Toaster oven door doesn't close completely

[cloudsail]

We have a black and decker toaster oven that's about ten years old and it still works fine (*knock on wood*) except the door often doesn't close completely anymore. There's a small gap at the top. I've been trying to think how to fix this and so far haven't been able to come up with anything (like if I use magnetic stickers none are thin enough to not cause a gap). Any ideas?

[johnnyqnola]

They make magnetic strip tape, but I don't know how it holds up to heat. I'd bet you can find strip (non-pliable) magnets out there somewhere though to glue on in a way that allows the door to close.

Alternatively, somewhere inside the oven is 1 or 2 worn out springs that MAY be replaceable without demolishing it. That's why it's not closing. I'd try taking it all apart first to see if you can replace those.

[middo]

Can it be held closed tightly?  I mean, is it a case of not pulling shut or the door has warped or something.

I would guess there is some sort of spring mechanism attached to the door hinge that pulls it shut properly.  That spring has probably lost some of its "springiness" over time due to being repeatedly heated.  You may be able to open it up, find the spring and refashion it, or just shorten it a but.  It really depends on how much effort you can put into it, and the actual shape and style of the spring.

[Just Joe]

Have you popped the cover on the oven? Might be crumbs or other debris in the wrong places.

[cloudsail]

They make magnetic strip tape, but I don't know how it holds up to heat. I'd bet you can find strip (non-pliable) magnets out there somewhere though to glue on in a way that allows the door to close.

Alternatively, somewhere inside the oven is 1 or 2 worn out springs that MAY be replaceable without demolishing it. That's why it's not closing. I'd try taking it all apart first to see if you can replace those.

Ah, I hadn't even thought about the heat resistance issue of stick on magnets. Oops.
It's definitely the springs but not entirely sure if I'm confident about taking it apart and being able to put it back together again lol. I'll take a look and see.

[cloudsail]

Can it be held closed tightly?  I mean, is it a case of not pulling shut or the door has warped or something.

I would guess there is some sort of spring mechanism attached to the door hinge that pulls it shut properly.  That spring has probably lost some of its "springiness" over time due to being repeatedly heated.  You may be able to open it up, find the spring and refashion it, or just shorten it a but.  It really depends on how much effort you can put into it, and the actual shape and style of the spring.

Yes it can close tightly, and actually sometimes does stay closed, but most times does not.

[cloudsail]

Have you popped the cover on the oven? Might be crumbs or other debris in the wrong places.

I've cleaned the part that catches crumbs and also the top part because I also thought something was maybe in the way. It actually doesn't affect the operation of the oven but presumably makes it less efficient and use up more energy because of heat escaping. Though it is a very small oven so not sure how much extra energy use it would cause.

[Just Joe]

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-TO1787SS-Functions-Stainless/dp/B0CKLXZRMC/

Time for new oven? We generally get 5-6 years out of these ovens and then recycle them.

Our last oven was not a B&D but Cuisinart. Lasted about a decade. Timer broke.

Replaced it with a larger Hamilton-Beach for ~$100 on sale.

I repair everything at our house when able but I don't work on these little ovens b/c I see them as consumables that I want to work well and not be a fire risk.

I bought a ~$25 brand you've never heard of oven for our camper. It is seldom used so it'll probably last forever.

[GilesMM]

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-TO1787SS-Functions-Stainless/dp/B0CKLXZRMC/

New oven?

Thrift stores have them for cheap, often unused.  We have one in our pantry right now which is used about three times per year!

[cloudsail]

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-TO1787SS-Functions-Stainless/dp/B0CKLXZRMC/

Time for new oven? We generally get 5-6 years out of these ovens and then recycle them.

Our last oven was not a B&D but Cuisinart. Lasted about a decade. Timer broke.

Replaced it with a larger Hamilton-Beach for ~$100 on sale.

I repair everything at our house when able but I don't work on these little ovens b/c I see them as consumables that I want to work well and not be a fire risk.

I bought a ~$25 brand you've never heard of oven for our camper. It is seldom used so it'll probably last forever.

What, they're 40 bucks now?? They were all like $100 ten years ago!

Okay yeah maybe not worth fixing hahaha, I'd assumed like everything else they'd only gone up in price, not down.

[sonofsven]

Get one of those thick hardcover How To Fix Everything In Your Home books, cover it with aluminum foil, and lean it against the door. ;-)
Or take it apart.
Half the time when I fix something I just take it apart and the fix is obvious. Or you break it, either way, problem solved.

[Just Joe]

I remembered that a couple of toaster ovens back the door spring failed. Rusted and the end loop broke off. A more recent 15+ year old microwave did the same thing. That one was fatigue and not rust.

The B&D ovens are not expensive. The Hamilton-Beach or Cuisinart ovens are more expensive. Not sure if the price difference yields quality or durability or less money your wallet.

We have a H-B toaster oven and coffee maker at home. DW and I joke H-B appliances are like the Honda of kitchen appliances. Durable, and not as expensive as other brands.