How to Clean a Toaster Oven & Toaster

Your toaster and toaster oven work hard every day, preparing breakfast and reheating your favorite snacks. But making toast can quickly turn into a fire hazard if your toasting appliances aren’t properly maintained. Keeping them clean also helps prevent bacteria growth, eliminates lingering odors, and keeps your toast tasting great.

Toasters and toaster ovens are among the most common places you likely forget to clean in the kitchen, often overlooked until problems arise — so read on to learn how to keep them clean, sanitary, and safer.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Environmentally responsible cleaning supplies are safer for your home and the planet, and you can often find them in your kitchen cupboards. Tackle the grime on your toaster or toaster oven with these everyday household supplies:

• Soft cloth or sponge

• Dish soap

• Baking soda and vinegar

• Toothbrush or small brush

• Microfiber cloth

• Butter knife or thin spatula

• Trash bag to catch crumbs

How to Clean a Toaster: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to restore your toaster to peak toasting performance.

Step 1: Unplug and Cool Down

Safety always comes first. Unplug your toaster from the wall outlet, and wait about 30 minutes or until it’s completely cool. Attempting to clean a toaster while it’s plugged in or still warm risks electrical shocks or burns.

Step 2: Remove and Empty the Crumb Tray

Most modern toasters feature a removable crumb tray. Slide the tray out carefully, and dispose of the crumbs. Wash the tray with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before replacing.

Step 3: Shake Out Loose Crumbs

Flip your unplugged toaster upside down over a trash bag. Gently shake it to release loose crumbs from the interior. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to carefully dislodge stubborn crumbs, but avoid using metal utensils near the heating elements.

Step 5: Wipe Down the Exterior

Clean the outside of your toaster with a soft cloth dampened with warm, soapy water. Work a microfiber cloth along the grain to clean stainless steel toasters and prevent streaks. Dry the exterior thoroughly with a clean towel, and let the inside dry before plugging it back in.

Bonus: How to Clean the Inside of Your Toaster

* If your toaster strudels have left their mark on the inside of your toaster, use a long, damp cotton swab to wipe it clean. For stubborn messes, dip a damp swab in baking soda and scrub, then “rinse” with a clean, damp cotton swab.

How to Clean a Toaster Oven

As they bake and broil, toaster ovens collect grease and crumbs in hard-to-reach spots. Here’s how to give your toaster oven a thorough cleaning.

Step 1: Unplug and Cool Down

Unplug your toaster oven and wait for it to cool. Toaster ovens need at least an hour to cool since they retain heat longer than standard toasters.

Step 2: Remove Racks and Trays

Take out the removable components, including wire racks, baking trays, and crumb trays. Soak these parts in warm, soapy water while you clean the main unit. Create a soaking solution with equal parts vinegar and warm water to break down baked-on food and grease.

Step 3: Clean the Interior

Create a cleaning paste of baking soda and water, then apply it to the toaster oven’s interior, avoiding the heating elements and fans. Let the paste work for 15 minutes on any grease at the bottom of the oven before scrubbing with a soft brush. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove baking soda and other residue, and save any leftover baking soda paste to clean your dirty microwave or other appliances.

Step 4: Clean the Glass Door and Exterior

Often used for descaling coffee pots, vinegar is a natural remedy for the grease buildup on your toaster oven’s glass door. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray the mixture onto the glass, and wipe with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to clean the exterior, focusing on control knobs and handles.

Step 5: Dry and Reassemble

After cleaning all components, ensure everything is completely dry before reassembling the toaster oven. Wet parts can cause electrical hazards or promote rust development. Once dry, plug the toaster oven back in.

Maintenance Tips

Regular maintenance helps prevent major cleaning challenges and extends the lifespan of your toaster and toaster oven, just like routinely cleaning the dishwasher and other kitchen appliances. Follow these simple tips:

• Empty crumb trays weekly to reduce fire hazards and discourage pests.

• Wipe down exteriors after each use to keep grease from building up.

• Once the appliance cools, clean up spills promptly so they don’t leave stains.

• Inspect cords regularly for damage and electrical hazards.

• Store appliances in dry locations to prevent rust and moisture damage.

When to Replace Instead of Clean

Sometimes, cleaning isn’t enough to restore your toaster and toaster oven. Look for these signs that your appliances are ready for replacement:

• Rust on interior surfaces.

• Frayed or damaged electrical cords.

• Cracked, broken, or failing heating elements.

• Faulty or broken doors.

• Broken control knobs.

• Persistent burning odors.

Let Us Handle Your Kitchen Deep Cleaning

Maintaining your toaster and toaster oven is manageable, but comprehensive kitchen cleaning can be overwhelming, especially with busy schedules. While our ultimate kitchen cleaning guide covers every appliance and surface, most would rather spend precious free time doing anything other than scrubbing stubborn grime.