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Why You Should Always Empty Your Toaster Draw Once A Week
Published
Hands up if you're guilty of not emptying your toaster drawer as often as you should? *Raises hand*...
According to experts, you should be emptying the tray under your toaster every week, and there's a very good reason why.
You can watch a clip below:
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Every toaster should come with drawers to catch the crumbs that build up from bread.
While some social media users have admitted to not realising they had these - never mind that they needed emptying - others were totally oblivious to how often they need to be removed.
Dan Little, brand director at J Brand - an electrical installations company that specialise in fire alarm services - explained that the drawers should ideally be emptied after every use. But, every week should suffice.
"To be entirely safe, it should be every time you use them. But we all have busy lives, so every week or two should suffice depending on the frequency of use," says Dan.
"Keep a careful eye out though to ensure that any larger bits of food are not left stuck in the toaster."
Dan explained why leaving crumbs in the toaster can be such a risk, and advised making the task part of a weekly clean.
"Toasters produce heat, so it's not a surprise that they are potential fire hazards. The electric elements generate an enormous level of heat, so any build up within the toaster can catch fire with ease if there is a sufficient amount," Dan continues.
"This is especially risky as it can happen once you've left the room with your breakfast and there are often various other flammable bits of equipment nearby.
"A simple solution is to make it part of your weekly clean. Mop the floor, clean the dishwasher filter and empty your toaster drawer. It takes 10 seconds, but the cost of not doing it could be significant."
Alex MacArthur, General Manager at North West Fire Solutions agrees, adding that it's important to make sure that larger pieces of bread haven't become stuck.
"There won't be many who have emptying the toaster drawer high up on their list of household chores, but it's something that mustn't be overlooked. Left unchecked, your toaster could become a potential fire hazard," Alex tells Tyla.
"A quick emptying of the drawer every couple of weeks should be enough to keep the risk of fire low, but it is important to regularly clean out the drawer to prevent a build up of crumbs and after each use, check that larger pieces of bread and any other foods haven't become stuck, that could then act as a fuel for fire."
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