How to Remove Grease From a Toaster Oven Broiler

Remove grease to prevent oven odors and fires.

Maintaining your toaster oven broiler can prevent buildup on interior surfaces, trays and racks that can ruin your appliance -- and your food. While toaster ovens provide a quick and simple way to toast, broil or reheat food, splatters and spills lead to grease accumulation that hardens onto surfaces. Grease buildup is evident in black or brown stains, a burnt odor or smoke that emanates while cooking and can lead to oven fires. Remove the grease by soaking and scrubbing the toaster oven and its accessories in a solution that contains degreasing agents.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towel or pastry brush
• Hot water
• Dish soap with degreaser
• Soft sponge
• Nylon scouring pad
• Towel

Instructions

1. Turn off and unplug the toaster oven. Allow the oven to cool, if necessary. Remove the oven trays and racks. Open the toaster oven door. Hold the toaster oven above your sink or garbage can, turn it upside down and shake it to remove crumbs, or brush the crumbs out with a paper towel or soft-bristled pastry brush.

2. Fill your sink halfway with hot water. Add 2 tablespoons of a degreasing dish detergent. Soak a sponge in the mixture and wipe the interior of the toaster oven, including the glass door. Submerge the trays and racks in the sink to soak for about 10 minutes. Scrub the grease off the trays and racks with a sponge or nylon scouring pad.

3. Rinse the trays and racks with water and a sponge, and wipe down the interior of the toaster oven broiler with a wet sponge. Dry the oven and accessories with a towel. Replace the trays and pans.

Tips & Warnings

• Leaving a toaster oven plugged in while cleaning it or plugging it in while wet can result in electrical shock.

References

• Cuisinart; Classic Toaster Oven Broiler Instruction and Recipe Booklet; 2001
• Black and Decker; Electronic Toast-R-Oven User Manual; 2003
• "Good Housekeeping"; Transform Your Toaster; Heloise