How to Clean a Toaster Oven Without Wrecking It
16.08.2026
To clean a toaster oven, unplug it and let it cool, then slide out the crumb tray and racks and wash them in warm soapy water. Wipe the interior with a damp cloth and a paste of baking soda and water, avoiding the heating elements. Dry everything fully before plugging it back in.
What you'll need
- Dish soap and warm water
- Baking soda
- Two microfiber cloths (one damp, one dry)
- A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
- A plastic scraper or wooden spatula (never metal)
- A small bowl for mixing paste
- Paper towels to catch crumbs
Step by step
- Unplug it and let it cool completely. In a tight kitchen the toaster oven often sits inches from the wall, so pull it forward onto a clear counter before you start.
- Remove the crumb tray, racks, and baking pan. Dump the tray into the trash or over the sink. Old crumbs are the number-one cause of that burning smell and, near a steam radiator, the smoke you don't want setting off a landlord-installed alarm.
- Soak the removable parts. Fill the sink or a basin with warm soapy water and let the racks, tray, and pan sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If your kitchen has one small sink, use a dishpan so you keep the drain free.
- Mix a baking soda paste. Stir three parts baking soda with one part water until it's spreadable. Dab it on baked-on grease spots inside the oven and on the glass door.
- Let the paste sit, then wipe. Give it 10 minutes, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Work around the heating elements, not over them.
- Scrub the racks. Use the soft brush on the soaked racks, then rinse and set them on a towel to drip-dry.
- Clean the door glass. Wipe inside and out with the damp cloth, then buff with the dry one so you can actually see your food.
- Dry everything fully and reassemble. Moisture near electrical parts is a hazard, so make sure the interior and all pieces are bone-dry before you slide them back and plug in.
What NOT to do
Don't spray cleaner directly into the oven. Liquid pools around the heating elements and wiring, and aerosolized product in a small kitchen with a non-opening window lingers in the air you breathe. Spray the cloth instead. Never use steel wool or metal scrapers on the interior or the glass door; they scratch the coating and the glass, and loose metal shavings near elements are a fire risk. Skip oven-cleaner foams meant for full-size ranges, which are too harsh for a compact appliance's finish. Don't submerge the unit itself or let water reach the dial and cord. And don't put the racks back wet; trapped moisture leaves rust streaks over time.
When to call a pro
DIY handles crumbs, grease, and glass. But if your kitchen has months of baked-on buildup across the stove, backsplash, and every small appliance, a single wipe-down won't cut it, and doing it in a cramped NYC galley kitchen with limited counter space is genuinely miserable. When you're prepping for a move-out inspection, hosting, or just want the whole kitchen reset in one visit, book apartment cleaning with CleanWhale and let a team handle the deep work while you deal with the rest of the apartment.
FAQ
How often should I clean my toaster oven?
Empty the crumb tray weekly if you use it daily, and do a full interior wipe-down every two to four weeks. In a small apartment where the oven lives on the counter, staying ahead of grease keeps it from smoking and smelling.
Can I use vinegar to clean a toaster oven?
Diluted vinegar cuts grease on the glass door and exterior. Apply it to a cloth rather than spraying, keep it away from the heating elements, and dry the surface afterward. Skip it on any aluminum parts, which vinegar can dull.
How do I get rid of the burning smell?
A burning smell almost always comes from crumbs and grease baked onto the tray, floor, or elements. Remove and wash the tray, wipe the interior, and let it fully dry. Running it empty for a few minutes afterward burns off any last residue.
Is it safe to clean the heating elements?
Don't scrub or wet the elements directly. Let them cool, gently brush off loose debris with a dry soft brush, and let the oven run empty briefly to burn off the rest. Wiping around them with a damp cloth is fine; soaking them is not.
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