Aside from your coffee, the smell of fresh toast is probably the other most welcome part of morning breakfast. Or maybe it’s the afternoon, and you’re toasting bread for some quick lunchtime sandwiches.

Whichever it is, you’re probably grateful for your toaster, and you want to keep it clean, and to last as long as possible. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips to keep your AFRA toaster running in the best condition possible.

Safety First: Unplug Your Toaster

Before you start messing around with your toaster, do the smart thing and yank the plug. The last thing you need is an electrocution, especially when you’re handling the internals.

If you’ve just used the toaster recently, make sure to leave it aside for a long time. For example, if you’ve used it in the last ten minutes, you’ll need to leave it alone for at least an hour, just to keep things safe.

Get Rid of Those Crumbs

Where bread goes, crumbs follow. That may sound like an old proverb, but it’s an undeniable fact of toasters. Crumbs can get themselves lodged into all kinds of nooks and crannies, like the base of your toaster, which is why almost all modern toasters now have removable crumb trays. 

Make sure to tackle this tray first; just slide it out and clean up any crumbs, then set it aside. This will take care of most of the crumbs in one go. Next, turn your toaster upside down and gently shake out the crumbs that may be trapped inside. If there are still some stubborn crumbs in there, then get a brush and clean them out.

Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

Now that your toaster is crumb-free, it’s time to get scrubbing. Make sure to pay attention to the sides, top and bottom. 

Don’t use the scrubs that you use for your utensils; it’s better practice to use sponges or any spare toothbrushes instead. You can use this method to clean your toaster, as well as the crumb tray, then wash it with some warm and soapy water. If your toaster is stainless-steel, you can maintain its shine with vinegar or ammonia instead of soap.

However, after you’re done, be sure to keep things safe: make sure you dry out your toaster with a towel, and slide your crumb tray back in.

Keep That Metal Away

Sometimes, bad luck strikes and your toast gets itself stuck inside your toaster. We’ve all been there, and it’s in situations like these that you may be tempted to stick a tool in there and fish out your toast.

If that’s the case, then for the sake of your safety, do not use metal utensils! No amount of toast, no matter how delicious, is worth the risk of electrocution. Nor is it worth the risk of damaging the nonstick surfaces, or the heating elements. Use wooden or plastic tools instead.

More Isn’t Always Better

There are times when you, or someone you know, had the bright idea to stuff a toaster with a few extra pieces of bread. After all, the more the bread, the more the toast, right? 

Except this isn’t the case at all. In fact, overloading your toaster could cause harm. Not only can this cause your bread to be unevenly toasted, but it can also damage the heating elements. It’s best practice to always follow the instructions and only put the exact amount of bread the toaster was designed for.

Store It Right

Once you’re done with your toaster, unplug it and store it somewhere dry. Make sure it’s nowhere near the sink or stove, so it isn’t affected by water or steam. It’s also a good idea to take caution with the cord. Don’t wrap it too tightly around your toaster or pull on it too hard; it can damage the cord and create a safety hazard.

Cover It Up

Aside from crumbs, your toaster can also accumulate dust. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to get yourself a toaster cover. You can find them online or in stores, and not only are they a great option for shielding your toaster from dust, they’re also easy to remove and clean.