To clean a toaster, unplug it and let it cool, slide out the crumb tray and empty it, wash the tray by hand, and wipe the outside with a soft, barely damp cloth. Then put the tray back until it clicks. Never put a toaster in water, pour anything into the slots, or poke a knife inside.
Empty the crumb tray after every use if you can. That's what KitchenAid's toaster care instructions recommend, and it takes ten seconds. If that won't happen in your house, once a week is a sensible floor. The full clean below is a once-a-month job, or whenever the toaster starts smelling of burnt crumbs before the bread is even in.
Why bother cleaning a toaster?#
Crumbs pile up at the bottom, right under the heating elements, and they burn a little every time you toast. That's the burnt smell. KitchenAid's guide to cleaning a toaster says built-up crumbs can stop the toaster working properly and can become a fire hazard. A full tray is also how toasters end up shedding crumbs all over the counter every time you move them.
How to clean a toaster, step by step#
- Unplug the toaster and give it time to cool. The crumb tray is hot right after toasting.
- Move it next to the bin, away from the sink.
- Slide out the crumb tray. It's usually on the bottom, with a small handle at the back or front. Shake the crumbs into the bin.
- With the tray out, turn the toaster upside down over the bin and give it a few gentle shakes. This drops the crumbs that got caught on the wire guards inside the slots, which the tray never catches.
- For anything still clinging inside, use a dry, soft pastry brush or a clean, dry paintbrush. Keep it dry and keep it gentle; the element wires are thin.
- Wash the crumb tray in warm water with dish soap. KitchenAid's trays are hand-wash only, so don't put yours in the dishwasher unless your manual says it's fine. Dry it completely.
- Wipe the outside with a soft, damp cotton cloth. A drop of dish soap on the cloth handles greasy fingerprints. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth, then dry it.
- Slide the tray back in and press until it clicks into place. KitchenAid says not to use the toaster without the tray properly in position.
- Check the browning dial. It often gets nudged while you wipe.
What not to use on a toaster#
KitchenAid says not to use paper towels, abrasive cleansers, or liquid cleaning products on the outside, because they can leave scuff marks, and never to immerse the toaster in water. Keep water away from the slots, the controls, and the plug.
On a stainless steel toaster, KitchenAid also advises against powders and anything acidic, including vinegar and citrus-based cleaners, which can stain or damage the finish. If your toaster is stainless and smudgy, a damp microfiber cloth with the grain is usually all it needs; our stainless steel appliance guide covers stubborn streaks.
How to get stuck toast out of a toaster#
Unplug it first. Every time.
Then let it cool, turn it upside down, and shake gently. Most stuck bread falls out. If it doesn't, use wooden or plastic tongs to ease it out. Don't use a knife or fork, and don't force the lever down or bend the wire guards to get at it.
If something is wedged deep and won't come out, stop and contact the manufacturer.
How to remove melted plastic from a toaster#
It happens when the bread bag sits too close to a hot toaster. KitchenAid's fix: once the toaster is cool and unplugged, rub the melted plastic gently with a damp sponge or soft toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water. If the mark won't budge, a little nail polish remover on a cotton ball can lift it. Wipe with a damp cloth afterward and skip anything abrasive, which scratches the surface.
What can't go in a toaster?#
KitchenAid says not to put parchment paper, plastic, styrofoam, or aluminum foil in a pop-up toaster slot, because they're a potential fire hazard and can damage the toaster. If you want to toast something with melting cheese, use a toaster bag made for the job, or use a toaster oven.
Cleaning a toaster oven instead?#
A toaster oven is cleaned more like a small oven. KitchenAid's guide says to take out the racks and pan and wash them in hot, sudsy water, brush out and wipe the crumb tray, and use a baking soda and water paste on baked-on stains. Many toaster ovens have nonstick walls, so stick to a damp nylon mesh pad or soft sponge inside, never a metal scourer. Countertop ovens with an air fry mode have the same grease build-up as an air fryer; our air fryer cleaning guide covers the element and basket.
When to replace a toaster#
A burning smell that keeps going after you've emptied it properly, a lever that won't stay down, elements that only glow on one side, or a damaged cord all mean it's time to stop using it. Toasters are cheap enough that repair rarely makes sense.
When you put the toaster back, wipe the counter and the cabinet fronts around it. That's where the crumbs it shed during the shaking ended up.