You might carelessly place a frozen pizza or a couple sourdough slices on the toaster oven’s baking sheet. However, when was the last time you cleaned your toaster oven?
You should clean this small appliance frequently to prevent any food buildup, just like you would your oven. According to Laurie M. Klein, a home economist for Hamilton Beach, a manufacturer of toaster ovens and other small appliances, “people use their toaster ovens for anything from roasting meats to baking casseroles and other products.”
So there could be a buildup of grease and various food splatters within a toaster oven that could catch fire at high temperatures.
How To Clean A Toaster Oven?
Here are five easy methods to complete the task without using harsh chemicals.
Step 1: Unplug It
Priorities first According to Cindy Fisher, the lead test engineer for countertop appliances at Consumer Reports, you should always unplug your toaster oven before you start cleaning it. Before moving on to step two, unplug the device from the power source and make sure the oven is cool.
Step 2: Remove and Clean the Components
Remove the metal tray, rack, and lower crumb tray from the toaster oven and put them in the sink after setting it on a piece of newspaper to catch the crumbs. To clean these components, use water and dish soap. Fisher advises soaking these removable items in the sink all night to get rid of any difficult stains. While you clean the remainder of the appliance, let them totally dry.
Step 3: Use a Homemade Cleaner
Use vinegar, warm water, and a little dish soap to make your own cleaning solution for the toaster oven’s interior. Fisher advises using a moist sponge to apply it to the interior, but to avoid getting any liquid on the heating elements.
Step 4: Apply Elbow Grease
Some toaster ovens include nonstick or porcelain enamel inside, which make cleaning them a little bit simpler. However, harsh cleaners and metal scouring pads can harm it. Instead, clean the inside of your toaster oven with a sponge, a towel, or an old rag. Use a plastic scouring pad for tough stains, advises Klein.
Step 5: Repeat If Necessary
Our engineer suggests cleaning up any difficult-to-remove food particles after using your toaster oven. Fisher suggests cleaning the oven while it’s still somewhat heated. But once more, make sure to disconnect it first.
She suggests cleaning the inside of your toaster oven and washing off the exterior after each usage.
It could be time to think about a newer model if you’ve neglected yours for too long and discover that the coating is worn out or the oven isn’t operating as effectively as it once did.
Cleaning and Maintenance Advice for Your Toaster Oven
When you adhere to a few guidelines, maintaining your toaster oven is simple:
- Crumbs should be brushed out of the toaster oven after each usage to keep them from sticking and burning.
- At least once per week, clean the toaster oven’s interior and exterior.
- Use chemical cleaners only if the manufacturer advises you to.
- When cleaning, avoid using scouring pads or brushes with harsh bristles to avoid harming the toaster oven’s finish.
How to Clean Toaster Oven Glass
The grease buildup that makes toaster oven glass such a catastrophe can be removed with a paste of baking soda and water, as well as a possible vinegar spray. Make sure to let the paste set for at least a few hours so that time may do its thing with your grease buildup (or overnight if you can). Any residual issues can be be dealt with using a Magic Eraser.
How to Clean the Heating Elements in a Toaster
Cleaning the toaster oven heating elements requires extra care. Make sure everything is absolutely cool and that the unit is disconnected by checking again. Don’t scrub the elements too hard or use any kind of cleaner on them. Wipe them off carefully with a moist rag. Use a gentle brush and baking soda paste to remove any baked-on food. Make careful to properly rinse it off before drying it.
Conclusion
Isn’t it satisfying to know how to clean a toaster oven? Check out my cleaning methods for other items in your home if you want to experience that feeling more frequently. If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comment section below.