Toaster oven is one of those appliances that is bound to get dirty because of how much we use it on a daily basis. Letting all the dirt stay on the appliance is not a great thing to have because it can breed bacteria or become a reason for fire inside the appliance. Hence, it becomes extremely important to clean up your toaster oven regularly. But How to clean a Toaster Oven? It is an electrical appliance which means you can’t clean it just like that. Certain steps go into cleaning it if followed properly, your toaster oven will also stay clean for a while.
The Right Way to Clean a Toaster Oven
What You Need To Clean A Toaster Oven?
There is a list of prerequisites that you need to catch hold of before you start cleaning up. These have been recommended by most manuals that come along with toaster ovens so you can use them without a second thought.
- You would definitely need a sponge or a soft cloth for all the delicate parts that are there in the toaster oven.
- A non-abrasive cleaner or mild soap would do the perfect job of cleaning the toaster oven.
- Don’t use pads that can put scratches on your toaster oven. Rather get soft sponges.
How to Clean a Toaster Oven?
- The most important of all steps for cleaning a toaster oven is to unplug it first. Make sure you are not close to any electrical point and that the oven itself is disconnected from the plug point. This step ensures you do not get electric shocks later on.
- Never immerse your toaster oven in water, no matter how small it might seem to you or how dirty it is. You will end up getting water into its delicate and complicated parts where water is not supposed to go. Make sure it is dry at all times.
- Start removing the removable elements now, like the crumb tray etc. The crumbs that fall off can be collected on a newspaper and thrown away. Soap would be a good cleaner for these parts that you have removed, and you can scrub off any tough stains if there are any.
- Interior is now the tricky part of cleaning. You can use a homemade cleaning solution or store-bought as well. The cleaning has to be done either way softly because none of the heating elements should get any liquid on them.
- You would be tempted to scrub off any tough stains using an abrasive cleaner, but that will give your toaster oven a lot of scratches. Use a scouring pad instead because it will not give you any such issues.
- Use the soft cloth and sponge till the interiors are completely done. Now, put back the components you removed after they are dry. Before you start using your toaster oven again, make sure it is completely dry.
Toaster Oven Cleaning Hacks
Cleaning is a hard task to accomplish, and some hacks are a blessing for that. Some users have come up with their own hacks which have helped them during their use of a toaster oven.
- The harsh spots that the interior of the toaster oven usually gets can be removed using baking soda. It becomes like a thick paste when you use it, and you can put the same on the stains, and they will come out once you remove them with a washcloth. Baking soda will in no way harm your toaster oven like those harsh cleaning liquids.
- For spots that are hard to reach in your toaster oven, vinegar is the best solution for them. You just clean it with a damp cloth later on without a mess being created. It is best for mild spots in the interiors.
- Careful use of the appliance is one of the best tips you will get; it always goes a long way and lets you use the appliance for a much longer period.
Toaster Oven Maintenance Tips
Once you have cleaned up your toaster oven, it is also important that you keep it clean. The same applies when you have a new toaster oven. These tips can help you use the toaster oven for a longer period than usual.
- Careful use of the appliance is one of the best tips you will get, it always goes a long way and lets you use the appliance for a much longer period.
- Make sure there is a minimum amount of contact of water with the toaster oven because it can mess up the appliance.
- Make sure there is always extra space around the toaster oven because a lot of heat comes out of it which needs to dissipate.
