Getty / Saowaluck Voraprukpisut.Photo: Getty / Saowaluck Voraprukpisut
Toaster ovens are great for cooking smaller meals or multitasking when your larger oven is already in use. But how often do youactuallyclean your toaster oven? If you can’t remember the last time you gave it a good scrub-down, it may be time to break out the soap and water. Cleaning it regularly isn’t just necessary to keep your appliance working at its best, but experts say a dirty toaster oven can actually be hazardous to your health and home.
“Did you know, if you don’t regularly clean out your toaster oven it can catch fire?” says Rick Hoskins, founder ofFilter King. “All those crumbs at the bottom build up and burn off heating elements.” Plus, CEO ofPest StrategiesEd Spicer says, “Unattended crumbs in your toaster ovens can easily attract ants and cockroaches.”
Here’s the best way to clean your toaster oven, according to experts.
How to Clean Your Oven
How to Clean Your Toaster Oven
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If the pan and the rack are already layered with grime, you should soak them in hot water mixed with dishwashing liquid, says David Cusick, chief strategy officer at home maintenance siteHouse Method. And if residue is really burnt on, you could try applying a simple baking soda paste, adding some vinegar and letting it bubble before scrubbing it off.“Clean the inside, but be careful with the heating element,” says Cusick. “You need to be careful not to scrub the heating element with dish soap. Remove any food debris inside, then scrub it clean and just use a damp dishcloth to clean the heating element gently.“6 Filthy Places in Your Kitchen You Should Be Cleaning Every DayHeloise Blause, former professional chef and current blogger atHomeKitchenLand, has a trick for cleaning out those hard-to-reach areas inside your toaster oven. First, find the biggest bowl that can fit into your toaster oven while leaving an inch of space between the bowl and the top of the oven.“It doesn’t have to be toaster oven safe, because we’re not turning the toaster oven on, but it should be safe to hold boiling water,” says Blause.Fill the bowl with one part water and one part white vinegar, then transfer that mixture to a pot and boil it on the stove. When it comes to a rolling boil, immediately transfer the mixture back to the bowl. Put it back in the toaster oven, close the door and let it sit for 10 minutes. The steam will stick to the inside of the appliance and start to break down the grease, so all you have to do is wipe the surfaces down with a wet cloth.“If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar like me, add a few drops of lemon juice to the boiling mixture,” adds Blause. “It smells a lot better!”
If the pan and the rack are already layered with grime, you should soak them in hot water mixed with dishwashing liquid, says David Cusick, chief strategy officer at home maintenance siteHouse Method. And if residue is really burnt on, you could try applying a simple baking soda paste, adding some vinegar and letting it bubble before scrubbing it off.
“Clean the inside, but be careful with the heating element,” says Cusick. “You need to be careful not to scrub the heating element with dish soap. Remove any food debris inside, then scrub it clean and just use a damp dishcloth to clean the heating element gently.”
6 Filthy Places in Your Kitchen You Should Be Cleaning Every Day
Heloise Blause, former professional chef and current blogger atHomeKitchenLand, has a trick for cleaning out those hard-to-reach areas inside your toaster oven. First, find the biggest bowl that can fit into your toaster oven while leaving an inch of space between the bowl and the top of the oven.
“It doesn’t have to be toaster oven safe, because we’re not turning the toaster oven on, but it should be safe to hold boiling water,” says Blause.
Fill the bowl with one part water and one part white vinegar, then transfer that mixture to a pot and boil it on the stove. When it comes to a rolling boil, immediately transfer the mixture back to the bowl. Put it back in the toaster oven, close the door and let it sit for 10 minutes. The steam will stick to the inside of the appliance and start to break down the grease, so all you have to do is wipe the surfaces down with a wet cloth.
“If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar like me, add a few drops of lemon juice to the boiling mixture,” adds Blause. “It smells a lot better!”
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See More from EatingWell
Le Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s DayThese Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight OatsLululemon’s ‘We Made Too Much’ Section Has the Best Gear for Cold Weather Workouts
Le Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day
These Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight Oats
Lululemon’s ‘We Made Too Much’ Section Has the Best Gear for Cold Weather Workouts
