Why, not put metal in the toaster?

Question

I have just got some Ciabatta bread stuck in the toaster and had to get it out with a wooden spoon, Is it true that you cant use metal in them? or just an old wives tale? would I get an electric shock or would the metal impliment transfer heat to my hand and burn me? why why why?

Answer 1

It is not a good idea to put metal objects in a toaster because inside the opening of the toaster, where your bread goes, you can see a series of elements. These are the bits that glow red when the bread is down and being toasted.
These elements are thin metal wire type material, which electricity passes through, which causes them to get hot. The bad bit is the electricity, this is 230 volts and toasters use 13 amps (more on this in a mo).
If you put a metal knife into a toaster, and the end touches and breaks through the element, and another part of the knife touches the casing, this will cause a short circuit which will result in a loud bang and a flash of blue as the electric sparks through the metal knife as it conducts or lets the electric pass through it.
If electricity is short circuited, because, basically put, the electric isn't passing through any thing which needs powering, too much electric wiil flow, this should cause a fuse in the plug to blow to turn off the supply of electric. some times the electrc may flow through you if you were touching the toaster casing causing an electric shock.
Now about the amps, if a toaster uses 13 amps, and you got a shock from holding it and sticking a knife in it, the electric could travel up your arm and accross your heart, this could kill you by stopping your heart, or at least seriously messing it up! I only takes 8 milli amps, thats 0.008amps across the heart to kill you.
So be careful with electric and don't stick any thing metal in a toaster!

Answer 2

Metal In Toaster

Answer 3

Well, a simple suggestion would be to switch off your toaster for a couple of minutes before sticking any metal in just in case.

Unless there's loose connection of wires, i.e. the wire pass through the metal surface of the toaster, you should be fine. In such unfortunate scenario in which the wire loosen, you will get electrocuted when you touch the toaster anyway.

Also, metal spoon do not conduct heat that fast. Radiation as a mean of heat transfer is often used in toaster. However, it will take some time for the spoon to heat up.

Answer 4

As people have said, the filaments are heated by passing electricity through them. So sticking in a metal knife, if it touches the filaments while the toaster is on, electricity can be passed through the knife.

I did it about two months ago, as I wasn't thinking at the time. It blew the switch (if you don't know what that is, it's kind of a resettable fuse for the whole house). I was frigging shocked, but whether just because I thought "I could have just electrocuted myself" or because I actually received an electric shock I don't know. Other than that nothing happenned though.

Answer 5

The inside of the toaster heats up because electricity is being passed through the metal, which generates heat. Sticking another metal object onto one with a current through it can give you a zap.

I'd advise against jamming a fork/knife into it, but using it carefully isn't a problem. Or just unplug the toaster before poking inside.

Answer 6

Firstly, turn the toast off !
Try turning the toaster off, turning it upside down, and shaking it until the bread falls out. This usually works.

If this fails, then while you have the toaster upside down, trying prizing the bread out by stabbing it with a fork. But don't dig too deep. There are sensitive wires inside a toaster.

If no luck, try breaking the bread up with the fork. Go for the middle of the bread so as to avoid the toasting wires.

If this fails, come round to my place. I have a licence to run a toaster - lol.

Answer 7

As dm318830 said if it is unplugged you won't get electrocuted but you are quite likely to damage the heating elements. Try with wooden spatulas either side of the bread. If you want to toast Ciabata get a grill toaster like the one George Foreman advertised as Ciabata will always jam in a normal toaster.

Answer 8

Because there is a thin metal wire inside the toaster which heats up until it literally glows red, if you go poking this with anything metal while it is switched on you are likely to break the wire and receive a shock!!!

Answer 9

If you plug out the toaster and wait a few seconds until its cooled down. its ok to put a knife in it when turned off, but try turn the toaster upside down first and see if it will fall out. Its safer! It shouldn't be dangerous if its plugged out! but never do it when its on or the electricity will pass from the toaster throught the knife into your body and electrocute you.

Answer 10

Metal would conduct the electricity and shock you. Well, that's what my Mum told me when I was a kid, as a consequence I know approach the toaster in the same manner I would approach an alligator...very carefully.