Let me tell you something – when I first started playing ARC Raiders, I had no idea how important toasters would be. I mean, who thinks about kitchen appliances when you’re trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by ARC machines? But here I am, weeks later, completely obsessed with finding these seemingly mundane household items. And trust me, you should be too.
Why Toasters Are Actually Game-Changers?
I’ll be honest with you – I almost recycled my first toaster without thinking twice. Big mistake! These little appliances are absolute gold for early-game progression. You need three of them to upgrade your Refiner from level 1 to level 2, and let me tell you, that upgrade is worth its weight in… well, toasters!
The Refiner is crucial because it lets you craft higher-quality materials like advanced mechanical and electrical components. Without upgrading it, you’re basically stuck with basic gear while other players are running around with top-tier equipment. I learned this the hard way after getting wrecked in PvP a few too many times.
My Top Toaster Locations – Tested and Proven
After spending countless hours scavenging every residential building I could find, I’ve narrowed down the absolute best spots for toaster hunting. Here’s where I’ve had the most success:
1. The Village in Blue Gate (My Personal Favorite)
This is hands-down my go-to spot for toaster hunting. The Village is located in the northwest corner of the Blue Gate map, and it’s basically a residential paradise for scavengers like us.
Why it’s great:
- High spawn rate for toasters
- Multiple buildings to search
- Good escape routes
- Plenty of other valuable loot while you’re searching
My strategy: I usually spawn as close to the Village as possible and hit it during the first wave. The buildings here are packed with residential items, and I’ve found most of my toasters either on kitchen countertops or inside cupboards. Pro tip: check every single kitchen – that’s where they love to hide!
2. Ruby Residence & Pale Apartments in Dam Battlegrounds
If you’re not a fan of Blue Gate or haven’t unlocked it yet, Dam Battlegrounds is your next best bet. The northwestern corner is where you want to be, specifically the Ruby Residence and Pale Apartments.
Why it’s great:
- Usually less crowded with other players
- Minimal ARC presence (mostly just Ticks and Wasps)
- Multiple apartment buildings to search
- Quick escape routes nearby
My experience: I actually prefer this spot when I’m playing solo. There’s something about Dam Battlegrounds that feels… calmer? Maybe it’s because fewer players hang out here, but I’ve had some of my most successful toaster runs in these apartments. Plus, the Sunroof Hatch and Central Swamp Lift are right there for quick escapes.
3. Grandioso Apartments in Buried City
Now, this spot is a bit more intense, but the rewards can be worth it. The Grandioso Apartments are located in the southwest corner of Buried City, and they’re basically a toaster goldmine.
Why it’s great:
- Highest spawn rate I’ve seen
- Large building with tons of rooms
- Excellent for finding other valuable items
The catch: This area is super popular with PvP-oriented players. I’ve had more than a few runs end abruptly because someone decided my toaster collection would look better in their inventory. If you’re going here, go prepared for a fight or be ready to run.
4. Spaceport Map – Departure & Arrival Buildings
This is a spot I discovered recently, and it’s been surprisingly effective. The Spaceport map’s Departure and Arrival buildings are excellent for toaster hunting.
Why it’s great:
- Different from the usual residential spots
- Good variety in spawn locations
- Less traveled by other players
My strategy: I head straight for the upper floors of these buildings. The ground floor is usually picked clean, but if you take the stairs up, you’ll find plenty of tables and countertops where toasters like to spawn. The Departure building has been particularly lucky for me.
Complete Toaster Location Comparison
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together this comprehensive table comparing all the major toaster locations:
| Location | Map | Player Activity | Toaster Spawn Chance | Best For | My Personal Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Village | Blue Gate | High | Very High | Maximum toasters per run | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ruby Residence | Dam Battlegrounds | Low | Medium | Safe, consistent runs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pale Apartments | Dam Battlegrounds | Low | Medium | Solo players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Grandioso Apartments | Buried City | Very High | High | Risk/reward players | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Departure Building | Spaceport | Medium | High | Alternative to residential spots | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Arrival Building | Spaceport | Medium | Medium | Quick runs | ⭐⭐⭐ |
My Pro Tips for Toaster Hunting
After dozens of successful toaster runs, I’ve picked up some tricks that I wish I knew when I started:
Safe Pocket is Your Best Friend
I can’t stress this enough – always put your toasters in your Safe Pocket immediately after finding them. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve died with a pocket full of toasters because I forgot to secure them. The Safe Pocket ensures your valuable items survive even if your character doesn’t.
Go Solo for Better Success
While ARC Raiders is more fun with friends, I’ve actually had more success finding toasters when playing solo. There’s something about the solo experience that makes the game feel… calmer? Plus, you can use the “Don’t Shoot” emote if you run into other players, which has saved my toaster collection more than once.
Check Every Kitchen Cabinet
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip checking cabinets. I’ve found about 70% of my toasters inside kitchen cabinets rather than on countertops. Take the extra 30 seconds to check every single one – it’s worth it.
Time Your Runs Right
I’ve noticed that toaster spawn rates seem to be higher during certain times. While I can’t prove this scientifically, I’ve had the most success during the first wave of each match. Maybe the game’s algorithm favors early residential spawns, or maybe I’m just lucky. Either way, it works for me!
What to Do With Your Toasters?
Once you’ve collected your precious toasters, you have several options:
Upgrade Your Refiner (Priority #1)
This is why we’re all here, right? Upgrading your Refiner from level 1 to level 2 requires:
- 3 Toasters
- 5 Arc Motion Cores
- 8 Fireball Burners
The Arc Motion Cores and Fireball Burners are easier to get (they drop from ARC machines), so the toasters are really the bottleneck here.
Salvage for Components
If you have extra toasters or don’t need them for upgrades, you can salvage them for:
- 3 Wires per toaster
Wires are always useful, so this isn’t a bad option if you’re swimming in toasters.
Recycle for More Resources
Recycling gives you even more materials:
- 5 Plastic Parts
- 3 Wires
This is actually a pretty good deal if you need plastic parts for crafting.
Sell for Quick Cash
Each toaster sells for 1,000 coins. While I don’t recommend selling your first three (you need them for the Refiner upgrade), any extras can be sold for some quick cash. I’ve made quite a bit of money just from toaster hunting alone!
2026 Common Mistakes I See Players Make
After watching other players (and making these mistakes myself), here are the most common toaster-hunting errors:
Not Checking Residential Areas Enough
I see so many players focusing on industrial or military areas, completely ignoring residential zones. Big mistake! Toasters are household items – they spawn in houses and apartments, not factories or barracks.
Giving Up Too Quickly
Toaster hunting requires patience. I’ve had runs where I searched five buildings and found nothing, then hit the jackpot in the sixth. Don’t give up after checking just one or two spots.
Not Securing Toasters Immediately
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating – I’ve seen so many players die with toasters in their regular inventory because they forgot to use the Safe Pocket. Don’t let this be you!
Ignoring Alternative Maps
Everyone flocks to Blue Gate because it’s popular, but I’ve had great success in Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport too. Don’t be afraid to try different maps!
My Personal Toaster-Hunting Loadout
Since you asked, here’s what I typically bring on toaster runs:
Weapons
- One primary weapon for ARC encounters
- One secondary weapon for PvP (just in case)
- Minimal ammunition (you’re not there to fight, you’re there to scavenge)
Equipment
- Basic armor (nothing fancy, you’re not planning to fight)
- Extra inventory space for all the loot you’ll find
- Medkits (because you never know)
Strategy
- Spawn close to your target location
- Move quickly and quietly
- Escape as soon as you have what you need
- Never get greedy!
Advanced Toaster-Farming Strategies
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some advanced techniques I’ve developed:
The “Apartment Complex” Method
Instead of hitting just one building, I do a circuit of multiple apartment complexes in the same area. This increases my chances of finding at least one toaster per run and often results in finding multiple toasters.
The “Early Bird” Strategy
I always try to be one of the first players into a match. This means less competition for loot and a higher chance that toasters haven’t been picked clean yet. It’s amazing how much difference 5-10 minutes can make.
The “Off-Peak” Approach
I’ve noticed that certain times of day have fewer players online. Playing during these off-peak hours means less competition for toaster spawns. I’m not going to tell you exactly when (I don’t want everyone catching on!), but experiment with different times and see what works for you.
Fan Theory: Why Toasters Are So Important
This is just my personal theory, but I think there’s a reason the game makes toasters so crucial for early progression. In a post-apocalyptic world, what’s more symbolic of domestic comfort and normalcy than a toaster? By collecting these items and using them to upgrade your equipment, you’re essentially rebuilding civilization one household appliance at a time.
Or maybe the developers just thought it would be funny to make people hunt for toasters. Either way, it works!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many toasters do I actually need?
You need 3 toasters for the Refiner upgrade, but I recommend collecting at least 5-6 total. This gives you some extras for salvage or selling, and trust me, you’ll want that cushion.
What’s the fastest way to get toasters?
In my experience, the Village in Blue Gate is the fastest. High spawn rate plus multiple buildings means you can usually find at least one toaster per run, often more.
Can I find toasters in containers?
Nope! Toasters only spawn as pick-up items in residential areas. You won’t find them in containers, cabinets, or boxes. They have to be picked up directly from countertops or tables.
Do toasters respawn in the same locations?
They can, but spawn rates are partially random. I’ve had success in the same general areas, but exact spawn locations vary from match to match.
What’s the best map for finding toasters?
Blue Gate’s Village is my top recommendation, but Dam Battlegrounds is a close second, especially if you prefer a more relaxed experience with less PvP.
Should I sell my extra toasters?
Absolutely! Once you have your 3 for the Refiner upgrade, any extras can be sold for 1,000 coins each. That’s good money for early-game progression.
Can I find toasters on all maps?
Most maps have residential areas where toasters can spawn, but some maps are better than others. Blue Gate, Dam Battlegrounds, and Buried City are your best bets.
What time of day is best for finding toasters?
I’ve had the most success during the first wave of each match, but this might just be my personal luck. Experiment and see what works for you!
Do I need special equipment to find toasters?
No special equipment needed! Just bring basic gear and focus on residential areas. The most important “equipment” is patience and thorough searching.
Can I trade toasters with other players?
While you can’t directly trade items, you can drop toasters for teammates if you’re playing in a squad. Just be careful – not everyone is as honest as you might think!
Final Thoughts
Toaster hunting in ARC Raiders might seem silly at first, but trust me when I say it’s one of the most important early-game activities you can do. I’ve gone from struggling with basic gear to having a fully upgraded workshop, all because I took the time to hunt down these seemingly insignificant household appliances.
Remember, patience is key. You might not find a toaster on your first run, or even your second or third. But keep at it, use the strategies I’ve shared, and before you know it, you’ll have more toasters than you know what to do with.
Good luck out there, and happy hunting! And hey, if you see me in-game, don’t shoot – I’m probably just looking for another toaster!
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