You can toast many things other than bread but stick to toasting bread slices until you are more comfortable using the appliance.

Consider setting the dial somewhere in the middle: 2 or 3. This way, if the toast is not dark enough, you can always toast it again. Some toasters have other settings, such as light, medium, or dark. Other toasts have options for waffles, toast, and bagels. In this case, choose the setting that best matches whatever it is that you’re toasting.

Even though the toaster is timed and will pop the bread out on its own, you should never leave it unattended. If the bread starts to burn, you’ll have to pop it manually. To pop the toaster manually, hold the top corner of the toaster down while you lift the lever up. You should only do this if things start to burn, however.

Never use anything metal to take the toast out, or you may electrocute yourself.

For example, if you start with a medium setting, and the toast comes out too light, you can toast it again using a low setting.

If you can’t ask the person what they like, choose a medium setting. This way, the toast will be neither too light or too dark.

If you accidentally burn your toast, hold it over a sink, then use a knife to scrape the burnt parts off. Be aware that there will be lots of crumbs! Watch your toast carefully as it heats. If you see it starting to burn, don’t wait for it to pop. Push the level up manually!

If plugging the toasted into a different outlet doesn’t help, then the toaster might be broken. Don’t use the toaster if the cable appears damaged in some way. Check for damage, such as rips, tears, or scorch marks.

If the toast gets stuck in the slots: try depressing the lever for a moment, then popping it up manually—quickly, with force—to fling the toast out the top of the toaster. Unplug the toaster before you try to remove food that is stuck. Then, use wooden tongs to remove the item. Wooden tongs will not conduct electricity!

If your toaster doesn’t have a tray, unplug it first, then carry it over to a sink or trashcan. Turn it upside down and shake the crumbs out. You need to remove these crumbs; otherwise, they become a fire hazard.