DO IT YOUR WAY: Useful home tips.

WINNING TIP

My pop-up toaster ( pic 1) slowed right down, until it was more of a crawl-up toaster. Also, after it finally did pop, the heating element didn’t switch off, so we were burning our toast regularly.

When trying to disassemble it ( after unplugging it!), I discovered it has those funny screws with triangular recesses in the head ( pic 2). Fortunately, my jeweller’s screwdrivers ( pic 3) fitted nicely, and I was able to remove all the screws ( pic 4).

Next, I gently pulled off the depressor handle ( pics 5 and 6). I found that the pop-up mechanism slides up and down a small vertical shaft ( pics 7 and 8). This was all gunged up with burnt grease and toast crumbs, so I cleaned it and added fresh lubricant.

The power contacts were in a separate vertical slider arrangement (‘up’ in pic 9; ‘down’ in pic 10). I clicked the plastic slider out and found that it was also all gunged up ( pic 11). I gave it a thorough clean.

I then lifted out the spring that raises this assembly and stretched it from 21.5 mm to 26 mm ( free length) ( pics 12 and 13). When I placed it back in its retainer hole, it was now sitting just proud of the top lip ( pic 14).

After reassembly, my pop-up toaster works like new, and I’ve easily saved about R450 by not having to buy another one. Perhaps some other readers have had similar issues with their toasters, and will find this helpful. G Thomas, Cape Town

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