Toaster
A heating element in a slot full of crumbs. The manual's cleaning section sits under an electric-shock heading and a fire heading, which is the correct framing.
What not to do
Unsafe
Do not do this. The risk is established, and it is described below.
Immersion specifically. The manual's prohibition covers water and the dishwasher together, and it sits under an electric-shock heading.
Evidence
Supported
Sources
Bosch Compact Toaster TAT6A913IN Instruction Manual
Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That the appliance must never be immersed in water or placed in the dishwasher, and that it must not be steam-cleaned, stated under a danger-of-electric-shock heading. (states this directly)
Sodium hydroxide is unsafe on Toaster
Unsafe
Do not do this. The risk is established, and it is described below.
The manual prohibits oven and grill spray by name, and caustic soda is what makes those products work.
Evidence
Supported
Sources
Bosch Compact Toaster TAT6A913IN Instruction Manual
Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That oven or grill spray must not be used for cleaning the appliance, and that no strong or abrasive cleaning agents are to be used on the exterior. (states this directly)
Precautions
- Disconnect from the power supply first
- Do not apply to a hot surface
- Check the manufacturer's instructions
Start here
What this is, what tends to go wrong with it, and what to do about it.
Which part are you cleaning?
These parts take different answers. Cleaning one the way you clean another is a common way to damage this.
- Toaster crumb tray
Not an optional convenience. The manual says do not run the toaster without it, and the crumbs it catches are a stated fire risk.
In detail
The interesting thing about a toaster manual is where the cleaning instructions appear. They are not under care and maintenance as a housekeeping matter; they sit beneath a DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK heading, and the crumb instructions beneath a burns-and-fire heading. That placement is the manufacturer telling you what kind of problem this is. Two conditions come first: pull the plug out, and let the appliance cool. Then three prohibitions that rule out most of what people try. Never immerse the toaster in water or put it in the dishwasher. Do not steam-clean it. Do not use oven or grill spray on it — the aggressive alkaline cleaner that suits baked-on oven grease has no business near this. What is left is modest and effective: take the crumb tray out and wipe it, brush crumbs from under the warming rack with a firm brush, and wipe the outside with a damp cloth and no strong or abrasive cleaner. One instruction inverts a common assumption — do not operate the appliance without the crumb tray fitted. And nothing goes into the toast slot, ever, which rules out the knife that is the usual way of retrieving a stuck slice.
What works
Water is safe on, in specific conditions, Toaster
Safe only in specific conditions
This is only appropriate within specific limits. Outside those limits, no claim is made.
Only within these limits:
- Pull the power plug and let the toaster cool down FIRST
- A damp cloth on the exterior only
- NEVER immerse the appliance or put it in the dishwasher
- No steam cleaning; no oven or grill spray
- Crumb tray removed and wiped; crumbs under the warming rack taken out with a firm brush
The two conditions are stated together under a danger-of-electric-shock heading rather than under cleaning, which is where the priority is set.
Precautions
- Disconnect from the power supply first
- Do not apply to a hot surface
Evidence
Supported
Sources
Bosch Compact Toaster TAT6A913IN Instruction Manual
Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That the plug is pulled and the toaster allowed to cool before cleaning, that it must never be immersed or placed in the dishwasher, that steam cleaning and oven or grill spray are prohibited, and that the exterior is cleaned with a damp cloth. (states this directly)
Related
- Toaster has the component Toaster crumb tray
Sources for this page
Sources
Bosch Compact Toaster TAT6A913IN Instruction Manual
Robert Bosch Hausgeräte GmbH · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That the plug is pulled and the toaster allowed to cool before cleaning, that it must never be immersed in water or placed in the dishwasher, that it must not be steam-cleaned, that oven or grill spray must not be used, that the crumb tray is removed and wiped, and that the appliance must not be operated without the crumb tray. (states this directly)