Clean toaster "once a week" to avoid "smoking or burning"; this will "extend life"

Toast is a popular breakfast option around the world and is often accompanied by condiments such as jam, chocolate spread, honey and butter. The bread is usually heated in a toaster and dried to produce a crusty, golden loaf.

Like other appliances , toasters need regular cleaning to keep them working properly.

With that in mind, an expert from Morphy Richards revealed why homeowners should always clean their toaster's crumb tray.

Many people don't even realize their toaster has a crumb tray. This is usually located on the bottom of the toaster.

While many of us don't even know our crumb drawer exists, or only clean it when we move, for toast lovers it's actually very important to clean ours "at least once a week."

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The tray can also be washed in hot, soapy water for stubborn stains, but must be completely dry before replacing in the toaster.

Christian Strandoo, product manager at Morphy Richards, said: "There are really two types of toaster owners: those who regularly empty their toaster's crumb drawer and those who don't even know they exist.

"The crumb tray sits under the toaster and catches loose crumbs so they don't build up in the toaster slots.

"In case you haven't noticed, the crumb tray usually opens on the back of the toaster and slides out from the bottom.

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"Some toasters, like four-slice models, may have more than one compartment."

Christian said there are two reasons why the garbage collector should be cleaned regularly: safety and efficiency.

He said: "Safety first - it's very important to clean the crumb catcher regularly as crumbs can smoke or burn.

"Secondly, regular cleaning of the crumb catcher increases the life of the product, which of course is economical and more durable over time."

So how often should we clean our toaster crumb drawers? "Check the directions for your particular toaster," Christian said.

"Emptying the crumb tray after each use is ideal, but for a family that eats a lot of toast, about once a week should be enough.

"To empty the crumb tray, it's important to wait until the toaster has completely cooled and then tap the sides of the housing lightly to loosen any crumbs still stuck in the slots.

"Then just pull out the crumb catcher and brush the contents into the bin. Don't forget to put it back on before your next toast.

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