How would you make a clear toaster?

Question

Like this one http://www.alvinpoh.com/images/cool-gadgets-invention-stuff/transparent-glass-toaster.jpg

What would you use for the clear sides or the heater?

Answer 1

Most plastics melt with high temperatures so glass is the best option. Unfortunately glass can shatter through unequal heating (even putting glass into hot water can do this) so a glass designed to withstand thermal shock like pyrex would be good.

You need radiant heat to toast things - perhaps a thin conductive coating on the glass would do the trick (high resistance leads to power being consumed and emitted as heat) but unless the glass is opaque to infrared I would think a lot would be wasted. (The alternative of blowing very hot air up the sides would be dangerous for the user.)