Toaster Oven Cleaning Hacks
If you think toasters are particularly tricky to clean in your kitchen, don’t worry – that’s totally normal. Toasters and toaster ovens can accumulate stuck-on crumbs over time, making them difficult to get clean.
Luckily, there are some effective toaster oven cleaning hacks that you can use to properly and safely tackle a commonly used appliance in your kitchen.
Having a daily, weekly, monthly cleaning routine that you can easily keep up with will go along way to creating a home you love.
Toaster ovens are wonderful things to have in the home.
They can cut the cooking time in half, and they are magical when it comes to toasting muffins, bread, and bagels.
But keeping them clean isn’t always so easy — all that crumbled toast, spills from pizzas, and other random messes that can be so hard to scrub off.
Fortunately, there is some toaster oven cleaning hacks to make the job a bit simpler.
Toaster Oven Cleaning Hacks
Keeping your toaster oven clean is essential to prolong its life and ensure it works at its best.
Taking the time to do a bit of cleaning every week can make a big difference not only with some of the spills that can get really caked on but the safety of the appliance as well.
Luckily the actual cleaning of your toaster oven is quite easy.
You will just need a few items, such as:
- Damp cloth or sponge
- An old unused toothbrush or oven brush
- Baking soda
- Water
- Dishwashing soap
By following this step-by-step process, you will be able to clean your toaster without hassle efficiently!
More Cleaning Resources:
Step #1. Unplug and cool your toaster.
Before you start to clean your toaster oven, make sure to unplug it as a safety precaution.
This is a really important step to remember because it will help to ensure that your toaster oven doesn’t unexpectedly turn on while you’re cleaning it.
D/M Pro Tip: Although toaster fires are infrequent, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. To minimize the risk of an unexpected flare-up, practice caution when using your appliance and unplugging after each use – regardless if the device is new or old.
If a fire or even a spark does occur while in operation, make sure you act quickly by disconnecting from power immediately!
Step #2. Take out the crumb tray.
Start by removing the tray that collects the crumbs in the toaster. If cool, dump any loose crumbs off and wipe the tray down using gentle pressure so you do not deform the tray.
If there is stubborn stuck-on food, let the tray soak in water and dishwashing soap solution for a few minutes. After using a rubber spatula, scrape off any remaining debris and follow with another wash.
By doing this one step routinely, you will prevent an accumulation of grease and debris build-up.
Step #3. Clean the inside.
With the tray still out of the oven, you can work on the rest of the inside more easily.
Using a damp sponge, start wiping the toaster’s interior surface—walls, floor, and ceiling.
For any areas that are hard to reach, use a toothbrush that you have just for cleaning. Gently scrub the corners or other hard-to-reach areas.
This hack is a great way to remove any crumbs or gunk that may have gathered in between the component parts rather than having to shake your toaster to remove crumbs.
Plus, a toothbrush is much easier to maneuver than a traditional oven brush and can get into all of those hard-to-reach areas with ease!
Step #4. Use a DIY oven cleaner for stuck-on food.
For super stubborn messes, you can use a DIY oven cleaner.
DIY Toaster Oven Cleaner
• Mix baking soda and water until you have a thick paste.
• Spread it on the messy areas of your toaster oven.
• Let this sit for around 15 to 20 minutes.
• Scrub away any burnt-on residue using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse and repeat as needed.
Step #5. Clean the exterior and reassemble the toaster.
With the inside done, you can move to the outside of your toaster oven.
Start by wiping everything down with a damp sponge just as you did for the inside. Work on the top, back, and sides. Once cleaned, you can use a microfiber cloth to polish the surface to a nice shine.
If you have a glass front, you can remove any smudges with the baking soda/water mixture from step 4 using the same process to remove grime from the glass door.
D/M Pro Tip: If the controls can be removed, you can put them into a bucket of soapy water, allowing them to soak. Using a toothbrush scrub the knobs and dry them completely before replacing them.
Once your toaster oven is cleaned and completely dry, you can plug it back in and start using it again.
Cleaning a Pop-up Toaster
Just like the regular toaster oven, cleaning a pop-up toaster can be quick and easy using only these five steps:
Step #1. Unplug and Cool the Toaster
To avoid electrical shock or fire hazards, always be sure that the appliance you are working on is unplugged from an electrical outlet.
Step #2. Shake the Crumbs Away
Start by removing the crumb tray and remove any crumbs that have collected on it.
Step #3. Wash the Crumb Tray
If the toaster has a removable crumb tray, you can put it into your sink and wash it with soapy water to remove any stuck-on food. Once done, allow to dry completely before replacing.
Step #4. Remove Crumbs From the Interior
Use a small brush to remove any crumbs that are inside the toaster. You can also turn the toaster over or on its side, allowing any loose crumbs to fall out.
Step #5. Clean the exterior and Reassemble
Wipe the outside of the toaster using a damp sponge dipped in soapy water. Pay extra attention to cleaning the dials or levers on the controls, as well as handles.
Once rinsed, use a microfiber cloth to dry the outside and polish to remove any fingerprints.
Clean and Organize your Kitchen Counter
After cleaning your toaster, be sure to clean where your toaster resides on your counter.
Wipe down the counter and backsplash, along with any nearby cabinets that may be messy as well.
Cleaning and organizing your kitchen counter is a great way to keep your entire kitchen streamlined and organized.
You can invest in a counter slider for your popup toaster. I find that when you pull your toaster out before each use, you will keep your counter cleaner.
Bonus Tip: Know When You Need an Upgrade
It is important to be mindful of when your appliances are ready for replacement. Toasters, blenders – almost any appliance in your home eventually reaches a point where an upgrade may be necessary.
Knowing when that point is will not only save you money – by avoiding paying for unnecessary repairs – but it could help prolong the life of your kitchen tools too.
If you’re unsure if you need to upgrade, you can ask yourself two simple questions:
- Is my current appliance running as well or better than when I got it?
- If not, is it worth investing in repairs?
You can also observe these signs that signify when it’s time for a replacement:
- Worn wires, uneven heat, or other obvious issues.
- Loud noises from the device.
- Poor energy efficiency.
Understanding when appliances need upgrading is crucial for saving money and increasing energy conservation in the long run.
Whether your toaster is new or old, cleaning it regularly will help keep it working properly and protect you from fires.
By following these simple hacks, you can quickly and easily clean your toaster without any special supplies or equipment.
And if your toaster is beyond repair, don’t be afraid and use this as an opportunity to upgrade to a newer model with features that better suit your needs.
I hope you found these toaster oven cleaning hacks helpful for using on your own appliance.