How to clean the toaster from crumbs and deposits inside: an easy way

Electric kitchen appliances make cooking your favourite dishes much easier and faster, but they all have one unpleasant feature: they are not easy to clean. Putting the entire gadget in the sink and washing it thoroughly with water will not work, as it will damage the internal wiring and damage the electronics. So you have to resort to all sorts of tricks. Take, for example, a toaster - a mini-oven for drying bread. It quickly becomes clogged with crumbs and burnt particles, which can have a bad effect on its operation and the taste of new toast. That's why you should know how to clean the inside of your toaster.

The New York Times turned to food journalist Michael Sullivan for advice on this. He has been testing these appliances since 2016 and has cleaned many toasters of different models during this time.

According to Sullivan, to understand that it's time to clean the appliance, you just need to look inside. If you can see enough crumbs in the bread slots to bread a cutlet, it's time to clean it. In addition to spoiling the taste of the toast, they also create a fire hazard. According to the journalist, the ideal cleaning frequency is once a week.

What you will need to clean your toaster

• A soft-bristled baking brush - not silicone. It is good for gently removing crumbs that have stuck to the heating element.
• A long brush. It can be used to remove residues from hard-to-reach corners.
• Paper napkins or a dry towel. Use them to wipe the toaster before switching it on.

• Dishwashing liquid. It helps to remove dirt and grease from the pan and sides of the appliance.
• Dish sponge. Use this to rinse the parts of the toaster.

How to clean the toaster correctly

The first step in cleaning any electrical appliance is to unplug it from the mains. And not just with a button. You need to pull the plug out of the socket. Also, do not clean the toaster if it is still hot after use. Wait until its parts have cooled down.

Use a baking brush to sweep any crumbs off the heating elements of the toaster. Never use sharp objects such as knives or forks. You risk damaging the heating elements. Crumbs often also collect along the bottom edge of the slots under the heat source. A brush can help to sweep them out of the way and into the pan.

Also, don't try to shake out crumbs by turning the toaster upside down and tapping on the walls. According to research conducted by the Ohio State University, this can easily break the thin welded parts and completely disable the appliance. As a last resort, you can gently lay it on its side to brush it off.

When all the crumbs are in the tray, remove it and shake them out into the bin. The part can now be easily cleaned under running water with dishwashing liquid. This is the only part of the toaster that can be cleaned in this way. Make sure that the tray is completely dry before reinserting it. Wipe it with a towel and let it air dry for a while to remove any remaining moisture. Only then replace it.

To clean the exterior of the appliance, wipe it with a damp towel or paper towel. For stubborn stains, use a sponge and dishwashing detergent. However, do not allow water to get inside the slots of the toaster or near the lever, buttons or control panel. After cleaning, wipe the appliance dry. Only then can you plug it back in.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told how to effectively clean the burners of a gas stove.

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