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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Toaster on or off?

118 replies

abacucat · 14/09/2018 14:15

My DP and I disagree about whether when the toaster is not being used, it should be switched off or on at the plug. I say it should be switched off. DP says it doesn't matter and usually leaves it on. So who is right?

OP posts:

allysally · 14/09/2018 16:24

@bumpsadaisy11 I read every single comment on this thread and my response was 'nah, I'll chance it. I'll leave everything plugged in and switched on, kettles, toasters, chargers, etc. I'll put the dishwasher, washing machine and tumblr dryer on and in use over night, etc. For convenience.'

Then I read your comment and I'm not going to chance it anymore. No more using appliances over night or leaving things switched on.

I'm sorry you and your family went through that. Sorry you lost your cats. How awful.

PineappleTart · 14/09/2018 16:25

I switch everything off at the plug. DP is the opposite and occasionally wonders why the kettle takes so long to boil etc....

theunsure · 14/09/2018 16:25

I leave everything on at the plug! Load of nonsense about switching sockets off.
That'd drive me potty!

TheKitchenWitch · 14/09/2018 16:26

Doesn't anyone wonder why it's only a fire hazard in the UK? As I said above, there is no "off at the wall" switch in most other countries...

bumpsadaisy11 · 14/09/2018 16:31

@allysally Before we had our fire, we NEVER EVER thought that it would happen to us, things like that always happen to other people.

Our fire was caused by an electrical fault & according to the Fire Brigade, we were very lucky that no one was killed.

If I can get just one person to start turning sockets off, then I feel that some positive has come from such a horrific situation.

Padparadscha · 14/09/2018 16:31

I leave it all plugged in. We have an Eco microwave anyway, that requires switching on every time we use it and automatically turns off after a while. The washing machine is plugged in an odd place that would be bloody awkward to turn on/off every time we used it (often!). Of course, everything goes off if we’re away a while, only trust the fridge .

Storm4star · 14/09/2018 16:32

we had the Fire Safety Officer round, to check the house over & put our mind at rest. He advised us to turn all switches off at night, as well as never having the dishwasher or washing machine on over night, or when you are not in the house

Firstly, bumpsadaisy, I'm so sorry you went through all that you did.

People laugh at me because I always follow this advice. Every single switch in this house is off at night expect for the fridge freezer (only as I have no choice on that one!). It took me many years to get out of the habit of also unplugging everything! But turning the switches off is one I will always continue to do. Likewise not using appliances when I'm not here. I always think better safe than sorry.

Wispaismyfave · 14/09/2018 16:39

This has filled me with rage over the years. My husband is a switcher offer, I am not. I don't see the point and get so annoyed when I put my toast in and it won't stay down. I've had many discussions about the logic of turning off the plug and I've concluded there is none. EXCEPT when he makes crumpets, the idiot sticks the metal knife into the crumpet to get them out. He says it's fine as it's switched off!!! He's been told he has to stop this as we have kids now and I don't want them thinking a bloody knife in a toaster is ok!! So the toaster can stay on .

Microwave and cooker have clocks on so are never turned off, kettle never off, why the toaster? What's going to happen?

WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 14/09/2018 16:40

Off, it actually states on the side of my dualit (or underneath I can't remember) that it's an attended appliance and should always be switched off at the wall. It's a known fire risk.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 14/09/2018 16:43

How do people in countries without switches unplug anything without freaking out? My in-laws have a few plugs that don't have switches and pulling out the iron fills me with such anxiety that I might get a shock... Probably completely irrational but I can't help it.

Oh and we switch off anything that is easy to reach so all small appliances like kettle,toaster and microwave (no clock on it, it's one of those super simple two knob affairs) get turned off. Just a habit we have that's all.

Loveandlaughter88 · 14/09/2018 16:50

I have to unplug mine because the socket I use for it trips occasionally so it's a safety issue but kettle, coffee maker, microwave, tv all stay plugged in and switch on until bed when I'll go round switching off all sockets. My kettle, coffee maker and kitchen tv are on an extension cord that's difficult to get to so it would just be annoying to continually have to unplug and plug in again when they both get used several times a day and tv is on constantly to listen to music.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 14/09/2018 16:52

The only thing I switch off at the wall is the TV but that is because it is old and actually does use power even when switched off at the set.

I understand the sense of never having the washing machine on overnight or while out of the house but if I had to make sure I was always at home and not in bed while the machine is running we would soon run out of clean clothes!

bigbluebus · 14/09/2018 16:58

I do actually switch my toaster off at the wall - it's the only appliance that gets switched off. I think it is habit from the days when DS was small and likely to post something in the slot and could easily pull the lever down to activate it. DS is 21 now so probably not necessary

As those who live in other European countries have pointed out they have no switches , i have also noticed the presence of sockets in bathrooms - something which you would never see in this country. Clearly we Brits are extremely safety conscious.

BackforGood · 14/09/2018 17:08

using his logic would he leave the microwave , kettle and cooker switched on too when not in use?

er.... I don't know about OP's dh, but I would. Think that is pretty normal.

Bumpsadaisy - what an awful thing to go through . I totally understand your campaign, coming from where you do.

starcrossedseahorse · 14/09/2018 19:10

daisy your house fire sounds awful, I am terribly sorry that happened.

Was the fire because you had left a switch on though or was there another cause?

JessieMcJessie · 14/09/2018 19:44

Our microwave has a clock in it, it is clearly meant to be left plugged in. I can’t believe that an appliance which is, by some people’s reckoning, a fire hazard, could be passed as safe for sale in the UK. Each to their own but life is too short, in my opinion, to go round turning off kitchen appliances at the socket.

And the people who put their toasters away in the cupboard-I can barely believe that is actually done, it’s like something from another planet! (I do love toast). And you must have a hell of a lot of spare cupboard space on your planet wherever it is...

gingeristhenewblack43 · 14/09/2018 20:17

I would never put my washing machine on over night, about 10 years ago exH and I had been on a camping trip and no one sleeps well while camping!

Got home, unloaded all our gear and set the washer away. We snuggled on the sofa glad of the warmth and finally being dry, and both fell asleep. Woken by the washer making funny noises and smoke coming out of it.

I'm a switch freak and was well before this incident, but that said anything that has a digi clock (radio, microwave, and oven are left on over night) plus fridges and freezers obvs.

NotMeNoNo · 14/09/2018 20:25

I'm sorry, I'm being very dim. How can the toaster turn itself on, on its own, unless its faulty? Is it more about that toasters being full of crumbs, cheese etc have a high risk of getting a short circuit?

SheSnapsThenSheFarts · 14/09/2018 20:26

I leave mine on in case of crumpet emergencies.

ozymandiusking · 14/09/2018 21:05

An appliance does not use any electricity until it is actually switched on.
eg. a toaster will not use any electricity until the bread is put in and the leaver pressed down. Leaving something plugged in and switched on at the wall does not use electricity.

Storm4star · 14/09/2018 21:52

I leave mine on in case of crumpet emergencies

Thanks, that made me chuckle

HildaZelda · 14/09/2018 22:15

I never switch anything off at the plug.
Mind you, I'll happily go out and leave the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer on.
Live dangerously ;)

LittleBearPad · 15/09/2018 09:28

I never switch anything off at the plug.
Mind you, I'll happily go out and leave the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer on.
Live dangerously ;)

Me too.

busybarbara · 15/09/2018 10:14

I take the fuse out of the plug and then entirely dismantle my toaster, wrap the parts in greaseproof paper and store them in four bundles in the most extremely distant parts of my property. You just can't be too sure.

JessieMcJessie · 16/09/2018 16:24

busybarbara. But isn’t wrapping it in paper just a terrible risk of conflagration from a stray spark?

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