The Piece

This is an original Electrahot Style No. 368 electric sandwich toaster, a compact countertop grill produced in Mansfield, Ohio during the late Art Deco era. Designed for preparing toasted sandwiches, grilled cheese, and pressed lunches, the appliance reflects the streamlined industrial styling that defined American kitchen appliances of the late 1930s and early 1940s.

The chrome-plated steel body features geometric ridging across the lid and ribbed brown Bakelite handles on both the latch and side grips. The hinged lid closes tightly over the heated plates using a tension spring system, ensuring even pressure while cooking. When plugged into a standard 110–120 volt outlet, the internal heating element warms the aluminum plates to toast and compress sandwiches inside the chamber.

Electrahot appliances were marketed as modern electric conveniences for the American home, offering quick hot meals with minimal equipment. Today these early countertop grills are appreciated both as decorative kitchen pieces and as examples of early electric appliance design.

About the Maker

Electrahot Manufacturing Company was an American appliance manufacturer based in Mansfield, Ohio. The company produced small electric kitchen appliances during the first half of the 20th century, including sandwich grills, waffle irons, and countertop cooking devices.

During the late 1930s and 1940s, Electrahot appliances reflected the influence of streamlined Art Deco design, combining chrome finishes with molded Bakelite handles and compact mechanical forms. These appliances were designed to be durable, efficient, and visually modern for the rapidly electrifying American kitchen.

Historical Context

The late 1930s marked a major transition in American kitchens as small electric appliances became widely available. Sandwich toasters like the Electrahot allowed households to prepare hot meals quickly without using a full stove.

Manufacturers leaned heavily into streamlined “machine-age” design, featuring chrome plating, curved metal housings, and geometric details that reflected the broader Art Deco movement. Appliances of this period were built with robust metal housings and mechanical components intended to last decades.

Today, early electric grills such as this Electrahot toaster represent a fascinating intersection of industrial design, culinary history, and American manufacturing.

Product Details

Manufacturer: Electrahot Manufacturing Company
Model / Style: No. 368
Origin: Mansfield, Ohio, USA
Estimated Date: c.1938–1946

Electrical Rating:
110–120 volts
660 watts

Materials

• Chrome-plated steel exterior

• Aluminum cooking plates

• Bakelite handles and latch

• Steel hinge with tension spring

Features

• Art Deco streamlined lid design

• Spring hinge compression system

• Locking front latch

• Compact countertop footprint

Condition + Notes

This vintage appliance remains in good vintage condition consistent with age and use.

Observed condition details:

→ Surface scratching and light wear to chrome exterior
→ Interior cooking plates show typical utensil marks from use
→ Original Bakelite handles intact
→ Spring hinge mechanism present and functional
→ Bottom manufacturer stamp clearly visible

Electrical components are original; functionality has not been tested and the appliance is offered as a vintage collectible or display piece unless professionally serviced.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Vintage kitchen appliances capture a moment when everyday objects were built with both durability and design in mind. The Electrahot toaster reflects the optimism of the machine age, when chrome surfaces, clean geometry, and electrical innovation represented the future of the American kitchen.

Whether displayed in a retro kitchen, used as a prop in a styled interior, or collected as an example of early countertop appliance engineering, this Art Deco toaster remains a charming artifact of pre-war domestic design.

From Viridian Eclection

At Viridian Eclection, we seek out pieces that reflect the craftsmanship and design sensibilities of earlier eras. Each object we curate carries a story—from the industrial optimism of early electric appliances to the enduring appeal of well-made household tools.

This Electrahot toaster stands as a small but compelling example of American manufacturing and the evolution of the modern kitchen.