Latest news with #toaster
CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
From Crumbs to Melted Cheese, Here's How to Clean Your Toaster
While you may clean your counters and dishes daily, your kitchen appliances need a little love, too. Whether you prefer buttered toast, avocado toast or toaster pastries, you need to be cleaning your dirty toaster -- probably more often than you think. After enough use, I started noticing a burnt odor and uneven browning in my own toaster. That's when I realized the culprit wasn't the bread but the mess of loose crumbs and food particles lurking inside the toaster. Crumbs pile up fast, and if you don't clean them out regularly, they can burn, stink and even turn into a fire risk. Worse? Leftover food bits can attract bugs, especially in hot weather. Luckily, giving your toaster a deep clean is easier than you might think. It takes just a few minutes, doesn't require any fancy tools and can save your breakfast (and your kitchen) from disaster. For more cleaning tips, learn how to wash your bedding the right way and how to clean your kitchen in under 15 minutes. How to clean out your toaster If you use your toaster as often as I do (daily), you'll need to clean it at least once a week. If you use it sporadically, you can get away with cleaning it every few weeks or so, or when you notice food remnants building up. Here's the best way to clean your toaster: CNET 1. Unplug your toaster and do the usual upside-down shake thing over the sink. No, just shaking the appliance over the sink isn't entirely effective. 2. Pull out the crumb tray, if it has one, and then wash it with warm water and dish soap. 3. While you let the crumb tray dry, dampen a cotton cloth with a little white vinegar and wipe out the slots where the bread, pop tarts or other treats sit. 4. If there's stuck-on food residue left over from breakfast pastries on the heating elements, gently brush them with an old toothbrush dampened with white vinegar. 5. Wipe the insides down with a water-dampened cloth to remove any vinegar residue. 6. Give the toaster one last good upside-down shake. 7. Wipe down the outside of the toaster with another dampened cloth. Let the toaster dry inside and out completely before plugging it back in. It should only take a couple of hours to dry. For more household tips, check out how to kill mold in your washer and keep it away and how to clean cat pee from your couch. Frequently asked questions Can you submerge a toaster in water to clean it? No, you should never submerge any electrical appliance in water, as it can damage the internal components. How do I get burn marks off the toaster? If you've gone a long time without cleaning your toaster, you may have some burn marks on the top of it leaving an unsightly brown mark. To fix this you can make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda and while the toaster is still unplugged, scrub with a toothbrush or non-abrasive sponge. Afterward, wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth to remove the paste. More home cleaning tips
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers are racing to Dunelm for half price kettles & toaster that look exactly like posh brand but for £110 less
SHOPPERS are racing to Dunelm to snap up half-price toasters and kettles that are identical to a posh brand, for £110 cheaper. The home stores' Textured Ribbed Plastic Kettle is currently retailing at half price, with customers able to take it home for just £12.50. 3 3 3 It comes in four chic colours, including grey and navy, and has a removable water filter, for effortless cleaning. Dunelm said: "Indulge in the perfect blend of style and functionality with our Textured Ribbed Plastic Kettle. "Its unique ribbed design, available in a range of colourways, adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen. "Boasting a generous 1.7L capacity, this kettle ensures you have ample hot water for your favourite beverages." Dunelm is also selling a matching Textured Ribbed Plastic 2-Slice Toaster with the grey design also currently half price at £12.50. The handy gadget has adjustable browning controls and a slide out crumb tray. It also has anti-bread jamming features, and a defrost function. The penny pincher friendly products look incredibly similar to Delonghi's 4 Slice Ballerina Toaster and Kettle. However, with the toaster costing £73 and the kettle setting you back £62, the Dunelm buys are significantly cheaper. If you purchased both Delonghi products, it would cost you £135. CAN AN £12 TOASTER REALLY OUTPERFORM ONE THAT COSTS £150? However, picking up both the Dunelm buys will only cost you £25, a saving of £110. Shoppers have flooded the Dunelm website to share their love for the appliances. One person said: "I think this kettle is a fab product and a fab price." A second person said: "Great little kettle. What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025? The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it's taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous. Hardworking appliances Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job. Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding. Health and wellness With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles. Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients. Energy-bill conscious Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down. More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn't just save money—it's also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes. With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying. "Works well and looks stylish on the counter with the matching toaster." A third person said: "They match our kitchen perfectly and look really expressive! "Both the kettle and toaster have been great to use, and we would definitely recommend them. "In fact, our daughter has bought exactly the same ones."
CNET
08-06-2025
- General
- CNET
You Probably Touch This Kitchen Staple Every Day. But When's the Last Time You Cleaned It?
Now that it's summer, my toaster is working overtime-cranking out slices for avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches and late-night snacks. But as much as I rely on it, I used to forget one important thing: cleaning it. After enough use, I started noticing weird smells and uneven browning, and that's when I realized the culprit wasn't the bread -- it was the mess hiding inside the toaster. Crumbs pile up fast, and if you don't clean them out regularly, they can burn, stink and even turn into a fire risk. Worse? Leftover food bits can attract bugs, especially in hot weather. Luckily, giving your toaster a deep clean is easier than you think. It takes just a few minutes, doesn't require any fancy tools and can save your breakfast (and your kitchen) from disaster. For more cleaning tips, learn how to wash your bedding the right way and how to clean your kitchen in under 15 minutes. How to clean out your toaster If you use your toaster as often as I do (daily), you'll need to clean it at least once a week. If you use it sporadically, you can get away with cleaning it every few weeks or so, or when you notice food remnants building up. Here's the best way to clean your toaster: CNET 1. Unplug your toaster and do the usual upside-down shake thing over the sink. No, just shaking the appliance over the sink isn't entirely effective. 2. Pull out the crumb tray, if it has one, and then wash it with warm water and dish soap. 3. While you let the crumb tray dry, dampen a cotton cloth with a little white vinegar and wipe out the slots where the bread, pop tarts or other treats sit. 4. If there's stuck-on food residue left over from breakfast pastries on the heating elements, gently brush them with an old toothbrush dampened with white vinegar. 5. Wipe the insides down with a water-dampened cloth to remove any vinegar residue. 6. Give the toaster one last good upside-down shake. 7. Wipe down the outside of the toaster with another dampened cloth. Let the toaster dry inside and out completely before plugging it back in. It should only take a couple of hours to dry. For more household tips, check out how to kill mold in your washer and keep it away and how to clean cat pee from your couch. Frequently asked questions Can you submerge a toaster in water to clean it? No, you should never submerge any electrical appliance in water, as it can damage the internal components. How do I get burn marks off the toaster? If you've gone a long time without cleaning your toaster, you may have some burn marks on the top of it leaving an unsightly brown mark. To fix this you can make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda and while the toaster is still unplugged, scrub with a toothbrush or non-abrasive sponge. Afterward, wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth to remove the paste. More home cleaning tips
