Electrical Safety Advice for Toasters / Sandwich Toasters

Toasters and sandwich toasters usage and safety

A toaster is a handy item in any kitchen but, despite being a small appliance, it is important to use and maintain it properly to prevent accidents.

Most toasters come with options for either two or four slices of bread, but sandwich toasters and panini presses have also become popular. Some expensive models offer temperature settings (depending on the type of bread), cooling racks, and defrost functions.

Sandwich toasters and panini presses feature a pair of top and bottom heated plates that cook food on both sides simultaneously. A panini press generally has a floating hinge suitable for thicker sandwiches whereas a sandwich toaster usually has hot plates to cut and seal the bread.

Key points

Food processors must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse.

Only clean your processor when it is unplugged.

Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn and scorch marks.

Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them.

Buying a toaster or sandwich toaster

Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the appliance may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse.
You will find lots of online reviews of toasters and sandwich toasters but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
Most modern toasters have an automatic shutoff feature which turns off the appliance after a certain amount of time or if the bread gets stuck. This helps prevents overheating and the risk of a fire.
Register your appliance so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a toaster safely

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using and cleaning it.
Keep the toaster away from the sink or any liquids that could spill on it and unplug it when not in use.
Never put anything metal or your fingers into a toaster, as there is a risk of a severe electric shock or burns. If your toast gets stuck, unplug the toaster and use wooden tongs.
Clean out the crumb tray frequently to keep your toaster working properly and prevent fire.
Wipe the toaster down regularly but only when unplugged. And never use water or any sort of cleaner inside it.
If you notice odd smells, sparking or smoke, or if the toaster trips circuit breakers or blows fuses during use, unplug it immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.
Regularly check the plug, socket and cable for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.
Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
Register your appliance with the manufacturer.
Keep your toaster away from the sink or any liquids.
Keep the crumb tray clean.

AVOID

Buying from third-party sellers online.
Putting any metal cutlery or your fingers in the toaster.
Using water or any cleaning products inside the toaster.
Using the toaster if you notice any damage or sparks.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

3 years for a caravan
1 year for a swimming pool

Who should carry out a periodic inspection?

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

My electrician told me that they were registered; however I now believe that they are not, as they have not given me a certificate. What should I do?

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

Heating coils inside a toaster are live and get extremely hot, often exceeding 600 degrees centigrade. During the toasting process, the bread's surface temperature is typically 155-190 degrees centigrade.

Direct contact with the heated surfaces can cause burns, and touching toaster elements with a metal object may lead to electric shock.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Toasters / sandwich toasters