While a toaster oven doesn’t handle heavy-duty cooking like a regular oven, it still has a large amount of grease and buildup. And regularly cleaning your toaster oven not only improves the quality and health of your food but also helps prevent the oven from catching fire.
You can clean the glass on a toaster oven by spraying distilled white vinegar over it and then wiping away the grime with a microfiber cloth. Apply a baking soda paste if the glass is covered with more stubborn stains. However, ensure you don’t use an oven cleaner, as it may damage it.
Keep in mind that even if you regularly wipe up new splatters and empty crumbs from the toaster oven, you’ll still need to give it a thorough cleaning at least every week. Let’s look at how you can clean the glass on a toaster oven and whether you can use an oven cleaner for the job, so you can continue toasting your food without worrying about any hygiene issues.
How Do You Clean the Glass on a Toaster Oven?
Cleaning the glass on your toaster oven is a very easy task. However, it’s best to give your toaster oven a thorough cleaning before using it for the first time, and then continue cleaning it regularly as needed.
However, before you start with any of the cleaning methods, remember to read the owner’s manual to check if there are any methods or cleaners that will damage or scratch the glass on your toaster oven. If you find any, make sure you avoid them.
Use Distilled White Vinegar
- Spray distilled white vinegar or lemon juice on your toaster oven’s glass.
- Rub a microfiber cloth in downward strokes to wipe away all the grime and cleaner.
- Rinse and repeat if needed.
- Buff any streaks or marks in your toaster oven glass with a dry microfiber cloth.
Use a Baking Soda Paste
- Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with water until you have a thick paste.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth, dip it into the baking soda paste, and apply the paste over your toaster oven’s glass.
- Let the paste sit for around two hours.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth again and use it to wipe away all the baking soda paste.
- Soak a magic eraser in water, squeeze out all the excess water, and gently scrub away the more stubborn stains and buildup.
- Finish by wiping away all the residue with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.
Use a Razor
- Open your toaster oven’s door and use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off loose bits of grime.
- Pour some baking soda into a bowl.
- Add water slowly to the baking soda until you have a paste with the same consistency as a shaving cream.
- Apply and spread the paste on your toaster oven’s glass.
- Let the paste sit for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth and use it to wipe away the paste.
- If you see any stuck-on gunk, use a razor blade to scrape it away gently. Make sure you only use the blade’s flat edge, not its corners, or you may scratch the glass.
- Repeat all the above steps if needed.
- Buff any streaks in your toaster oven glass with a dry microfiber cloth.
What Supplies Do I Need to Clean Toaster Oven Glass?
With only a few supplies, you can get rid of all the baked-on grime,food stains, and burn marks on your toaster oven glass. And luckily, you probably already have most of the stuff you need in your pantry:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber cloths (on Amazon)
- Liquid dish soap (on Amazon)
- Baking soda
- Magic Eraser (on Amazon)
Can You Use an Oven Cleaner in a Toaster Oven?
You shouldn’t use a commercial oven cleaner in a toaster oven because it could damage it. Instead, it’s better to read your oven’s instruction manual and closely follow all the instructions for cleaning that specific model.
If you’re still unsure what to do, baking soda and several other natural cleaners are always excellent options. After cleaning your toaster oven, wipe down the glass with coffee filters or a microfiber cloth to achieve a streak-free shine.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for a Toaster Oven
You can easily keep your toaster oven clean with a few simple tips:
- Brush the crumbs out of your toaster oven after every use to prevent them from turning into burnt-on messes.
- Don’t use chemical cleaners unless the manufacturer specifically recommends them.
- Wipe down the outside and inside of your toaster oven at least once weekly.
- Avoid using hard-bristled brushes or scouring pads when cleaning your toaster oven, or you’ll risk scratching its glass.
What is a Self-Cleaning Oven?
While a self-cleaning oven may sound incredibly appealing, it’s not as exciting as it sounds. The inside of the oven is designed with a nonstick coating, which makes it much easier to clean. However, you’ll still have to empty the crumbs and regularly wipe down the glass.
How Often Should You Clean a Toaster Oven?
It’s best to check your toaster oven for any food that’s dropped near or on its heating element every time you use it. However, ensure you wait for the heating element to cool before removing anything, and never use metal utensils inside the oven.
This regular visual inspection will help ensure that food doesn’t come in contact with your toaster’s heating element and catch fire. It’ll also prevent grease from sticking and baking onto the inside of your toaster oven and make deep cleaning much easier.
Along with lightly cleaning your toaster oven after each use, it’s also advisable to perform a deep clean every week, especially if you use the oven daily.