Toaster ovens are usually used to heat frozen food on the go for quick meals or breakfast. They also work great for baking cookies and cupcakes in batches.
However, cleaning is a bit of a task. You can clean the tray using soft scrubs and a dishwasher or use the complex of baking soda and vinegar for stubborn stains. Check out different ways to clean the toaster tray and racks below.
You will not need a bag of colorful and scented cleaners and equipment to clean your toaster oven. Gather all the things mentioned below:
- Kitchen scrubbers
- Kitchen towels
- Dish soap or liquid
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Water
While cleaning any electric appliances, switch them off and unplug them.
Submerge the tray and racks in warm water and add a little dish soap or liquid. Let it soak in the liquid mixture for 20 mins.
Take a dry cloth and give a nice clean wipe to the oven’s interior. If you find any stubborn stains, you can mix three tablespoons of vinegar with a half-cup of baking soda. Apply the mixture and leave it for 2 or 3 mins, then scrub it with a soft sponge.
Be careful with the heating elements; if it gets wet by any change, dry it with a fresh cloth. Use the same to clean the outer part of the oven too.
After 20 mins of soak, this should remove all the tough stains; if you find any stains, scrub them with scrub pads gently. Repeat the step if the stains are still there. You can also use other cleaning methods mentioned below too.
Dry the trays and racks, put them back into the toaster oven, and enjoy a grime-free baking process. You can do this once in a while when you find your oven dirty.
Some stains might be tough and stubborn, and they would not go away with just dish soap. However, you can choose any of these cleaning processes given below for a nice spotless clean.
This is the best effortless way to clean oven racks; just lay some towels or dryer sheets in a bathtub. Fill the bathtub with water and dishwashing liquid. Then drop all the racks and trays into the tub. Leave it through the night.
Take them out in the morning, wash with fresh water, dry and arrange. Clean the bathtub after use.
You will need a plastic wrap or sealed bags for this step. Make a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar, then apply it all over the trays and racks. Cover it using plastic wrap or bags. Leave it for 6 to 8 hours, remove the wraps, gently scrub using a sponge and wash the racks.
Dry them completely before you place them into the oven.
This should not be the first option to clean your oven because they produce toxic gasses when put to action. However, as the gas produced might suffocate you if you work in a closed area, do it in an open area.
These are mostly available as sprays, so use gloves and goggles. Before you start the process, cover the floor or table on which you will be working. Use old clothes or newspapers to do the job. The plastic wrap might burn sometimes. Place the racks on a covered surface and spray the cleaning agents on it; leave it for 10 mins and wash it.
Not cleaning your oven racks and trays for long enough makes the dirt and food substances pile up on them. These stains are hard to clean. To avoid such, clean your oven twice every month. Your oven can be odor-free if you clean it regularly.
Leaving them for too long can accumulate bacteria inside the oven too. Many think they will be killed because of the heat generated, but they don’t. So use any of these cleaning techniques described above to have a hassle-free clean.
Warm water mixed with detergent or dish soap can remove grease easily. Use a dry cloth to clean after you do this process. So the eating elements will not be damaged.
Baking soda and vinegar can work as bleaching agents to remove stains. This mixture will restore the natural color of the racks. Use scrubbing aids to scrub the grease off. Repeat the process twice or three times if you have extremely discolored racks. If the external coat is rusted or damaged, it is safe to change them.
If you use them daily, you can clean them about once a week. This will help in not having stubborn stains, which will usually form if you do not clean for a long time. While using it daily, check for any leftover food crumbs and bits inside the oven before turning it on. Then, dispose of them every day to reduce health hazards.
If your oven is stinky, it might be because of leftover food, which causes the accumulation of bacteria in the oven’s interior. To reduce this, use a lemon or orange.
To remove the stinky odor, use a half cup of water and a few drops of aromatic oil, peels, or lemon. Bring the water to a boil, and let the steam fill the interior for 2mins. Then remove the water bowl from the oven.