We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

How do you know when it’s time to clean your toaster? Well, if you peer into the slots and see enough crumbs to bread a chicken cutlet, it’s long overdue. We recommend cleaning the crumb tray once a week or whenever you see a buildup of crumbs. Otherwise, you’re looking at a potential fire hazard, so it’s important to take a moment every now and then to clean them out.

I’ve been testing toasters at Wirecutter since 2016, so I’ve cleaned my fair share of them. In 2021, I partnered with Elvin Beach, associate professor of practice, and his students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Ohio State University to figure out why newer toasters seem to fail so quickly. Through their research and testing, I’ve learned even more about how to clean toasters and help prolong their lifespan.

Thankfully, you may already have everything you need on hand to get the job done—here’s how to do it.

A clean pastry brush: A soft-bristle pastry brush is best for gently removing the crumbs that cling to the sides of a toaster’s heating elements (avoid using a silicone pastry brush).

A long, clean paint brush: Any thin brush with a long handle (like those used for watercolors) will help you sweep away crumbs in hard-to-reach crevices.

Paper towels or a clean cloth: You can use these to wipe down the crumb tray or the sides of your toaster.

Dish soap: A drop is all you need to remove grease buildup or grime on the sides of your toaster and crumb tray. We recommend Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid.

A sponge: Any sponge, such as a Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge or a Scotch-Brite Dobie pad (which is gentler and doesn’t scratch stainless steel), can be used to wipe down the sides of your toaster and crumb tray.

Bar Keepers Friend (for stainless steel toasters): A mixture of Bar Keepers Friend and a bit of water will polish the exterior and keep it looking like new.

It should only take a couple of minutes. Brushing away crumbs inside the slots or wiping down the exterior of your toaster will take a few minutes more.

First, make sure your toaster is unplugged. Never attempt to do any cleaning when the toaster is plugged in or when it’s hot just after using.

You can gently brush away crumbs clinging to the delicate heating elements or along the edges of the toaster slots with a clean, soft-bristle pastry brush. Never stick any sharp objects (like a dinner knife or fork) into the slots to retrieve your toast, because you can easily damage the heating elements. Crumbs often collect along the bottom rim of the slots below the heat source; a long, thin paint brush (like one used for watercolors) can help you reach the rim and dust the crumbs onto the tray below.

Don’t be tempted to flip your toaster upside down and bang on the sides to get crumbs out. According to research done by The Ohio State University, such treatment can easily break the delicate solder joints and cause an electronic component to give out.

Most toasters have a crumb tray located on the bottom. Pull it out and empty the crumbs into the trash. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe away any remaining crumbs on the tray. You can also wash the tray with warm soapy water, but be sure the tray is completely dry before putting it back in the toaster.

To clean the outside of the toaster, use a damp paper towel or cloth. A damp sponge and a drop of dish soap can remove stubborn stains (don’t get any water inside the toaster slots, or near the lever, push buttons, or control panel). Wipe the toaster dry with a paper towel or clean dish cloth.

Stainless steel toasters can be cleaned and polished with a slurry of Bar Keepers Friend and water. Pour a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend onto a slightly damp sponge and use this to clean and polish the exterior. Work one section at a time and avoid getting the solution inside the slots or near the lever, push buttons, or control panel. Wipe the solution off using another slightly damp sponge, paper towel, or dish cloth. Dry the toaster with a towel before using.

This article was edited by Amy Koplin and Brittney Ho.

Associate professor of practice Elvin Beach and students Luke Ciccone, Sara Cohen, Bryan Crossman, John Roehrs, Nicole Sturgeon, Joel Swartzentruber, and Xianhao Zhang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, at The Ohio State University, October 30, 2020, through February 3, 2021

Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade.

by Michael Sullivan and Sabrina Imbler

After testing 23 toasters for dozens of hours, we think the Cuisinart CPT-122 2 Slice Compact Plastic Toaster is the best, especially for the price.

We’ve been testing toaster ovens since 2015 and have two favorites: the compact Panasonic FlashXpress and the large Cuisinart Chef's Convection .

The Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven is a versatile, powerful mini oven disguised as a toaster.

by Lesley Stockton and Anna Perling

If making one-pot meals is your priority, you may like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp , but we think other appliances will serve most people better.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Subscribe now for unlimited access.

© 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company