If your Morphy Richards toaster is producing smoke or a burning smell, this may be caused by trapped food, accumulated crumbs or residue inside the appliance.
A slight odour may also occur when a new toaster is first used. However, visible smoke should not automatically be considered normal.
Follow the guidance below to understand the possible causes and check your toaster safely.
What Should I Do If My Toaster Starts Smoking?
If you notice smoke coming from your toaster:
- Stop the toasting cycle immediately using the cancel button, if safe to do so.
- Switch off and unplug the toaster, provided it is safe to approach.
- Allow the appliance to cool completely before inspecting or cleaning it.
- Check for visible trapped food, crumbs or residue inside the bread slots.
If there are flames or an active fire, do not attempt to remove the bread, move the toaster or use water to extinguish the fire. Move away from the appliance and call 999 if there is a fire.
Do not continue using the toaster if smoke persists or the cause is unclear.
Can Crumbs or Trapped Food Cause My Toaster to Smoke?
Yes. Food debris and accumulated residue can produce smoke or burning smells when exposed to the toaster's heating elements.
Possible causes include:
- Accumulated crumbs: Crumbs collecting inside the toaster can become overheated and begin to smoke.
- Trapped food: Small pieces of bread, crusts or other food may become lodged inside the slots.
- Sticky or sugary residue: Fruit bread, teacakes and similar foods may leave behind residue that can burn during subsequent use.
- Buttered or coated bread: Butter, oils, toppings or fillings may melt and drip onto hot components, producing smoke.
These issues can occur during normal use, particularly if food debris has accumulated over time.
What Foods Can I Put in My Toaster?
Morphy Richards toasters are designed for toasting bread and suitable bakery products that fit safely inside the bread slots.
Foods you can toast include:
- Sliced bread: Standard slices of white, brown, wholemeal or seeded bread, provided they fit comfortably inside the slots.
- Frozen bread: Use the defrost function if your toaster has one.
- Teacakes and small bread rolls: These may be toasted if they fit comfortably inside the slots and contain no fillings or toppings that could melt or drip.
- Crumpets: These may be suitable if they fit properly, remain intact and can be removed safely.
Foods and items you should avoid include:
- Buttered bread: Butter and other spreads can melt and drip onto the heating elements.
- Foods with melting toppings or fillings: Cheese, chocolate, icing, oils and similar ingredients may drip during heating, creating smoke or a fire risk.
- Very thin or broken pieces of bread: These can become trapped inside the toaster.
- Oversized or excessively thick items: Never force food into the bread slots.
- Foods placed across the top of the toaster: Never balance bread, rolls or other food over the slots to warm them.
Important: Food that drips, breaks apart or becomes trapped inside the toaster can leave residue that may smoke or burn during use.
Always empty the crumb tray regularly and ensure food fits comfortably inside the slots without being forced.
How Do I Clean My Toaster to Remove Food Debris?
Regular cleaning helps prevent crumbs and food residue from accumulating inside your toaster.
- Unplug the toaster and allow it to cool completely.
- Remove and empty the crumb tray.
- Check the bread slots for visible trapped food or loose debris.
- Remove accessible loose crumbs following the cleaning instructions in your user manual.
- Refit the crumb tray securely before using the appliance.
Never insert metal utensils into the toaster slots, touch the heating elements, immerse the appliance in water or attempt to dismantle it.
If food is firmly trapped or cannot be removed safely, do not force it out.
If your toaster has produced significant or persistent smoke, cleaning alone does not confirm that it is safe to use again.
Is It Normal for a New Toaster to Smell During First Use?
A slight odour may occur when a new toaster is first heated.
Some Morphy Richards toaster models have specific first-use instructions, including operating the toaster without bread before its first use.
A temporary initial odour is different from persistent smoke, a strong burning smell or signs of overheating.
If your new toaster produces visible smoke or a strong, persistent burning smell, stop using it and contact Customer Support for advice.
Where Should I Position My Toaster?
Your Morphy Richards toaster should be positioned where heat can escape safely during use.
Always ensure your toaster is:
- Not used underneath kitchen cupboards or wall-mounted cabinets. Move the toaster into an open area of the worktop before switching it on.
- Placed on a firm, flat, heat-resistant surface.
- Kept away from curtains, walls and other materials that could be affected by heat.
- Positioned with sufficient space above and around the appliance to allow air to circulate.
- Used with the crumb tray correctly fitted.
Important: Never operate your toaster directly beneath kitchen cupboards, even if there appears to be sufficient space between the toaster and the cupboard above.
Correct positioning helps prevent heat building up around the appliance. However, smoke coming from inside the toaster may still be caused by trapped food, crumbs or accumulated residue.
When Should I Stop Using My Toaster?
Stop using the toaster and keep it unplugged if:
- Smoke continues or returns after routine cleaning.
- There is a strong or persistent burning smell.
- You notice sparking, melting or visible damage.
- Food is trapped and cannot be removed safely.
- The source of the smoke cannot be identified.
Do not attempt to dismantle or repair the toaster yourself.
What If My Toaster Is Still Smoking?
If your toaster continues to produce smoke or you're unable to identify the cause, please contact Morphy Richards Customer Support.
To help our team assess the issue, please provide:
- Model and serial number of your toaster.
- Retailer and date of purchase.
- Proof of purchase, if not already provided.
- When the smoke occurred, including whether this happened during first use or after regular use.
- What food was being toasted when the issue occurred.
- Any checks or cleaning already completed.
- Photographs of the toaster – Please provide a clear photograph taken directly above the toaster, looking down into the bread slots so the inside is clearly visible. Where possible, photographs should show the appliance in its current condition, before any further cleaning.
Ensure the toaster is unplugged and completely cool before taking photographs. Do not insert anything into the slots to obtain a clearer image.
Our team will review the information and advise on the appropriate next steps.
Please leave the toaster unplugged until the issue has been assessed if smoking is persistent, unexplained or accompanied by signs of damage.