To clean a toaster oven, unplug it and let it cool, empty and wash the crumb tray, rack and pan in hot soapy water, then wipe the interior and glass door with a baking soda paste and a damp cloth. Baked-on grease needs a 15-minute rest with the paste before wiping. The whole job takes about 20 minutes.
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A dirty toaster oven smokes, smells and can even cause small grease fires, so a quick monthly clean is worth the effort. This guide shows how to clean a toaster oven inside and out, including the glass door, the crumb tray and the rack, plus how to handle burnt-on grease without harsh oven cleaner.
What You Need
- Baking soda and a small bowl
- White vinegar in a spray bottle
- Dish soap and hot water
- Two microfiber cloths and a soft sponge
- A wooden or silicone spatula for scraping
- An old toothbrush for corners and the door seal
- Optional: a lemon, for odor
Skip steel wool and spray oven cleaner. Steel wool scratches the nonstick interior and stainless finish, and most oven cleaners aren’t meant for small appliances with heating elements close to the walls.
How to Clean a Toaster Oven in 6 Steps
Step 1: Unplug and cool completely
Unplug the toaster oven and wait at least 30 minutes if you used it recently. Never spray liquid near the controls or heating elements.
Step 2: Empty the crumb tray
Slide out the crumb tray and tip the crumbs into the trash. Turn the oven upside down over the bin and tap the sides to shake out loose crumbs. This is the step that prevents most smoke and burnt smells.
Step 3: Wash the tray, rack and pan
Soak the crumb tray, wire rack and baking pan in hot water with a squirt of dish soap for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub with a sponge. For stuck-on food, sprinkle baking soda on the damp surface, let it sit for 10 minutes and scrub again. Dry fully before putting them back. Our guide on cleaning oven racks without scrubbing covers the overnight soak for heavily baked-on racks.
Step 4: Clean the interior with baking soda paste
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with about 1 tablespoon of water to make a spreadable paste. Wipe it over the interior walls and floor with a cloth, avoiding the heating elements. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then wipe with a damp cloth, using a toothbrush in corners. Finish with a cloth dampened with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water to remove the white residue.
Step 5: Clean the glass door
Apply the same paste to the glass, let it sit 10 minutes, and wipe in circles. Rinse the cloth and wipe clear, then buff dry with a dry microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish. If grease sits between the glass layers, see our guide to cleaning oven door glass.
Step 6: Wipe the outside and dry
Wipe the exterior with a cloth dampened in soapy water, then dry. For stainless steel, wipe along the grain. Leave the door open for 10 minutes so everything air-dries before you plug it in.
How to Remove Baked-On Grease
Old, dark grease needs patience instead of scrubbing. Spread the baking soda paste thickly over the spot, cover with a damp cloth for 30 minutes to keep it moist, then scrape gently with a spatula and wipe. Repeat once if needed. A degreasing dish soap on a hot, damp cloth also helps. The same approach works for greasy range hood filters.
How to Get Rid of Burnt Smell
- Make sure every crumb is out; that’s the real cause.
- Wipe the interior with a vinegar and water cloth.
- Place a lemon half in an oven-safe dish and heat at 300°F for 10 minutes with the door closed, then cool and wipe.
- Air the kitchen out and run the oven empty at 350°F for 5 minutes once it’s dry.
How to Clean a Toaster Oven Air Fryer
Combo units follow the same steps, with two extras. Wash the air fryer basket or tray in soapy water after each use, since fat builds up quickly. Then gently wipe the fan cover and vent area with a barely damp cloth or a dry toothbrush, never letting water drip into the fan. Check the manual before putting any removable part in the dishwasher.
How to Clean Toaster Oven Heating Elements
The heating elements are the top and bottom rods (metal tubes or quartz tubes) that glow when the oven is on. They burn off most splatters on their own, so they rarely need more than a gentle wipe. Never put baking soda paste, oven cleaner or spray cleaner on them.
- Unplug the oven and let it cool completely, ideally for an hour after heavy use.
- Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with plain water and wring it out until it’s barely damp.
- Gently run it along the length of each element to lift loose soot. Don’t press, scrape or bend the elements, and on quartz tubes use the lightest touch.
- For a stuck crumb on a metal element, tease it off with a dry soft toothbrush. Skip metal tools and steel wool.
- Let the elements dry fully, then run the empty oven at 350°F for 5 minutes to burn off any remaining residue with a window open.
If an element is cracked, warped or sparks, stop using the oven and contact the manufacturer. That isn’t a cleaning problem.
How to Clean the Outside, Top and Control Panel
The outside of a toaster oven collects a sticky film of cooking grease and dust, especially on the top, which sits under cabinets and catches rising steam. Always apply cleaner to your cloth, not directly to the oven, so liquid can’t run into vents or controls.
- Sticky top: wipe with a cloth dipped in hot water and a few drops of degreasing dish soap. Let the warm cloth rest on the film for a minute, then wipe and dry. Repeat once instead of scrubbing.
- Stainless steel sides: wipe along the grain with soapy water, rinse with a damp cloth and buff dry. A drop of mineral oil on a dry cloth hides fingerprints.
- Knobs and buttons: use a barely damp cotton swab around the edges. Most knobs pull straight off for washing; dry them before you push them back on.
- Digital display: use a soft, slightly damp cloth. Wiping a display with a dry cloth can scratch it.
- Door handle and glass outside: soapy cloth, then a vinegar and water cloth for a streak-free shine.
Keep the top clear while the oven is running. Many manuals say not to place anything on top during use, because the top gets hot and isn’t a warming shelf.
Nonstick vs Stainless Interior: What Changes
| Interior type | Best cleaner | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Nonstick coated (most models) | Damp soft cloth, mild dish soap, baking soda paste on stains | Steel wool, scouring powder, oven cleaner, metal scrapers |
| Stainless steel or enamel | Dish soap, baking soda paste, plastic scrub pad | Steel wool, bleach, chlorine scouring powder |
| Air fryer toaster oven | Soapy cloth, soft brush around the fan cover | Water dripping into the fan or vents |
Not sure which you have? Nonstick interiors are usually dark gray or black with a smooth coating; stainless interiors look like brushed metal. When in doubt, treat it as nonstick.
Should You Line a Toaster Oven With Foil?
No. Several toaster oven manuals warn not to cover the crumb tray or any part of the oven with metal foil, because it can make the oven overheat. Foil can also touch the heating elements. Instead, cook messy foods on the baking pan that came with the oven or in a small oven-safe dish, and empty the crumb tray every week. That keeps cleanup easy without blocking airflow.
5-Minute Weekly Toaster Oven Routine
- Unplug and let it cool.
- Slide out the crumb tray and empty it over the trash.
- Wipe the tray and the inside of the door with a damp soapy cloth.
- Wash the rack or pan if you cooked anything greasy.
- Wipe the top and handle, then dry everything and plug back in.
Doing this once a week means the monthly deep clean takes 20 minutes instead of an hour. Pair it with the rest of your small-appliance care: descaling the coffee maker and freshening the garbage disposal fit into the same kitchen reset, and our weekly reset routine shows where they slot in.
How Often to Clean a Toaster Oven
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Empty crumb tray | Weekly, or after greasy cooking |
| Wipe interior and door | Every 2 weeks |
| Deep clean with baking soda paste | Monthly |
| Wash rack and pan | After each greasy use |
A small oven is usually used for toast, reheating and roasting vegetables, so most households do fine with a monthly deep clean. Add it to your regular deep cleaning routine or your kitchen appliance cleaning days.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using spray oven cleaner: fumes and residue are risky in a small appliance.
- Soaking the whole unit or controls: moisture damages electronics.
- Scrubbing with steel wool: it scratches the interior coating.
- Plugging in while damp: always dry fully.
- Lining the crumb tray with foil: manuals warn it can cause overheating.
- Using metal scouring pads: pieces can break off and touch electrical parts.
- Spraying cleaner directly onto the oven: apply it to the cloth so nothing drips into vents or controls.
For more natural recipes, try our microwave cleaning method with lemon next.
Sources and Safety Notes
Safety points in this guide follow manufacturer care instructions: Hamilton Beach toaster oven Use & Care guide (unplug and cool before cleaning, no metal scouring pads, do not cover the crumb tray with foil, regular cleaning reduces fire risk) and Breville’s toaster oven cleaning guide (apply cleanser to the cloth, not the oven; use only a damp cloth on heating elements). Your own model’s manual always comes first.
Keep going: the bigger countertop appliance needs love too. Here’s how to clean an electric roaster oven without scratching the enamel pan.
Keep going: next, how to clean a crock pot with burnt-on food using vinegar and baking soda.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean the inside of a toaster oven?
Unplug it, empty the crumb tray, then wipe the interior with a paste of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water. Let it sit 15 minutes, wipe with a damp cloth and finish with a vinegar and water cloth.
Can you use oven cleaner in a toaster oven?
It’s best not to. Spray oven cleaners can leave fumes and residue and may damage coatings and heating elements. Baking soda paste and dish soap are safer and work well when given time.
How do you clean a toaster oven with baked-on grease?
Spread a thick baking soda paste on the grease, cover with a damp cloth for 30 minutes, then scrape gently with a spatula and wipe clean. Repeat if needed.
How often should you clean a toaster oven?
Empty the crumb tray weekly, wipe the interior every two weeks and do a full baking soda clean monthly, or sooner after greasy foods.
How do you clean a toaster oven air fryer?
Wash the basket or tray after use, clean the interior with baking soda paste, and wipe the fan cover with a barely damp cloth. Never let water get into the fan or controls.
Can you put aluminum foil in the bottom of a toaster oven?
It’s best not to. Many toaster oven manuals warn against covering the crumb tray or any part of the oven with foil because it can cause overheating. Use the baking pan or an oven-safe dish for messy foods and empty the crumb tray weekly instead.
How do you clean toaster oven heating elements?
Unplug the oven and let it cool, then gently wipe the elements with a barely damp soft cloth. Don’t use baking soda paste, oven cleaner or steel wool on them, and let them dry fully before use.
Cleaning a toaster oven takes about 20 minutes: empty the crumbs, wash the tray and rack, then use baking soda paste for the interior and glass. Do it monthly and your toast will never smoke again.