Cleaning a toaster oven, or any other oven for that matter,  is a chore no-one likes, but it’s best not put this messy job off for too long or you’ll regret it – the oven starts to smell when you cook food in it, and the longer you leave it, the harder it is to clean.

So the first thing to do when you get that gleaming new black toaster oven, is to resolve to clean it regularly. How often depends on how much you use it, and to some extent what sort of meals you cook in it. But at least every two weeks is essential, and weekly is better if you use it for a lot of fatty foods.

First of all, make sure you’re doing the job safely. Let the oven cool properly after use, even if it’s got very messy after a meal and you’re tempted to clean it there and then; and then unplug it. Remember that an oven should never be submerged in water. You risk electrocution if it’s still connected, and it will also damage the electrical wiring.

So What’s The Simplest Way To Clean my Toaster Oven?

Next, take out any removable racks from the oven, scrub them briefly and then leave them to soak in hot water with detergent to remove accumulated dirt and fat. Then take out the crumb tray, empty it, scour any bits that are burnt on, and add it to the soaking racks. By the way, there is no need to buy expensive proprietary brands of oven cleaner; hot water and detergent does just as well and some cleaners can damage the surfaces. If there is no crumb tray, you will need to up-end the whole thing over a trash can, holding the door of the oven open as you do so.

While they soak, wipe the exterior of the oven down with soap and detergent. You should get into the habit anyway of wiping the outside every time you use the oven, to stop grease and finger marks building up. Then do the first part of cleaning the interior, which is to remove the stray crumbs and bits of food, either with a small brush or with a wet tissue. Then wash the interior with a synthetic scouring pad and detergent. Never use metal scourers or tools, or you’ll scratch the lining. If any marks are really reluctant to come off, leave them wet and then scour again after the minutes.

Wiping round quickly inside when the oven’s cooled after each meal will prevent it getting into that state! Remember to clean the inside of the glass door as well as the interior surface in the oven itself. You may find a glass cleaner useful for the oven door, but it shouldn’t be essential.

Then wipe the interior round with a soft cloth and a sanitising spray. Finish washing the racks and the crumb tray in the soapy water, spray them as well and dry before replacing.

Give the oven a final wipe outside, make sure it’s gleaming all over and then plug your toaster oven back in, ready for use.