Quick Answer
Unplug the toaster at the socket and let it cool. Slide out the crumb tray and empty it, then turn the toaster upside down and gently shake out loose crumbs. Brush the slots with a soft, non-metal brush, wipe the outside with a damp cloth and dry every part before use. Never push knives or other metal into the slots, and never submerge it.
Key Takeaways
- The three UK brand manuals we read all start the same way: unplug, then let it cool. They also agree that you must not immerse the toaster or use abrasive cleaners.
- Crumbs are a fire risk, not just a nuisance. Morphy Richards says crumbs can catch fire if the tray is not emptied regularly, and Russell Hobbs says excess crumbs are unhygienic and could catch fire.
- Cheese, toaster ovens, retro finishes and commercial machines each need their own care, and the manual for your model comes first.
Why a dirty toaster needs more than a quick shake
A toaster is a heating element surrounded by bread, crumbs and, sometimes, things that should never have gone in. Cleaning it is simple, but the order matters, because the risk is electrical as well as hygienic.
This guide sets out how to clean a toaster step by step, what the brand manuals say to avoid, and how to handle the awkward cases. It draws on instruction manuals and published cleaning guides. We have not cleaned any toaster for this article, so it contains no before-and-after claims.
Unplug and cool
Every manual we read puts this first. Breville’s manual says to always switch off, unplug and allow the toaster to cool before moving, cleaning or storing it. Russell Hobbs says to unplug the toaster and allow it to cool. Yours magazine goes further: unplug it from the mains, not just switch it off at the wall.
Dry hands matter too. Cleanipedia says to make sure your hands are dry before you start.
Do not submerge it or run it under a tap. Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs and Breville all say never to immerse the toaster, its cord or its plug in water.
Empty the crumb tray
How to empty toaster crumb tray
How to empty toaster crumb tray is the one job manufacturers want done often. The Morphy Richards manual says to unplug the toaster after each use and empty the crumb tray under the appliance. Breville says to do it once the toaster has cooled and is disconnected.
- Unplug and wait until the toaster is cool.
- Slide the tray out from the bottom. Morphy Richards’ blog also says to check for any additional trays and removable racks.
- Tip the crumbs into the bin.
- If the tray is sticky, wash it with washing-up liquid and warm water, rinse, and dry it completely before putting it back (Cleanipedia, Morphy Richards).
- Never use the toaster without the tray fitted. Morphy Richards and Breville both say so.
Cleaning the slots: how to clean the inside of a toaster
How to clean the inside of a toaster
How to clean the inside of a toaster comes down to gentle shaking and soft brushing, never poking.
- With the tray out and the toaster unplugged, hold it upside down over the sink or bin and shake gently. Ideal Home warns against vigorous shaking, which could damage the toaster.
- Use a soft brush such as a spare toothbrush or small pastry brush, working from the top down (Cleanipedia, Ideal Home). Morphy Richards’ blog also suggests a compressed air duster for stubborn crumbs.
- Keep tools non-metal. The Morphy Richards manual says not to touch any part of the toaster with sharp or metal utensils, especially inside the bread slots. This is our reading of the manuals: a dry plastic or bristle brush is safer than anything metal.
- Reinsert the dry tray.
Long slot toaster cleaning tips
Long slot toaster cleaning tips are mostly the same job with more room to miss crumbs. Russell Hobbs’ 4-slice wide-slot manual says to turn the toaster upside down and shake out crumbs, and to clip the tray back firmly into place. Check both ends of a long slot, and look for a second tray.
How to clean toaster heating elements
Do not clean the elements directly. The manuals say never to insert objects into the toaster, and Breville and Russell Hobbs say not to use a knife or utensil to remove jammed bread. Brushing crumbs off the elements with a metal tool is therefore not something the manuals support. Use shaking and a soft brush only, and consult the manual if elements look damaged.
If bread jams, disconnect the toaster at the socket, allow it to cool, then remove the bread, as the Morphy Richards manual says.
How to clean a toaster with cheese melted in it
Let it cool and set first. Yours says to let the cheese solidify, then scrape it off with a spatula. That works on trays and outer surfaces, but the Morphy Richards manual says not to use metal utensils inside the slots, so use only a wooden or plastic tool there, and only if the cheese is within reach.
For melted plastic, Morphy Richards’ blog suggests a wooden or plastic scraper, then baking powder on a damp sponge. If cheese is deep inside and cannot be reached safely, do not force it. Burning smells with no visible debris may point to a faulty part, and that blog suggests a professional or a replacement.
How to deep clean a dirty toaster
How to deep clean a dirty toaster is mostly the same steps, done thoroughly and left to dry.
- Cover the worktop with kitchen paper and unplug the toaster (Ideal Home).
- Wash the tray in warm, soapy water.
- Shake and brush the slots.
- Clean stubborn marks on the outside with a baking soda paste left for about 15 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth (Morphy Richards’ blog), or a slightly damp cloth with white vinegar (Ideal Home).
- Let everything dry. Ideal Home suggests about an hour before reassembling and plugging in.
Avoid wetting the inside. Ideal Home’s advice is to keep your cleaning tool only slightly damp.
Wiping the outside
Chrome toaster exterior polish
For a chrome toaster exterior polish, we found no chrome-specific guidance in the sources we read. The general manufacturer advice is the safest starting point: Russell Hobbs says to wipe the outside with a slightly dampened cloth and polish with a soft, dry cloth, and never to use abrasive cleaners, caustic cleaners or oven cleaners. Morphy Richards’ manual also warns against abrasive detergents.
For stainless steel, Morphy Richards’ blog says to wipe along the grain, avoid acidic or citrus cleaners, and use a soft cloth with dish soap and warm water. Yours suggests white vinegar for grease and handprints. These two views differ on acids, so test a hidden spot first or follow your manual.
Cleaning a retro pastel toaster
For cleaning a retro pastel toaster, we found no brand-specific instructions for painted or coloured finishes. Our reading is that the manufacturers’ general rules are the safest: a soft, damp cloth, a dry polish, and no abrasive pads or harsh cleaners, which could scratch a coloured finish. Check your manual, and test any cleaner on a hidden area.
How to clean a toaster oven glass door
A toaster oven is a different appliance, with a glass door and interior walls. Yours suggests a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a little water on the door, then a sponge and a damp cloth to remove residue. HomeServe suggests a spray of equal parts water and white vinegar, wiped with microfibre. Both say not to wet the heating elements.
HomeServe warns against steel wool, abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals inside, and against running a convection or air fryer model with standing water in it. Unplug and cool it first, and remove racks and the tray to wash separately.
Commercial toaster maintenance guide
If you run a commercial conveyor toaster, treat this guide as a basic outline and follow the maintenance guide that comes with your machine. FER magazine’s article on conveyor toasters says to consult the operator’s manual, unplug and cool the unit, and clear the crumb catchers every day. It says to remove detachable parts and wash them with an approved cleaner, and to wipe the exterior with a mild detergent and non-abrasive cloth. Quartz and glass-tube elements are fragile and should be cleaned by a technician when cool. We did not research UK food hygiene rules for commercial kitchens.
How often to do it
- Crumb tray: Morphy Richards’ manual says to empty it after each use. Russell Hobbs says the tray should be cleaned regularly.
- Full clean: Ideal Home says daily users should clean it at least once a week. Morphy Richards’ blog suggests including it in a weekly kitchen routine.
- Toaster ovens: HomeServe says to empty the tray after every few uses or weekly, and more often after breaded or pastry foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean the inside of a toaster without damaging it?
Unplug it and let it cool, empty the crumb tray, then shake the toaster gently upside down and brush the slots with a soft, non-metal brush. Do not poke with knives or submerge it. Dry everything before use.
How do I empty a toaster crumb tray?
Unplug the toaster, let it cool, slide the tray out from the bottom and tip the crumbs into the bin. Wash it if sticky, dry it fully and refit it. Never use the toaster without the tray in place.
Is it safe to clean a toaster with a knife or fork?
No. Brand manuals say not to insert metal utensils or forks into the slots, even to remove bread. Unplug it, let it cool and shake or brush instead. Metal tools can damage the elements and risk electric shock.
How do I clean a toaster with melted cheese in it?
Let it cool and the cheese set, then scrape off what you can reach with a wooden or plastic tool, or a spatula on the outer parts. Do not use metal in the slots. If it cannot be reached safely, check the manual.
How often should I clean a toaster?
Empty the crumb tray after each use if you can, and give the toaster a fuller clean weekly if you use it daily. Toaster ovens need tray emptying every few uses and more often after breaded foods.
Can I put a toaster in water to clean it?
No. Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs and Breville all say never to immerse the toaster, cord or plug. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth and keep the inside as dry as possible.
