How to Clean a Toaster and Toaster Oven the Right Way

Even though toasters have a reputation for being the quintessential unwanted wedding gift, they are undeniably one of the handiest small appliances on your kitchen counter. While standard pop-up toasters crisp up your morning bagels and bread slices, toaster ovens go a step further, baking everything from mini pizzas to roasted snacks.

However, all that convenience comes with a catch: crumbs. Left unchecked, accumulated crumbs become a serious fire hazard, produce unpleasant burning odors, billow smoke, and ruin the fresh taste of your breakfast. Unlike barbecue grills or cast-iron skillets, your toaster never benefits from old residue.

Here is your step-by-step guide to cleaning both standard toasters and toaster ovens quickly and safely.

How to Clean a Standard Pop-Up Toaster

A quick routine cleaning involves emptying the crumb tray every couple of weeks, while a monthly deep clean keeps the interior coils in top shape.

1. Always unplug first. Before you do anything, disconnect the toaster from the wall outlet and allow it to cool down completely. Safety always comes first.

2. Lay down a clean towel. Crumb cleanup can get messy fast. Laying down a clean kitchen towel or paper towel beneath the toaster catches loose crumbs as you work.

3. Empty the crumb tray. Slide out the removable crumb tray located at the bottom of the unit. Dump the debris into the trash and wipe the tray down with a damp microfiber cloth.

4. Dislodge interior crumbs with a toothbrush. Never stick metal utensils inside or soak the interior slots. Instead, take a clean, dry, soft-bristled toothbrush (or a dry pastry brush) and gently sweep down the internal grates. Work from top to bottom so the trapped bits drop straight through the open bottom.

5. Wipe down the exterior. Dampen a soft sponge with warm water and a few drops of gentle dish soap, then wipe the exterior casing. Wring out the sponge thoroughly beforehand to keep moisture from dripping into the electrical elements.

• Stainless steel polish: If your toaster has a stainless steel finish, mix cream of tartar with a few drops of water into a paste. Buff it gently over the exterior with a microfiber cloth to bring back its brilliant shine.
• Remove stubborn scuffs: If plastic grocery bags melted against the warm surface or stray ink marks appeared, dab a small amount of acetone on a cotton pad and wipe them away effortlessly.

How to Deep-Clean a Toaster Oven

Toaster ovens have more interior surface area, but maintaining them is just as straightforward:

1. Unplug and let it cool. Pull the plug, wait until the appliance is completely cool, and remove the wire racks, baking pans, and crumb tray.
2. Scrub removable parts. Wash the wire racks and crumb tray in the sink using warm water and a sponge. For baked-on grease spots, a paste made of cream of tartar and water works wonders to loosen grime without scratching delicate metal.
3. Wipe down the interior and exterior. Use a damp sponge dipped in mild soapy water or your cream of tartar paste to wipe the interior walls, ceiling, and glass door. Avoid scrubbing the heating elements directly.
4. Rinse with a clean cloth. Wipe away soap residue inside and out using a damp cloth wrung out with clean water.
5. Dry completely and reassemble. Let the oven air dry thoroughly. Make sure the racks and crumb tray are completely dry before sliding them back into place.

Essential Tips and Safety Precautions

• Establish a regular schedule: Give your toaster a quick shake over the trash every week or two, and perform a deep clean once a month to stop grease from baking on permanently.
• Never clean while plugged in: It sounds obvious, but never reach into or wipe down an appliance connected to power.
• Keep liquids away from heating elements: Pop-up toaster interiors cannot be rinsed under running water, so never use liquid soaps or dripping wet sponges inside the slots.