Q. Is there a way to remove the yellow-colored area around the door of my toaster oven? I have the same problem with my Foreman grill. Is it caused by the heat or steam coming out during use?

What you describe is typical of grease. When hot it’s airborne, but it congeals on cool surfaces, such as the stainless steel sides of the oven and grill, and leaves an amber-colored, varnishlike coating.

Such grease can be difficult to remove. You’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning these appliances, of course. Beyond that, you might try a cleaning solution of ½ cup detergent (such as Dawn) and 3 tablespoons of ammonia to a half-gallon of warm water. Apply to the affected surfaces and let set for several minutes to soften the grease. Then scrub the area with a nonabrasive pad or old toothbrush. Rinse and dry.

Another approach is to apply WD-40 to remove the grease, then wash with a mild solution of detergent and water, rinse and dry.