How to clean a toaster: crumb tray, slots and outside

Step by step: how to clean a toaster

Safety first. Always unplug the toaster and let it cool before cleaning. Never put a knife, fork or any metal into the slots, even to free stuck toast: it can damage the elements and cause an electric shock. Do not immerse the toaster in water.

1. 1

   Unplug and let it cool

   Pull the plug from the wall, not just the switch, and wait until the toaster is cool to the touch. The crumb tray is hot right after toasting, so give it 15 to 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Empty the crumb tray

   Slide the crumb tray out from the bottom or back and shake the crumbs into the trash. KitchenAid recommends emptying it after every use. If your toaster has a hinged bottom instead of a tray, open it over the trash.

3. 3

   Shake out the slots

   Hold the toaster upside down over the trash or a sheet of newspaper and shake it gently from side to side. Crumbs that slipped past the tray will fall out. Do not bang it on the counter; that can bend the elements or the lever.

4. 4

   Brush the inside

   Run a soft, dry pastry brush or a clean paintbrush down each slot to loosen crumbs stuck to the wire guards, then shake again. Keep it dry and gentle; the heating wires are thin and break easily.

5. 5

   Wash the crumb tray

   Wash the tray in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge, rinse and dry it completely. KitchenAid says its crumb trays are hand wash only. Slide it back in until it clicks; never run the toaster without the tray in place.

6. 6

   Wipe the outside

   Wipe the body with a soft cotton cloth dampened with warm water, then dry it with a second cloth. For greasy fingerprints, add a drop of dish soap to the cloth and wipe again with plain water to remove the residue. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the toaster.

7. 7

   Polish the lever and controls

   Wipe the lever, dials and buttons with the damp cloth, then buff the whole toaster dry. Plug it back in only when everything is completely dry.

Why do toaster crumbs matter?

Crumbs are a fire risk, not just a mess. The Breville toaster manual warns that letting crumbs build up in the tray can cause a fire and damage the toaster, and says never to use the toaster without its crumb tray in position.

Old crumbs also burn every time you toast, which is the smoky, bitter smell some toasters give off. If your toaster smokes even with a clean tray, unplug it and check the slots for a stuck piece of bagel or pastry filling. A toaster that smells of hot plastic, sparks, or keeps tripping a breaker should be unplugged and replaced, not cleaned.

What not to use on a toaster

Keep anything wet, metal or abrasive away from the inside of a toaster. Manufacturers are specific about this:

• Metal scouring pads: Breville warns that pieces can break off the pad, touch electrical parts and create a shock hazard.
• Knives or forks in the slots: they can damage the elements and cause electrocution. Unplug, let it cool, and use wooden tongs instead.
• Paper towels, abrasive cleansers and liquid cleaning sprays: KitchenAid’s cleaning instructions say not to use them, because they can scuff the finish.
• Water: never submerge a toaster or rinse it under the tap. Only the crumb tray gets washed.

How often should you clean a toaster?

Empty the crumb tray after each use if you can, and give the toaster a full clean inside and out about once a week. KitchenAid suggests a weekly clean for regular use, and once a month if you toast less often.

A toaster oven needs more attention because grease and cheese drip onto its tray and walls; see how to clean a toaster oven. Add the toaster to the weekly countertop wipe-down in our kitchen cleaning checklist.

Mistakes to avoid

• Shaking or brushing the toaster while it is still plugged in.
• Poking a knife into the slots to rescue a stuck bagel.
• Running the toaster without the crumb tray, or with a tray full of old crumbs.
• Spraying cleaner straight onto the toaster, where it drips into the slots.
• Rinsing the whole toaster under the tap.
• Banging the toaster on the counter to knock crumbs loose, which can bend the lever or the wire guards.