How to Clean a Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens accumulate baked-on grease, food spills, and crumbs that become a fire hazard and cause unpleasant burning smells when the appliance heats up. Cleaning takes about 20 minutes and is straightforward once you know the right approach for each part.
Safety First
Unplug the toaster oven completely before cleaning. Never immerse the unit in water. Wait until it's fully cool.
Crumb Tray
Remove the crumb tray first (it usually slides out from the bottom). Take it outside or over the bin and tap out all loose crumbs. Wash with warm soapy water, scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry completely before replacing. This should be done every few uses — an overloaded crumb tray is the most common cause of toaster oven fires.
Racks and Baking Pan
Remove the wire rack and any baking pan. Soak in hot soapy water for 15 minutes. Scrub with a non-scratch scrubber to remove baked-on grease. For stubborn baked residue: apply a paste of baking soda and dish soap, leave 15 minutes, then scrub. Rinse thoroughly and dry before replacing.
Interior Walls and Ceiling
Make a paste of baking soda and water (about 3:1 ratio). Apply to the interior walls, ceiling, and floor of the oven with a cloth or sponge, avoiding the heating elements. Leave 10–15 minutes. Wipe off with a damp cloth, removing all the paste and loosened grease. Rinse the cloth and wipe again until all residue is gone.
Heating elements: Do not apply any cleaning solution to the heating elements (the coils). Simply brush off any loose debris with a dry cloth. Wetting heating elements can cause damage or electrical hazards.
Glass Door
Spray the inside of the glass door with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Leave 5 minutes. Wipe with a cloth in circular motions. For baked-on grease spots on the glass: apply the baking soda paste, leave 10 minutes, scrub with a non-scratch pad, wipe clean. The outside of the glass door can be cleaned with standard glass cleaner.
Exterior
Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. For stainless steel toaster ovens, wipe in the direction of the grain and dry immediately to prevent water spots.
Reassembly
Ensure every component is completely dry before reassembling and plugging back in. Run the toaster oven empty at a low temperature for 5–10 minutes after cleaning — this burns off any cleaning product residue and prevents smells when you next cook.
How Often
- Crumb tray: Every few uses
- Full clean: Monthly, or immediately after any large spill
Kitchen appliance cleaning is included in every Maidless deep clean. Book at maidless.ca.