What's the Best Way to Clean This Vintage Toaster? Good Questions

Q: We recently received this 1920's Hotpoint toaster as a gift, in "as-found condition." It has a bit of a grimy, greasy coating on the outside and may have been stored in a garage or barn. What is the best way to clean this vintage toaster so it can be used again for making toast?

I was considering using an abrasive powder, but I don't want to use anything that needs to be rinsed with water in case it damages the metal or the electrics.

Sent by Tucker

Editor: Readers, do you have any advice for cleaning vintage appliances like this?

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(Image: Tucker via the Kitchn submission form)

Categories: Supplies, Advice, Main, Housekeeping & Cleaning, Product, Product & Shopping Questions, Questions, Toasters

Posted by Anjali Prasertong

Anjali is a former private chef who is currently pursuing a graduate degree in nutrition, with plans to become a registered dietitian. You can read more of her health-focused writing at http://www.eatyrgreens.com/.
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Comments (9)

White vinegar, soft rag, elbow grease.

I collect old radios and I have found, especially with older electronics, that it's fairly easy to remove the "electronics" from the body of the appliance.

I'd suggest doing that and then cleaning and disinfecting the body before reassembling. Maybe just get some canned air for the electronics portion.

Good luck!

Flitz metal polish

If it's greasy you may wish to try a test spot with a soft rag and WD-40 to dissolve the grime. Follow it up with white vinegar/water solution to clean off the WD-40. Buff dry.

Also, when using solutions or sprays, spray onto the cloth and not the item.

Like Bill L , I would recommend removing the electronics (as scary as that seems) and cleaning the housing. Replace the wall cord (1920s vintage equipment used cotton as an insulator). If the heating coils break as you remove them, they probably will, an appliance supply house will have NiChrome wire by the foot that you can stretch the coils and replace the heating elements. If you are not comfortable doing this kind of work yourself, look for a hacker-space locally or pay an appliance repairman to make sure the unit is safe. As old as it is, it will not have modern UL safety devices installed and fire or electrocution is not the way to be made aware of any defects after the extended storage.
Looks like a fun project.

BruceB

I'd unscrew the panels and clean them with bar keepers friend. That eats thru everything

I second BarKeepers Friend. Soft cloth.
Cheers
irina

Thanks guys! Barkeeper's Friend was the first thing I thought of, but I wanted some second opinions! Also a great tip about updating the electrics! I didn't know they used cotton as an insulator! Thanks everyone!