Guidelines for Cleaning a Toaster Oven

Cleaning your toaster oven after you use it prevents a squalid buildup of food spatters and crumbs.

  • Wipe the exterior of the oven and the crumb tray regularly; wipe the interior of the oven with a warm dishwashing solution after cooking greasy foods. A synthetic scouring pad will remove stubborn soil from the tray and racks. The plastic parts are best cleaned with a warm detergent solution.
  • Clean a toaster oven only when it is cool and has been disconnected.
  • Never immerse the oven in water, and don't use harsh abrasives, steel wool, or a commercial oven cleaner to clean a toaster oven.

Cleaning Toasters

Toasters are crumb catchers and smudge collectors. They need regular attention to keep them clean, shiny, and crumb-free. Here's what you should do:

  • Remember to unplug the toaster and let it cool before cleaning it. Never immerse the toaster in water.
  • Wipe the exterior of the toaster regularly. Remove the crumb tray at the base of the toaster and shake out accumulated crumbs; wash the tray in warm soapy water. ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.Get rid of crumbs by cleaning the crumb tray at the base of the toaster.
  • If your toaster does not have a crumb tray, turn the toaster upside down and shake it over the sink or a large garbage can.
  • Use a thin soft brush to remove crumbs from the interior.
  • Metal utensils should not be used to clean the inside of the toaster.

In the final section of this article, we'll find out what it takes to clean a waffle iron.