast toast leans radiant.
Horizontal vs vertical conveyors
The radiant models here use horizontal belts; the M-95-3 uses a vertical conveyor. Measure height and depth at the station before choosing.
One sided vs two sided toasting
Buns and bagels often only need the cut face toasted. The Hatco TQ3-10 is listed as a one or two side conveyor toaster. Models with independent top and bottom heat controls, such as the Star QCS2 and QCS3 series and the APW Wyott XTRM-3 and XTRM-3H, let you turn one side down when you need to.
Conveyor toaster voltage: 120V vs 208V and 240V
Lower volume units often run on 120V. Our 120V options include the Star QCS1-350 and QCS2-500, the APW Wyott XTRM-1_120 and the Hatco TQ3-10 (listed at 1780W). Higher output models move to 208V or 240V single phase, such as the Star QCS2-800, QCS3-1000, QCS3-1400BH and DT14. APW Wyott sells the XTRM-1 in 120V, 208V and 240V versions.
Our listings do not state cord or plug types, so confirm the plug and circuit on the manufacturer spec sheet before ordering, and order the voltage that matches the outlet you actually have. A licensed electrician and local code have the final word on circuits, receptacles and any wiring changes.
Energy saving and standby features
Toasters often sit idle between rushes. The APW Wyott XTRM-1 lists a power saving switch. The Star DT14 listing says you can turn one of its two toasters off during slow periods and bring it back to full power in seconds with its quartz infrared heaters. Other listings here do not mention a standby mode.
Cleaning, crumb trays and daily care
Crumbs build up quickly in a busy toaster. The Star QCS1 series lists a crumb tray, a full width burn guard, an extended conveyor belt and a heated holding area for finished toast. The XTRM models sit on 1 inch adjustable legs, which leaves room to wipe underneath. Empty the crumb tray daily and follow the manual’s cleaning steps. Always unplug and let the unit cool first.
Conveyor toaster comparison table
| Model | Type | Output (listed) | Opening | Belt width | Voltage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star QCS1-350 | Conveyor | Not listed | 1.5 in | Not listed | 120V | $1,238 |
| Hatco TQ3-10 | One or two side conveyor | Not listed | 2 in | Not listed | 120V, 1780W | $943.80 |
| APW Wyott XTRM-1_120 | Conveyor, power saving switch | 350 slices/hr | 1.5 in | 10 in | 120V | $2,651.55 |
| Star QCS2-800 | Conveyor | 800 slices/hr | 1.5 in | 10 in | 208V | $2,643 |
| Star QCS3-1000 | Conveyor | 1,000 slices/hr | 1.5 in | 14 in | 208V | $3,380 |
| APW Wyott XTRM-3H_240 | Conveyor | 800 slices/hr | 3 in | 13 in | 240V | $4,153.60 |
| Star QCS3-1400BH | Conveyor | 1,400 slices/hr | 3 in | 14 in | 208V | $4,356 |
| APW Wyott M-95-3_208 | Bun grill, vertical | 1,300 bun halves/hr | Not listed | Not listed | 208V | $4,672.80 |
| Star DT14 | Dual belt, quartz infrared | Not listed | 1 to 2.25 in top, 1.75 in bottom | Not listed | 208V | $7,102 |
Prices and specs are from our product listings at the time of writing. Browse more from Star, and see our commercial kitchen equipment guide for what to buy first when outfitting a kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
How many slices per hour do I need from a conveyor toaster?
Estimate the slices served in your busiest hour, then add headroom for surges and darker settings, since slower belt speeds lower real output. Run that math for your own peak hour; in the hotel example above it lands near 600 slices per hour.
What opening height works for bagels?
Plan on 2 inches or more for bagel halves and thick bread. In our range, the Hatco TQ3-10 lists a 2 inch opening, several Star and APW Wyott models list 3 inches, and the Star DT14 top toaster adjusts up to 2.25 inches.
Radiant vs contact toaster: which is better for burger buns?
A contact style bun toaster or bun grill, such as the APW Wyott M-95-3, is built for buns and lists 1,300 bun halves per hour. A radiant commercial toaster is the more flexible choice for bread and bagels.
Can I plug a commercial toaster into a standard outlet?
Some 120V models may work on an existing circuit, but higher output units run on 208V or 240V. Check the spec sheet for amperage and plug type, and have a licensed electrician confirm the circuit meets local code.
For more equipment comparisons, read conveyor oven vs deck oven, our charbroiler buying guide and our countertop food warmer guide. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and smaller orders ship for a $200 flat rate. Questions about voltage, opening height or spec sheets? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon to Fri 9AM to 6PM PST, and review our return and refund policy before you order.
