How to Use a Toaster

The toaster is a simple and user-friendly kitchen appliance. Use it to lightly cook slices of bread so that they are darker, crispier, and tastier. First, you'll need to adjust the knob to choose how dark you want your toast. Then, slide your toast into the toasting slots and depress the lever on the front of the appliance. Wait for the toast to cook, and keep your nose open to make sure that it isn't burning. When the lever pops back up, the toast is done.

EditSteps

EditUsing the Toaster

1. Slide one slice of bread into each toaster slot. If you are putting two pieces of bread into the toaster, then use both of the holes at the top.^[1] You can toast many things other than bread – but stick to toasting bread slices until you are more comfortable using the appliance..
   
2. Set the toasting level. Use the adjustment knob on the front of the appliance to choose how dark you want the toast to be. On most toasters, the dial runs from 1-5: 1 being the lightest, and 5 being the darkest. For your first time, try setting the dial somewhere in the middle: 2 or 3.^[2]
   
3. Lower the lever to start the toasting cycle. Wait for the food to toast. Keep your nose peeled to smell for burning! The toasting process should not take longer than a minute or two, depending on how dark you want the toast.
   
4. Remove the food. When the lever pops back up, it means that the toasting cycle is done. The toaster may "ding." Take the toast out using your fingers or a set of wooden tongs. Then, put your favorite spread onto your toast before consuming!
   
   • Whatever you do, do not stick anything metallic into the toaster slots. The toaster heats the toast using powerful electrical currents, and a metal item will conduct the electricity up into your hand. Be safe!

EditChoosing a Toasting Level

1. Err on the light side. If you aren't familiar with the toaster, set the dial to a lower number rather than a higher number. You can always put the slice back in for a bit more heat – but you cannot un-burn a piece of toast!
   
2. Adjust the toast level to the toast eater. If you are making toast for someone else, ask them whether they prefer their toast darker or lighter. If they prefer their toast lighter, then set the dial to the low end: 1 or 2. If they prefer their toast dark, then set it to the high end: 3 to 5.
   
3. Be careful not to burn the toast! If you set the dial to the highest setting, then you are playing with fire. Thick slices may press directly up against the electric heat filaments, which can apply dangerous heat to the food item.
   

EditTroubleshooting a Toaster

1. Make sure that the toaster is plugged in. Most toasters require access to an electric wall outlet. If the toaster is plugged in, but isn't working, then there may be a deeper electrical failure.
   
2. Practice toaster safety. Do not, under any circumstances, put a metal implement into the toaster while it is plugged in. Likewise, do not reach your hand into the toasting slots while the appliance is hot. The toaster works by firing metal filaments up to high heat using dangerous electrical currents. If you use your hand, you may burn yourself. If you put a fork into the slots, then you run the risk of electrocuting yourself.^[3]
   
   • If the toast gets stuck in the slots: try depressing the lever for a moment, then popping it up manually—quickly, with force—to fling the toast out the top of the toaster.
   • Unplug the toaster before you try to remove food that is stuck. Then, use wooden tongs to remove the item. Wooden tongs will not conduct electricity!
3. Clean a toaster when it's not plugged in. Try turning it upside-down to shake out the crumbs that have fallen deep into the slots. Most toasters feature a flat, removable tray that slides in and out of the bottom of the appliance. This tray catches crumbs and burnt bits. Remove the tray and dump out the contents to clear space for more crumbs.
   

EditTips

• The toast may be a little hot when it comes out of the toaster. Consider using a towel or an oven mitt to carry the toast to your plate.
• Practice toaster safety. Try not to set off any smoke alarms.
• Don't just eat your toast plain! Add some jam, honey, butter, nut butter, cream cheese – whatever suits your fancy.

EditWarnings

• Never insert metal objects or body parts into a toaster that's plugged in. You could get zapped by electricity or burnt severely.
• Be very careful when plugging in the toaster.
• Never use any metal item to remove items from the toaster. Remember to unplug the toaster if food gets stuck inside before using wooden tongs to remove the item.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Open a Bottle with No Bottle Opener
• Use Kitchen Scissors
• Descale a Magimix Coffee Maker
• Use a Sharpening Steel
• Take Stuck Food Out of a Toaster

EditSources and Citations

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