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It’s a love-hate relationship with small appliances.
It’s easy to love the healthy smoothies your blender serves up every morning, and to marvel at how seamless your food processor transforms whole peanuts into creamy peanut butter at the push of a button.
But that love is short-lived, because every culinary creation culminates in a sudsy cleaning mess. Just how exactly is one supposed to manoeuver around those tiny blades, and what kind of magic wand will remove caked on foods buried into the hard-to-reach crevices?
It’s time to learn, once and for all, the proper way to clean your small appliances. Always start by unplugging the device—the rest is easier than you might think.
Blenders
After every use, dismantle all the pieces of your blender’s pitcher (remove the bottom, the blades, etc.) and wash each piece separately, reassembling the pieces once everything is dry. Use extra caution around the blades.
If your model cannot be easily disassembled, simply rinse out the pitcher and fill it partway with water. Squeeze in some dishwashing liquid, and blend the concoction on high for about a minute.
Even with ongoing maintenance, you might notice a cloudy build-up in your blender. To restore it, fill the blender about halfway with a water/white vinegar blend. Squeeze in a spot of dishwashing liquid, and toss in a few lemon slices.
Standing Electric Mixers
The key to a clean mixer is ongoing maintenance. You should wipe down the machine after each use. Hand-washing the attachments is the best option. Crevices clogged with caked on goods? A toothpick and a little patience should do the trick.
Food Processors
Much like blenders, food processors should be completely disassembled for cleaning. Most pieces can be soaked in warm, soapy water. The exception is the blade, which should be carefully cleaned with a soapy cloth, but not left to sit in the water. Avoid using abrasive materials on your food processor pieces. Simply wipe down the base to keep it clean.
To neutralize any lingering smells in the processor’s bowl, mix equal parts water and baking soda to coat the inside of the bowl. After an hour, rinse it all out.
Coffee Makers
A simple concoction of equal parts white vinegar and water will be just what you need to refresh your coffee carafe. Fill the pot with the mixture and let it sit for a few hours. As for the innards, “brew” a few pots of water to rinse everything out.
Coffee and Spice Grinders
Neutralize the odors coming from your coffee and spice grinders by grinding up uncooked white rice or stale bread, which will absorb any lingering oils. Try instant rice, which is a little easier on the blades.
Hand Blenders (a.k.a. Immersion Blenders)
Remove the blending attachment from the electric part, and let the attachment soak in soapy water for a few minutes, then wipe it down. If any stubborn food remains stuck, you can always use the hand blender in a bowl of water mixed with vinegar to dislodge stray food particles. Carefully turn the hand blender on with the attachment end immersed in the water/vinegar mix. The upper portion of the blender can be wiped down with a cloth.
Toasters
Always wait for your toaster to cool before cleaning it. Most toasters have a crumb tray that can be removed and emptied, then wiped down before being returned to its rightful slot. You can also turn the toaster upside down and gently shake it over a sink or garbage bin to dislodge clinging crumbs. The exterior of your toaster should be wiped down regularly.
A final tip that can be universally applied to your small appliances? Never spray cleaner directly onto the appliance: instead, spray it onto a cloth, and use the cloth to wipe it down.
