Not sure how to clean an oven or where to even begin?
Luckily, deep cleaning an oven isn’t as scary as you might think.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
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It’s also wise to spot-clean throughout the month.
The more upkeep you do on your oven, the easier the cleanup process.
Beyondmaking the chore more bearable, a relatively clean oven also makes for tastier food and fewer germs.
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How to Clean Inside the Oven
Use the self-cleaning function.
It almost sounds too good to be true, but many modern ovens come with a self-cleaning feature.
“The self-clean cycle is a time-saving convenience feature,” says Bristow.
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“During the cleaning cycle, the oven is heated to about 880 degrees Fahrenheit.
At this temperature, food inside the oven incinerates, leaving behind a small amount of ash.
The leftover ash wipes out easily with a damp cloth.”
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Bristow says that self-cleaning is, by far, the easiest way to clean an oven.
You also want to keep in mind a few tips for self-cleaning ovens.
Use a store-bought oven cleaner.
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The cleaner lifts the grime and grease, allowing you to easily wipe it away.
Use a DIY oven cleaner.
A great homemade oven cleaner is a combination of baking soda and water.
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Simply spray the vinegar on top and allow it to bubble and set for 20 minutes.
Remove and soak the racks.
Add baking soda to remove stubborn spots.
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Use the self-clean function for porcelain racks.
This cycle requires a much lower heat than traditional self-cleaning.
How to Clean Oven Knobs
Use a microfiber rag to wipe knobs down.
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A simple damp microfiber rag used on and around the knobs will do the trick.
If the job requires it, use a rag with a bit of soap or a disposable wipe.
Avoid spraying directly on the knobs.
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Shimek warns against spraying the oven knobs directly with a household cleaner.
“Instead, spray a rag with liquid cleaner and then rub the controls toprevent shorting.”
How to Clean Glass Oven Doors
Mix baking soda into a paste and apply.
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That means skipping abrasive products and using a less aggressive scrubbing technique.
Wipe down glass with glass cleaner.
Alternatively, you might spritz on soapy water or an oven cleaner.
Remove dust and debris from hidden areas.
This is something you’re able to clean easily, though it does require a few extra steps.
(By letting the door rest on your legs you’ll prevent it from falling and breaking.)
Once unscrewed, you’ll have access to the in-between layers of the oven.
To clean up dust and crumbs, use a vacuum hose with a small nozzle.
To clean grease, use a damp sponge with a long handle.
(Alternatively, Bristow recommends a yardstick with a damp washcloth attached.)
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Oven interiors have either a porcelain or a stainless steel finish.
Both materials could be damaged by steel wool.
But using steel wool to scour the burnt-on char from the metal racks is perfectly fine.
You clean a gas oven the same way you clean an electric oven.
One way to prevent this is to cover the vent with foil while you’re cleaning.
Hold an ice cube or a bag of ice against the melted plastic to freeze it.
This will make the plastic brittle.
Then use a knife or hard-edged tool to scrape the plastic away.
