By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated
Based on a video by Mr Gizmo.
That grimy toaster on your counter is more of a fire hazard than you think. Crumbs pack around the heating elements, and when they burn, everything you toast picks up that off flavor. The fix is a lot simpler than you'd expect.
Mr Gizmo walks through the full cleaning process in this video - inside and out - using items you already have at home. A toothbrush, some salt, half a lemon, and a splash of white vinegar. That's it.
The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and leaves your toaster looking and smelling clean.
Before you touch anything, unplug the toaster. Then grab an old toothbrush and use the pointed tip to scrape along the inside walls of each slot. You're loosening the built-up crumbs and carbon that sticks to the inner walls. Go down each slot - there are usually four. You won't get everything, but this knocks off the worst of the buildup and makes the next steps more effective.
Flip to the soft bristle end of the toothbrush and add a small pinch of salt. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive - enough to break down baked-on residue without damaging the coils. Brush gently along both sides of each coil. The key word is gently - these are delicate. This is what gets rid of the burnt smell you get when something toasts too close to a dirty coil.
Tip
Don't press hard on the coils. A light touch with a little salt is enough to clear the residue.
Slide out the crumb tray from the bottom of the toaster - most models have one per slot pair. Take it to the sink and rinse it under running water. Wipe with a sponge or paper towel. If there's a lot of staining or sticky residue, let it soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes before rinsing. These trays catch the bulk of the mess, so keeping them clean goes a long way.
Hold the toaster over a trash can or sink, flip it upside down, and give it several firm shakes. The crumbs that got past the tray - packed into corners and along the bottom element - come falling out. Do this over the sink so cleanup is fast. It's satisfying how much comes out even after cleaning the trays. This is the step people skip, and it makes a real difference.
Point a hair dryer into each slot and run it on cool or low for about 10-15 seconds per slot. The airflow dislodges crumbs that are stuck to the elements in spots your toothbrush can't reach. Do this over the sink or trash can. It looks unconventional but it works - especially for the lip along the top of the slots where things really get trapped.
Tip
Use the cool setting - you don't need heat for this, and cool air is safer near the elements.
Cut a lemon in half and pour some salt onto the cut side. Use the lemon like a scrubbing pad on the exterior of the toaster - the juice cuts through grease and the salt adds just enough abrasion. Work in small circles and cover the whole surface. For spots with more buildup, hold the lemon there for a minute before scrubbing. Wipe off the residue with a damp paper towel and repeat until clean.
Tip
Do this step over a bowl to catch the salt - it gets into every crevice and takes a few wipe-downs to fully clear.
Dampen a cloth or paper towel with white vinegar and wipe down the entire exterior. Vinegar cuts through any remaining grease and leaves stainless steel and chrome looking clean without streaks. Buff dry with a clean dry paper towel. Slide the crumb tray back in. That's it - the toaster's ready to use and should look noticeably cleaner than when you started.
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