Seeing your oven with a mixture of grease slipping through the rack, a pool of steak drippings at the bottom, and a smudgy film of grease on the oven glass doors may be the worst culinary crime scene you’ll see. If your schedule becomes overwhelming and you have no idea how to clean an oven, read on and find out our top ten tips on how to clean an oven.
1. Do a once-over to your oven
Observe your oven’s general appearance. Doing a once-over will then give you an idea if your oven badly needs cleaning.
- Is there a distinct smell when you fire up your oven?
- Is there grease or grime present on the door?
- Is your oven smoldering? Smoldering can signify some dirt buildup.
2. Use the self-cleaning function (if your oven has one)
Before tackling your oven’s deep cleaning, you should know if your oven has a self-cleaning function. It’s probably the most convenient and time-saving feature modern ovens have now.
3. Remove Baked-On Grease using Store-Bought Oven Cleaners
The above feature already does a great job removing baked-on grease, but you can also use some alternatives.
4. Remove any large pieces of loose food
- Spray your choice of cleaner evenly onto the oven interior
- Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. The cleaner lifts the grime and grease, allowing you to wipe it away quickly.
5. DIY oven cleaning mixture
This mixture consists of 65g of bicarbonate of soda and water.
- Spread this thick paste all over the inside of your oven. Avoid the oven’s heating fixtures.
- Leave the paste for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water
- Spray onto the paste to create a foaming action – this will lift away stubborn dirt and grease particles.
- Wipe with a damp cloth
6. Steam clean your oven with vinegar.
- Boil a medium to a large pot of water.
- After a half-hour, add roughly the same amount of white vinegar and boil for another 30 seconds.
- Place in the center of a cold oven while it’s still hot and leave for an hour.
7. Take your oven racks for a bath.
- Soak the oven racks in a hot bath. This process will soften hardened dirt and make it much easier to wipe clean the metal.
- After two hours, scrub the racks with a stiff brush.
- Rinse and dry before returning to the oven
8. Use an old toothbrush for difficult-to-reach spots.
With some bicarb solution, scrub the concentrated marks left in these spots. A traditional oven cleaner or sponge and dishwashing liquid would also work.
9. Clean glass oven doors
Glass oven doors will require a gentler approach because they are susceptible to scratches. It is best to skip any abrasive products and scrub them more gently.
- Mix baking soda and water
- Spread the paste generously on the glass and let it sit for 20 or more minutes.
- Gently wipe up the paste with a microfiber cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly with water
- Let it dry
10. Sprinkle some salt overspills
If you spill anything on your oven surface while you’re cooking or baking, sprinkling some salt is a quick fix. When the oven has cooled, it will be easier to remove the mess afterward.
Does it sound like too much work? House cleaning, in general, may seem overwhelming. But a spick-and-span home, particularly a sparkly clean oven (plus extra tasty food), will be the best reward you’ll get.
A versatile writer and passionate content creator who brings her creativity to life across various social media platforms. With a passion for storytelling, she specializes in crafting compelling content that resonates with her audience. Whether writing blog articles or preparing social media posts, Guia is always up for the challenge. And when she’s not working, you’ll likely find her unleashing her artistic flair on the canvas or tending to her beautiful house plants.