A toaster oven is a kitchen necessity that you can use for any meal. If you’re reaching for a bagel, why not pop it into the toaster oven? Making a sandwich for lunch? How about getting that bread nice and crisp in the toaster oven? But with all this toasting, this kitchen appliance will inevitably get dirty, crusty, and smelly.
I am here to gift you the perfect how-to guide to make sure your toaster oven stays in top notch condition. Get ready to say goodbye to any grease and grime, and say hello to a new and improved cleaning routine that will level up all of your toasting needs.
How often should I be cleaning my toaster oven?
If you’re only using your toaster oven to toast bread and any baked goods, then a weekly cleaning routine is recommended. Prioritize emptying out the food tray of any crumbs after each use to avoid burning any leftover pieces. You’ll want to wipe the inside at least once a week with an all-purpose cleaner if you’re working with any messier dishes.
What do I clean my toaster oven with?
This homemade cleaning paste was a fast, easy, and efficient way to keep my toaster oven clean when I lived in a suite with eight other girls. You probably have these ingredients laying around in your house somewhere.
Add 3 tablespoons of water and a half cup of baking soda to a bowl. Mix both ingredients until they combine to create a thick paste with minimal clumps. Use this paste and a cloth or sponge to start scrubbing your toaster oven.
How do I clean my toaster oven?
Make sure that you unplug your toaster oven and let it cool for a few minutes after use. Remove the metal crumb and food trays, and set aside for cleaning later. Lift your toaster oven and tilt to shake out any leftover crumbs that may be hidden in the back.
Soak food trays in a sink full of warm and soapy water. Grab a sponge or dish brush to scrape away any food that got left behind or is stuck to the metal. Finally, set them aside to air-dry before you reassemble your toaster oven after cleaning.
Then, take the baking soda paste, and scrub over any grease stains or residue within your oven. You’ll want to scrub the sides, beneath the crumb tray, and the inside of the opening door. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, and let it slightly harden to make sure it soaks up any remaining stain and smells.
After the paste dries, take a sponge and brush away any of the remaining baking soda that might’ve been left behind.
Alternatively, you can look up the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your toaster oven. Most major brands recommend taking out the oven rack and pan and washing it with some soapy, hot water. The crumb tray can be slid open, wiped with a warm cloth, and slipped back into place. They also recommend routinely cleaning the glass door of your toaster oven. For any tough stains, sticky or burnt food, use a heavy duty sponge or scouring pad to scrub it away.
Grab your food trays once they finish air drying and insert them back into place. Once everything is completely dry, go ahead and plug your toaster oven back in for its next use.
How do I clean the outside of my oven?
For a 100% deep clean, you can’t forget the outside of your toaster oven. But this step is probably the easiest of them all. Make sure to grab a clean, damp cloth, and wipe over all sides of the oven and any corners and crevices you might have missed.