One chore that's often neglected is keeping the toaster clean, a necessary task for the longevity of the appliance. A cleaning expert has shared some top tips

10:35, Fri, Nov 22, 2024 | UPDATED: 10:38, Fri, Nov 22, 2024

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cropped shot of young man drinking coffee at home

A cleaning expert shared his top tips for keeping toasters clean to prevent catching fire (Image: Getty)

Toast is undoubtedly one of the nation's favourite breakfast staples, with many Brits indulging in the buttery, jam or marmalade-topped delight each day.

Yet, many seem to forget about a critical piece of housekeeping ensuring the toaster stays crumb-free, vital for its ongoing performance.

A cleaning expert from Morphy Richards, a cooking appliances firm, has spotlighted the dire need for routine toaster upkeep and proffered sage advice on keeping it pristine.

This expert marked out that the most crucial bit to maintain is sneakily hidden at the base.

A surprising number of toast lovers may not realise their toasters have built-in crumb catchers meant to snag bread bits on the downslide.

French Bread toaster.

Look out for the toaster's crumb tray (Image: Getty)

Christian Strandoo, a product guru at Morphy Richards, said: "The crumb tray sits underneath your toaster and catches errant crumbs so that they don't build up inside the toaster slots.

"If you've never noticed it before, the crumb tray compartment can usually be opened from the back of the toaster and it will slide out from underneath."

He stressed that these trays are essential in averting potential burn and smoke mishaps, yet overlooking them can lead to grave danger.

He suggests a thorough scrub-down of these trays no less frequently than every seven days, reports the Mirror.

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To keep your toaster in impeccable condition, simply pull out the crumb tray from beneath the appliance, dispose of the crumbs in the rubbish bin, and use a moist paper towel or cloth to wipe away any remaining particles before reinserting it.

Christian emphasised that this habit isn't just for hygiene it's a crucial safety practice to stop the crumbs from burning or causing smoke within the toaster.

He further explained: "Cleaning the crumb tray regularly will increase the lifespan of the product which of course will be cost-saving and more sustainable over time."