Some appliances, such as waffle irons, sandwich presses, and toasters, come in direct contact with food. To keep the appliance sanctuary, you usually clean sandwich presses and waffle irons after each use. After all, you can see bits of stuck-on waffle batter, cooking oil, or crumbs when you open the machine. However, toasters tend to get overlooked because the deep slots hide crumbs and airborne dust that drifts into the holes
Even so, toasters can become unsanitary without regular cleaning, and contaminants might even produce smoke. Dirty toasters don’t just cause a hygiene issue. They could even pose a fire hazard.
Consumer Reports found that toasters caused over 1,300 fires in the United States over a recent five-year period.
Take a moment to learn the best way to keep toasters more hygienic and safe.
How to Get the Inside of a Toaster Clean
To clean your toaster properly, you should follow these simple steps:
- Always unplug the toaster before performing any cleaning or maintenance.
- Flip the toaster upside down over a sink or garbage can to dislodge any loose crumbs.
- Turn the toaster right side up and gently remove the bottom tray. Wash the tray in the sink with warm water and dishwashing soap. If the toaster lacks a removable tray, skip this step.
- Use a pastry brush, toothbrush, or similar implement to gently remove remaining debris from the bread slots. Note: Never stick any implements in a plugged-in toaster.
- Completely dry the bottom tray before returning it to the toaster.
You should also clean the outside of the toaster. Before plugging the toaster in again, wipe the outside of the toaster with a damp paper towel or dishcloth. A little dish soap can help remove stubborn spots. Try using a toothbrush with a bit of baking soda on any stubborn stains. However, a mild solution of vinegar and warm water works well on chrome or stainless steel but might prove too harsh for painted surfaces.
How Often to Clean a Toaster?
CNET observed that the lack of a door over the slots on toasters makes them particularly vulnerable to dust, lint, and sometimes even insects. Some people keep their toasters under a cover or inside a cupboard to keep them cleaner. Of course, these small appliances also gather plenty of crumbs.
People who use their toasters daily should probably clean them at least once a week. If the toaster gets tucked away between infrequent uses, it may not need such regular cleaning. Still, prudent cooks will probably want to give the toaster a good shake over the garbage before stowing it away and before plugging it in.
Do Toasters Need Warranties?
A toaster or toaster oven is one of the
small appliances almost everybody needs to have in their kitchen. Since most families rely upon them almost every day for toast, toaster pastries, pancakes and waffles, a broken toaster could mean a disappointing breakfast or lunch.
Some highlights of Upsie toaster insurance plans include:
- They charge up to 70 percent less for a toaster warranty than other warranty companies.
- Upsie offers 24-7 customer claims support and lets their customers choose between local and mail-in repairs.
- Upsie coverage repairs damage from electrical shorts, mechanical problems, heating issues, power failures, and more.
- If repairs don’t make sense on the first claim, Upsie will send a brand-new toaster.
Besides toasters and other small appliances, Upsie also offers warranty protection for
large appliances and
electronics. Enjoy a clean, safe toaster and Upsie warranty protection!
Learn More About Small Appliances: