How often have you stopped yourself from trying out a recipe because the oven isn’t clean? Don’t let a dirty oven deter you from cooking up tasty treats. Follow this informative guide to learn how to quickly clean your baking oven and get started on making yourself some cookies.
Being stuck at home has led many down the path of baking to their heart’s content. Whether you’re firing up the oven several times a week or a few times every month, your appliance requires a proper scrub now and then. We will guide you on how to employ DIY remedies and cleaning products. Spoiler alert: there will be elbow grease.
Why do I Need to Clean my Oven?
Every time you use the appliance, residue builds up at the bottom and sides. You might even find splatters on your oven door. This can cause some problems. According to experts, the grease and crumbs left behind will release aromas during the next baking session and affect the taste. Additionally, a build-up of residue will even lead to smoke arising from the oven when the heat is on.
Need we say more? So, if you smell something funky from your oven, it is time to bring out the cleaning supplies. If you fire up the oven regularly, wash it every 3 months. If you only use the oven twice a month, scrub it twice a year.
Self-Cleaning Oven
Before we move on to the cleaning tips, a word of caution. If you have an oven with a self-cleaning feature, then consult the user manual to benefit from it. What this feature does is, when you turn it on, it raises the temperature to an extreme high. This will cause all the residual foodstuff to turn to ash.
But, if your oven is extremely gunky, then you should avoid this feature. We advise this for your safety, as large amounts of residue can start to smolder, causing smoke or fire. If it has only been several months since you cleaned the oven, don’t use this feature.
For these ovens, you can’t use chemical cleaning products, as they harm the catalyst layer coating the oven. So, make sure you use natural remedies for cleaning such ovens.
How to Clean Your Oven
It might be tedious work but it using a spotless oven has its own satisfaction. Read on below to find some of the easiest ways to clean an oven.
With Lemons
This natural remedy using lemons is one quick solution to a dirty oven. Read on to find out what you need to do.
Materials:
- Two Lemons.
- Water in an ovenproof bowl (medium size).
- Rubber Gloves.
- Damp Rag/cloth.
Steps:
- Set the oven to 250o.
- Cut the two lemons in half and place them in the bowl.
- Place the bowl on one of the oven racks when it heats up.
- Let it sit for an hour.
- After the hour, open the oven door to let it cool down a little.
- Pull on your gloves and grab your damp rag to wipe down all the surfaces and corners of your over. Do this when it is still warm but not enough to burn you.
- Clean until all the grime is removed.
With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another natural remedy you can use to clean your oven employs baking soda and vinegar. Find out the details below.
Materials:
- Water.
- ½ cup of Baking Soda.
- Vinegar.
- Damp cloth.
- Spray Bottle.
- Rubber gloves.
Steps:
- Remove the racks and any other removable objects from your oven. Set these aside for cleaning.
- Mix your baking soda with 2-3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. You can adjust the volume of each until you get a paste.
- Using your gloved hands or a spatula, spread the paste on each surface and crevice of your oven. Make sure you avoid the heating elements.
- Spread until the interior is covered with a coat of paste. Let the coating sit overnight or for at least 10-12 hours.
- During this time, set your oven racks in a tub or sink. Pepper them with baking soda and pour on some vinegar. Allow this to foam. When foaming ends, submerge your racks in hot water. Let them sit for the same amount of time.
- After letting it sit, use the damp cloth to wipe the dried paste and gunk off your oven.
- Pour a little vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz over the leftover dried paste. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and foam.
- Wipe the oven again using a fresh damp cloth. Use the vinegar spray again if there is still residual paste.
- After cleaning the oven, remove the racks from the water. Clean them using a damp rag. Place your clean racks back in your oven.
With Cleaning Products
If you would rather use a chemical cleaner, then you can follow these steps. However, do not use this method if you have a self-clean oven.
Materials:
- Oven Cleaner.
- Gloves.
- Safety glasses.
- Damp cloth.
- Sponge.
Steps:
- Remove the racks and other removable objects from within your oven.
- Pull on your gloves and safety goggles. Spray the oven cleaner of your choice inside your oven. Make sure the spray covers every surface and corner of the oven. Avoid spraying the heating elements of your electric oven. Lift the heating elements and spray beneath them. In case of having a gas range, avoid the gas exit points.
- Let it sit for the time mentioned on the cleaner label. This will range from 20-30 minutes.
- While you wait, clean your racks. Take them outside and spray them with the cleaner. Place them in a garbage disposal bag, letting the spray sit for the time prescribed by the label.
- After the mentioned time has passed, scrub down the oven using a wet rag. Make sure you get the corners.
- After cleaning the oven, go back to your racks and take them out of the bag. Wash them in warm soapy water. Use a sponge to clean off the grime.
- Place the racks back in your clean oven.
If you find some stubborn gunk, the simplest thing you can do is scrape it with a spatula. You can also place a warm damp cloth on the problematic area to soften it up for cleaning.
For more tips, you can watch this video.
Conclusion
With this guide full of oven cleaning hacks, you can now easily clean your oven. While it may take time and effort, you will find that the quality of your baked food will have increased. Follow the method that suits your oven and your budget. In the future, wipe any spills before you fire up the oven again to avoid cleaning it sooner.
Tell us what worked for you in the comments below!
