Toaster TLC: Keeping Your Kitchen's Best Friend Crisp and Clean!

Credits to Seriously Low Carb

An underrated but dependable appliance in your household, the trusty toaster is often overlooked in our kitchen cleaning routines. Tiny but mighty, the little toaster works hard to produce evenly browned crusty toast, and delicious warm pockets of pastry. To preserve the taste of your favourite Pop-tart or toast - and reduce chances of creating a fire hazard, your toaster deserves a little more love to keep it working!

While brushing aside little crumbs helps aid in clearing the crumbs and food residue, the toaster does indeed require a more thorough cleaning from time to time. The accumulated crumbs, oils and debris may compromise your toast and pose a fire hazard in your household. Your toast coming out unevenly toasted? An unpleasant burning smell is wafting around the kitchen? Grab your cleaning cloth and get started !

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For the fuss-free and minimalist pop-up toaster, here is a list of tools to add to your cleaning arsenal :

Materials

• Small brush or a new toothbrush

• Sponge / dishcloth

• Microfiber cloth

• Dishwashing liquid with a degreaser

• A container to hold a cleaning solution

Collected your tools? Roll up your sleeves and let’s get started!

1. Unplug your toaster and ensure that your plug is safely away from a water source.

2. Remove the crumb tray and dispose of the bits of debris and crumbs into the compost.

3. Use your brush and briefly brush around the mouth of the toaster and tip the remaining crumbs in the toaster into the compost.

4. Make a cleaning solution from warm water and dishwashing liquid. Submerge only the crumb tray in the soapy water (and not the toaster)

5. Rinse the crumb tray and dry it thoroughly.

6. Dip your sponge in a new container of cleaning solution and wipe down the exterior of the toaster.

7. Dry thoroughly with a cloth

8. Reassemble the toaster and enjoy your toast!

Caution! When dealing with electrical appliances, ensure that your cleaning cloth is damp and not wet. This is to reduce chances of getting an electric shock.

Pro tip! Want to spruce up your stainless steel toaster? Damp a clean cloth with distilled white vinegar and wipe it down to leave it spotless and shining for your next use!

Credit to Sara Julie

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Are you the proud owner of a toaster oven? Hardworking and reliable, this appliance requires a little more dedication in return for reheating and cooking a more extensive menu than the classic pop-up toaster. The effort you put into cleaning will show in your next use!

Materials

• Small brush or a new toothbrush

• Sponge / dishcloth

• Microfiber cloth

• Dishwashing liquid with a degreaser

• A container to hold a cleaning solution

• Baking soda

• White distilled Vinegar

1. Unplug the oven and ensure the appliance is completely cool.

2. Remove the cooking tray and rack.

3. Make a cleaning solution from dishwashing liquid, white vinegar and warm water.

4. Soak the tray and rack in the cleaning solution, using a sponge to dislodge any stubborn stains and debris.

5. Tip the crumbs out of the toaster oven gently into your compost. Brush out any remaining crumbs from hard to reach angles with your brush.

6. Damp your sponge with the cleaning solution and wipe down the interior of the oven, avoiding the heating elements.

7. Dry the interior with your cloth.

8. Damp a clean cloth and wipe down the outside of the toaster over.

9. Reassemble and rejoice! A warm hot toast awaits!

Pro tip! There a stubborn char not dislodging from its spot? Not a problem! Create a paste with baking soda and water. Dip an unused toothbrush into the paste and swab it gently across the burnt lump!

Another pro tip! Has the glass of your toaster oven door been marred by stains? Has cleaning left smudges? Have no fear, whip out your handy cloth and a bottle of distilled white vinegar! Drip a few drops of vinegar and leave it on the glass door for a few minutes before wiping it off and letting it shine!

And there you have it, while a seemingly daunting task, you now have a freshly cleaned appliance just waiting to pop out your next breakfast or to reheat that leftover pizza slice to crisp goodness!

Credits to Andrew Valdivia

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Perhaps you own a slightly more advanced appliance - an air-fryer toaster! This smart gadget not only heats up that left over cheese toast, but also has the ability to reheat those leftover chicken strips you did not finish from dinner.

Materials

• Dishwashing liquid with degreaser

• Cloth / Sponge

• Container for cleaning solution

• Small brush

1. Unplug the air-fryer and ensure that the appliance is cool to touch

2. Remove the air fryer basket, crisper plate and rack.

3. Make a cleaning solution from dishwashing liquid, white vinegar and warm water.

4. Soak the removable parts in the cleaning solution for at least 20 minutes, using a sponge to scrub gently.

5. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely!

6. Sweep crumbs gently from the airfryer oven into your compost. Brush out any remaining crumbs from hard to reach angles with your brush.

7. Damp your sponge with the cleaning solution and wipe down the interior of the oven, avoiding the heating elements.

8. Dry the interior with your cloth.

9. Damp a clean cloth and wipe down the outside of the air fryer.

10. Et voilà ! Your appliance is free from old smells and is ready for its next usage!

For a deeper clean, sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda across the air fryer basket and accessories and drizzle dishwashing liquid across. Fill the basket halfway with boiling water and allow it to cool. This would help break down the grease and oils that are stuck to the basket.

Pro tip! Not a fan of the residue sour vinegary smell? No worries, make a paste with baking soda and lemon juice. The fresh citrus helps neutralize strong odours and is also handy in removing tougher grease!

Credits to Julie Zolotova