DIY: Repair a Toaster -1
Jelly, bread crumbs, raisins, and melted butter can gum up important components of a toaster; if the bread toasts on only one side, an element may be burned out. Don’t pitch the toaster; in most cases, you can repair it yourself. Tools: screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, pliers, needle-nosed pliers, artists’ brush, fine emery board, vacuum cleaner. Materials: replacement parts as required, silicone lubricant or heat-resistant oil, soft cloths. Time: about 2 hours.
Although toasters all work on the same basic principle, they don’t conform to a specific design; use these repair procedures as guidelines, not absolute standards. If the parts of the toaster are held together with screws or plugs (friction-fit), you’ll probably be able to make the repair. If the parts are held together with rivets or welds-and many toasters are-take the toaster to a professional repairman; don’t try to fix it yourself. If the toaster needs extensive repairs, replacing it may be your best bet.
Replace worn or damaged parts with new parts made specifically for the toaster. Buy the parts from an appliance repair dealer or an appliance parts store, or order them directly from the manufacturer.
Caution : Before starting to work, make sure the toaster is unplugged. Clean the toaster frequently with the blower of a vacuum cleaner or a small artists’ brush. Crumbs and other food debris can cause the toaster to malfunction, and removing this debris sometimes eliminates the malfunction.
If the cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, take the toaster apart. Remove the screws on the bottom of the toaster housing to expose the components. If the toaster doesn’t have a one-piece housing, remove the side panels by slipping the panels up and off the toaster frame. The lever controls are usually friction-fit; pull them off with pliers.
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The next chapter of this post goes to: How to Repair Your Toaster
