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Nothing beats the taste of fresh homemade bread. Owning a bread maker at home makes you an expert baker and saves money, as well. However, the challenge comes with cleaning your appliance.
It may seem daunting, but learning how to clean your home bread machine is pretty simple. The trick is knowing how and when to clean the outside and remove any spills or debris left behind inside the bread maker.
Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Bread Maker Cleaning Guide
You can’t simply throw your bread maker in the dishwasher and call it a day. You have to do a few things before you start to clean.
Take a look.
- First, unplug the bread maker from the power source and let it cool off.
- After that, remove the loaf pan and clean it with soap and water.
- Next, scrub the pan gently using non-abrasive cleaning tools.
- Wipe off the top and side parts of the machine using a damp sponge cloth.
- Then, use a small brush to clean the air vents and remove stuck crumbs or pieces of dough.
- Remove all other detachable parts of the machine, including the heating element, and clean them using a damp cloth.
- Finally, dry all parts before reassembling them.
How To Thoroughly Clean the Inside of a Bread Maker
The general rule is to avoid sprinkling water or using a wet cloth when cleaning the inside of your bread maker. Water may leak through the inner crevices, causing some parts to rust and corrode.
Yet, you’ve probably noticed plenty of crumbs, flour dust, and spills left behind inside the machine. So, how to get rid of those and clean the inside of the maker safely?
The first thing you have to do is remove all of the detachable parts. Then, turn the machine on its side and gently sweep out the crumbs or excess flour using a soft brush. Use a damp towel to gently remove any sticky spots for inevitable spills inside the machine. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you can mix a mild detergent soap on the towel for a cleaner finish.
How Often Are Bread Makers Cleaned?
Most bread machine users recommend cleaning the appliance directly after baking. This helps maintain the machine and keep all the parts running smoothly.
Plus, using it without giving it a proper cleaning first isn’t recommended. Machines left uncleaned may contain bits of old, stale bread, which will undoubtedly affect the taste of your baked goods.
How To Clean a Burnt Bread Maker
Unfortunately, when you use home bread makers, burning a few loaves goes with the territory. The good news is that cleaning it is quick and easy.
The most effective way to clean a burnt bread maker is to use baking soda instead of water. Baking soda is a mild cleaning solution that won’t harm your appliance and is safe to use on all the machine’s removable parts.
However, if you find removing any burnt pieces difficult, try using white vinegar to help loosen any burnt bits stuck to the sides. To eliminate the burnt smell in your machine, use white vinegar or lemon juice.
Do You Need To Oil Your Bread Maker?
Aside from learning how to clean your bread machine correctly, you also need to apply oil or lubricant to help keep it in good condition. Sometimes when you operate the maker, you might notice that it’s starting to make unusual noises. This usually means something is wrong with the spindle shaft on your machine’s underside.
When this happens, it’s recommended that you lubricate all the moving parts on the bread maker using a sewing machine oil. Avoid using cooking oil because it will stick to the spindle. Stuck oil will rust the spindle shaft and cause damage to the rubber seals.
Even if it’s not making any weird noise, experts advise that you oil the machine twice a year, primarily if you use it often. This will go a long way in increasing its product life.
Wrap Up
Learning how to clean your bread maker can be just as enjoyable as using it for baking your very own bread at home. Plus, it ensures that your machine stays in excellent condition for longer.
Hopefully, our cleaning guide and simple maintenance tips can make cleaning easier. This way, you can put all your energy into baking delicious, sweet-smelling loaves.
