KitchenCommon
Toaster and toaster oven
Also called toaster, toaster oven.
Nichrome on mica, a mechanical timer or a simple board, and a thermal fuse. The pop-up mechanism is a bimetal or an electromagnet, depending on the era.
A donor is the dead machine. The parts below are what is still worth removing from it. “Leave it” is a part that is physically in there and should stay in there: too dangerous, too worn, or only useful as part of a repair you are not doing.
A scrapped machine is a box of parts that failed at different times. The reason it was thrown out is often one bad piece. The motor, the cord, the supply, and the screws are frequently still good. This index says which is which.
Why it is in the trash while the parts are not
It no longer pops, or a coil broke. Broken nichrome is usually not worth rewinding.
Before you open it
Do this while it is still unplugged, cool, and not leaking. Unplug. Empty the crumbs outside.
Where the dead machine usually is
- Kitchen — In the house
- Bulk trash day — Curb
Crumb trays are full of crumbs that will burn if you test it on the bench.
How it comes apart
Side screws. Note how the carriage latches before you let the spring go.
Tools: Phillips, Meter.
Words on this page
- thermal fuse
- A one-time safety link that opens when it gets too hot and stays open. It is not a switch you can reset. Replacing it with wire removes the protection.
What to take
The table is the short version. The notes under it describe that part inside this machine, not only the general description.
| Part | Call | How many | How often | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nichrome wire | Worth pulling | 2–4 | usually | On mica cards. |
| Thermal fuse | Worth pulling | 1 | usually | In the wiring. |
| Bimetal thermostat | Bonus | 1 | sometimes | The timer on older pop-ups. |
| Solenoid | Bonus | 1 | sometimes | Electronic pop-ups. |
| Spring | Worth pulling | 1 | always | Carriage return. |
| Panel switch | Bonus | 1 | usually | The lever. |
Worth pulling
Mains element, several hundred watts per card.
On mica cards.
Keep the mica. Do not let coils touch.
Brittle if it has already been overheated.
One-shot.
In the wiring.
Test continuity.
Often the actual fault.
A real spring.
Carriage return.
Control it.
Good.
Bonus
A heater-warmed bimetal releases the carriage.
The timer on older pop-ups.
Amusing, not precise.
Fatigued.
Holds the carriage down.
Electronic pop-ups.
Short duty.
Good.
Mains.
The lever.
Test.
Good.