Let me tell you something that blew my mind when I first started playing Arc Raiders – toasters are one of the most valuable items in the entire game. I know, it sounds ridiculous, right? These humble kitchen appliances are actually crucial for upgrading your Refiner, which unlocks the ability to craft high-tier components that can make or break your late-game progression.
After spending countless hours hunting these elusive appliances across every map, I’ve learned exactly where to find them, how to avoid getting killed while doing it, and some pro tips that most players completely miss. Whether you’re a new raider or a veteran looking to optimize your runs, this guide will transform your toaster-hunting game.
Arc Raiders is Embark Studios’ extraction shooter that drops you into a post-apocalyptic world where mysterious ARC machines have taken over. As a raider, you drop into various maps, scavenge for resources, complete objectives, and try to extract safely with your loot. The game blends intense PvP combat with PvE elements, creating a high-stakes experience where every decision matters.
The Refiner in your workshop is one of the most important stations you’ll use, and toasters are the key to unlocking its true potential. Without these seemingly mundane items, you’ll be stuck crafting basic components while other players are creating advanced gear that gives them a significant advantage.
I’ll admit it – I was skeptical at first. Why would I risk my life for kitchen appliances? But there’s something incredibly satisfying about the toaster hunt that keeps me coming back. The thrill of dropping into a high-risk area, knowing exactly which cabinets to check, and the rush of finding that golden toaster in the last building before extraction – it’s an adrenaline rush like no other.
What I love most is how toaster hunting forces you to master the game’s core mechanics. You need to know the maps inside and out, understand enemy patrol patterns, and be able to make split-second decisions about when to fight and when to flee. It’s not just about finding toasters – it’s about becoming a better raider in the process.
Let’s get down to business. Here’s my step-by-step guide to finding toasters efficiently and safely:
Why it’s great: The Village in the northwest corner of Blue Gate is my absolute favorite spot for toaster hunting. This residential area has the highest spawn rate I’ve found, and the building layout makes it easy to search systematically.
How to approach:
Pro tip: The Village is popular with other players, so I recommend dropping in during off-peak hours or running solo to reduce competition.
Why it’s great: Grandioso Apartments offers the highest concentration of residential loot in the game, but it’s also a PvP hotspot.
How to approach:
Warning: This area sees heavy PvP action. I only recommend it if you’re confident in your combat skills or have a team to watch your back.
Why it’s great: These locations in the northwest corner of Dam Battlegrounds offer the perfect balance of good spawn rates and lower player traffic.
How to approach:
Why I love this spot: In my experience, these locations have minimal ARC presence outside of occasional Tick or Wasp patrols, making them perfect for focused looting runs.
I’ve found that running solo for toasters is actually more effective than grouping up. Here’s why:
My solo loadout: Lightweight armor, fast movement perks, and a reliable close-quarters weapon. Speed is your best defense here.
After hundreds of toaster runs, I’ve developed what I call the “Kitchen Cabinet Protocol”:
I’ve noticed that toaster spawn rates vary by time of day in real life. Here’s my optimal farming schedule:
Avoid peak hours (evenings and weekends) unless you’re specifically looking for PvP action.
Let’s talk about why you actually need these toasters. The Refiner is crucial for crafting advanced components, and upgrading it requires specific items:
My recommendation: Focus on getting those first 3 toasters as quickly as possible. The Refiner upgrade is a game-changer that will significantly improve your crafting capabilities.
After watching countless players (and making these mistakes myself early on), here are the most common errors I see:
I can’t stress this enough – always put your toaster in your Safe Pocket immediately after finding it. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen players extract successfully but lose their toaster because it was in regular inventory.
Everyone rushes to the big apartment complexes, but I’ve found some of my best toasters in small, seemingly insignificant houses. Don’t skip any buildings!
The longer you stay in one location, the higher your chances of running into trouble. I recommend the “3-toaster rule” – once you have 3 toasters, extract immediately. Don’t get greedy.
Players often check the first few cabinets in a kitchen and move on. I’ve found toasters in the last, most out-of-the-way cabinets more times than I can count.
If you’re having trouble finding toasters in your preferred location, don’t waste time searching the entire map. Instead:
Server resets mean fresh loot spawns, so persistence pays off.
This works great in high-traffic areas like Grandioso Apartments:
It’s a bit cowardly, but it’s incredibly effective for safe toaster collection.
As of the latest updates, toaster spawn locations have remained consistent, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
The developers haven’t announced any planned changes to toaster mechanics, so these strategies should remain relevant for the foreseeable future.
Based on my experience, here’s the optimal loadout for toaster hunting:
Primary Weapon: Fast-firing close-quarters weapon (for unexpected encounters) Secondary Weapon: Medium-range option (for picking off threats from distance) Armor: Lightweight, quiet armor (stealth over protection) Perks: Movement speed, inventory space, and Safe Pocket bonuses Equipment: Medkits, quick-extract items, and maybe a distraction device
From the Arc Raiders community, here are some additional tips I’ve gathered:
You need 3 toasters for the Refiner level 2 upgrade. After that, they’re not required for any other upgrades, but you might want extras for trading or selling.
Currently, there’s no direct player trading system in Arc Raiders, so you’ll need to find them yourself.
Toasters have random spawn locations within residential areas, but they always appear in kitchen-related containers (cabinets, countertops, etc.).
Based on my experience, the fastest route is Dam Battlegrounds – Ruby Residence and Pale Apartments. You can often get all 3 in a single run if you’re efficient.
Absolutely yes. The Refiner upgrade is crucial for late-game progression, and the advantage it gives you in crafting capabilities is well worth the risk.
While it’s theoretically possible, I’ve never found a toaster outside of residential areas. Focus your efforts on apartments, houses, and similar buildings.
Hunting toasters in Arc Raiders might seem like a strange objective, but it’s one of the most important activities you can do for your long-term progression. The strategies I’ve shared here have helped me consistently find toasters efficiently and safely, even on high-population servers.
Remember, the key is persistence and smart play. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find toasters on your first few runs – they’re out there, waiting for the right raider to claim them. Use the locations and strategies I’ve outlined, stay safe out there, and before you know it, you’ll have that Refiner upgraded and be crafting advanced components like a pro.
Now get out there and start hunting those toasters! Your upgraded workshop awaits, and the advantage it’ll give you in future raids is absolutely worth the effort. Happy raiding, and may your pockets always be full of toasters!
