How to Clean a Toastie Maker
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The easiest way to clean a toastie maker is to unplug it and wipe the plates with damp kitchen paper while they are still warm but safe to touch, about 5–10 minutes after cooking. For burnt-on cheese, lay a damp cloth or wet kitchen paper on the plates, close the lid for 5 minutes to soften it, then lift it off with a silicone spatula. Never put a toastie maker with fixed plates in water.
Quick answer: Unplug, let it cool until warm, wipe with damp kitchen paper, steam off stubborn bits under a wet cloth, and use only soft cloths, sponges and plastic or wooden tools. Removable plates can usually go in warm soapy water, and some in the dishwasher if the manual explicitly allows it.
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Safety first
- Always unplug before cleaning. Most basic sandwich toasters have no on/off switch, so they are live and heating whenever plugged in.
- Never immerse the body, plug or cable in water or hold it under a tap. Water inside the housing can reach the element and wiring.
- Warm, not hot. Wiping hot plates risks steam burns; waiting until fully cold makes cheese set like glue. The sweet spot is a few minutes after unplugging.
- Dry completely before plugging back in.
Everyday cleaning: fixed plates
Most budget and mid-price sandwich toasters have plates fixed to the body. They are easy to keep clean if you do it after every use.
- Unplug and leave the lid open for 5–10 minutes.
- Fold a sheet of kitchen paper, dampen it (not dripping) and wipe each plate, working into the triangle wells and along the cutting edges.
- For grease, add one drop of washing-up liquid to a damp sponge, wipe, then go over again with a clean damp cloth to remove soap.
- Clean the crumbs from the hinge and the gap between plates and body with a dry pastry brush or an old soft toothbrush.
- Wipe the outer shell with a damp cloth, then dry everything with a tea towel and leave it open for 10 minutes before storing.
Removable plates
Machines with clip-out plates, including many 3-in-1 models, are far easier to deep clean. If that matters to you, our guide to the best toastie makers with removable plates lists the options.
- Unplug and let the plates cool fully before releasing them; they hold heat longer than you think.
- Soak in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes.
- Clean with a soft sponge or a non-scratch (blue or white) pad. A soft-bristled washing-up brush gets into the ridges.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly, including the back of the plate and any contact points, before refitting.
- Wipe the heating area underneath with a barely damp cloth. Do not let water pool in the housing.
Can the plates go in the dishwasher?
Only if the manufacturer says so in the manual or on the box. Some removable plates are listed as dishwasher safe, but even then, hand washing generally extends the life of a non-stick coating because dishwasher detergents are abrasive and alkaline. Fixed-plate machines never go in a dishwasher.
Removing burnt-on cheese and sugar
Leaked cheese, beans sauce or sugary fillings like jam and Nutella caramelise into hard black spots. Work from gentlest to strongest:
| Method | How to do it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Steam soak | Lay wet kitchen paper or a damp cloth over the warm (unplugged) bottom plate, close the lid for 5–10 minutes, then wipe and lift with a silicone spatula. | Most fresh cheese leaks |
| Oil soften | Drop a little vegetable oil on the spot, leave 5–10 minutes, then rub with kitchen paper. | Hard, dry cheese crust |
| Bicarbonate paste | Mix 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water to a paste, spread on the cold plate, leave 15–20 minutes, wipe off gently with a soft cloth. | Old brown stains and caramelised sugar |
| Wooden or silicone scraper | Gently push softened deposits out of corners and along the cutting edge. | Crimp edges and hinge area |
Rinse away any residue with a clean damp cloth and dry. If the plates are still sticky after cleaning, the coating may be worn; see why your toastie is sticking.
Watch out: Do not use metal scourers, wire wool, knives, oven cleaner or harsh abrasive cream cleaners. They strip non-stick coatings, and once a coating is scratched food sticks more and flakes can come away. For what that means in practice, read are non-stick toastie makers safe.
Cleaning the outside, hinge and vents
Grease splatters and fingerprints come off stainless steel or plastic housings with a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid; buff stainless steel dry with a microfibre cloth to stop streaks. Use a dry brush around the hinge, which is where crumbs and burnt butter gather and cause a smell next time you heat it. Never poke anything into vents.
Removing smells and old grease
If your toastie maker smells of old onions or burnt fat when it heats up, there is residue somewhere. Clean the plates with the bicarbonate paste, wipe out the hinge, then heat it empty with the lid shut for 3–4 minutes by an open window. If a burning plastic or electrical smell persists after cleaning, stop using it and check our toastie maker troubleshooting guide.
Habits that make cleaning easier
- Leave a 1 cm border around fillings so cheese does not reach the seal. Our guide to stopping leaks has more.
- Butter the bread, not the plates, and avoid aerosol cooking sprays, which leave a gummy film.
- Put cheese on top of and under wet fillings to hold them in.
- Wipe after every use while warm. It takes 30 seconds and prevents most deep cleans.
- Use the machine as intended. See how to use a toastie maker for the full routine.
For stubborn residue on fixed plates, a heat-resistant silicone or nylon spatula and a soft non-scratch brush do the job without damaging the coating; never use metal scourers or knives.
If your plates are beyond saving, a machine with removable plates is the low-effort upgrade; our best toastie maker roundup notes which models have them.
FAQs
Can I use washing-up liquid on a toastie maker?
Yes, a drop on a damp sponge is fine for the plates and shell. Wipe afterwards with a clean damp cloth so no soap film is left to burn on next time.
Is it safe to use vinegar on toastie maker plates?
Diluted white vinegar (about half and half with water) on a cloth helps with greasy film and smells. Wipe off with clean water afterwards. Bicarbonate of soda is usually more effective for burnt spots.
How often should I deep clean a toastie maker?
If you wipe after every use, a deeper clean every few weeks, or after any big leak, is enough. Removable plates can be washed after each use.
Can I use a magic eraser (melamine sponge) on the plates?
Avoid it on non-stick. Melamine sponges work like very fine sandpaper and will dull and wear the coating. They are fine on a plastic outer shell if used gently.