What is the Best Thing to Clean an Oven With?

Cleaning an oven can be a tedious and messy task. Over time, baked-on food and grease accumulates and can be difficult to remove. Choosing the right cleaning method and products can save you time and elbow grease. Here are some of the best things to clean an oven with effectively.

Mild Oven Cleaners

One of the simplest oven cleaning solutions is a mild store-bought oven cleaner. Look for a cleaner that is marketed as being safe for continuous cleaning ovens.

These cleaners contain less harsh chemical ingredients than heavy-duty oven cleaners. They break down light layers of grime gently without irritating skin or producing overwhelming fumes.

Spray or wipe the mild cleaner onto cool oven surfaces and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping away. This softens baked-on spills for easier cleaning. Mild cleaners often eliminate the need for scrubbing.

Finish by washing any residual cleaner off with warm water and let the oven dry completely before using it again.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is mildly abrasive so it can tackle set-in grease and food spills. Make a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Spread the paste onto oven surfaces with a scrub brush or sponge.

Let the paste sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing it away. The baking soda dissolves some of the grime and makes scrubbing easier.

For tougher stains, let the paste work overnight before scrubbing in the morning. Baking soda is safe for oven surfaces and provides natural cleaning power without harsh chemicals.

Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is an all-purpose cleaner that can cut through grease and grime. Use it diluted or full-strength to clean an oven.

Spray full-strength vinegar onto cool oven surfaces and let it soak for 15 minutes before wiping clean with a cloth. For more cleaning power, use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and hot water instead.

The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves residue for easier removal. It shines stainless steel and glass surfaces. Rinse surfaces well after cleaning.

While vinegar has a strong smell at first, the odour dissipates completely as surfaces dry. It is a great eco-friendly alternative to commercial cleaners.

Lemon Juice

Citric acid makes lemon juice a great grease-cutting cleaner. Simply sprinkle some lemon juice onto oven stains and let it work for a few minutes before wiping and rinsing.

For heavier duty cleaning, boil lemon juice diluted with water in a microwave-safe bowl. Place the hot bowl inside the microwave and the steam will help loosen baked-on food.

Lemon juice provides natural degreasing power and a fresh, clean scent. Rinse surfaces thoroughly after cleaning. Avoid getting the juice onto metal surfaces as the citric acid can damage the finish over time.

Scrubbing Pads

Using the right scrubbing pads can make oven cleaning tasks much easier. Soft sponges may not provide enough scrubbing ability for tough stains.

Instead, look for scrub pads made from strong, non-scratching materials:

• Steel wool – Finer grades work well for scrubbing without scratching most oven surfaces.
• Plastic scrub pads – These are non-scratch but have more scrubbing power than sponges.
• Nylon scrub brushes – Stiff nylon bristles reach into crevices and corners.
• Mesh scrubbers – Made from woven stainless steel but won’t harm most oven finishes.

Scrub gently to avoid scratching. Avoid using anything too abrasive on shiny or coated surfaces.

Commercial Oven Cleaners

When facing extremely stubborn baked-on stains, a heavy-duty caustic oven cleaner may be required. These cleaners contain powerful agents like sodium hydroxide to dissolve thick layers of burned food residues.

Follow all safety precautions when using commercial oven cleaners:

• Ventilate the kitchen by opening windows.
• Wear long gloves that cover wrists and forearms. Eye protection is also a good idea.
• Only apply to completely cool ovens to prevent toxic fumes.
• Apply the cleaner only to oven surfaces, not parts like heating elements or wiring.
• Rinse surfaces thoroughly afterward and wipe dry.
• Never mix cleaners together – it produces toxic chlorine gas.

While commercial oven cleaners come with warnings, they are safe when instructions are followed exactly. They provide the most powerful clean for extreme oven grime.

Cleaning Tips by Oven Part

Certain areas of an oven tend to collect more stubborn grime and stains than others. Use these tips to get different parts of your oven clean.

Oven Racks

Oven racks slide directly over heat sources so they are prone to baked-on food and grease accumulation. Solvent-based gel cleaners work well to dissolve the grime for easier scrubbing.

For quick cleaning, lay racks over a foil-lined sheet pan and place ammonia-soaked rags or steaming bowls of vinegar or lemon juice underneath. Seal the oven bag with foil and the fumes will soften the grease overnight.

Remove racks when cleaning the oven walls to prevent harmful chemical reactions. Scrub racks separately with steel wool or a bristle brush. Re-coating with a thin layer of olive oil after cleaning also prevents buildup.

Oven Walls

Operating at high heat, oven walls get coated in carbonised fats and food residue over time. Any of the cleaning methods above can tackle oven wall grime.

Mild cleaners or baking soda work well for moderate grime. Commercial cleaners or heavy scrubbing may be needed for rougher stains. Avoid abrasives on shiny enamel finishes – it can scratch the surface.

Oven Window

Steam and food splatters make oven glass hazy and difficult to see through. Always scrub gently to avoid shattering the glass. Baking soda or vinegar work well for gentle window cleaning.

For smoother scrubbing, use a plastic scrub pad instead of anything abrasive. Wipe windows with a damp microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.

Oven Bottom

Use a scraper tool to chip off chunks carefully. Wipe up remaining debris with towels. Finish by scrubbing the floor with an abrasive pad or brush. Avoid using this method on a self-cleaning oven.

Debris that falls through racks collects at the bottom of the oven cavity. This crusty buildup is tricky to remove fully. Lay towels soaked in ammonia or degreaser on the oven floor to soften it first.

Broiler Pan

Broiler pans are similar to oven racks in how greasy they can get. However, commercial cleaners should never be used on these pans – they react with the coating and destroy it.

Clean broiler pans using baking soda, salt or a vinegar soak instead. If scrubbing doesn’t work, try letting the pan soak in hot water for up to several hours to loosen burned-on food.

Alternative Oven Cleaning Methods

Other unconventional DIY techniques can help eliminate stubborn oven grime without heavy scrubbing:

• Heat – Turn the oven to 200°F and leave for at least 1 hour after turning off. The heat helps loosen grease so you can wipe clean with towels.
• Steam – Place a shallow pan of boiling water with lemon juice or vinegar on the bottom of the oven. Close the oven door and let steam condense on walls overnight.
• Ice – Ice cubes placed in a hot oven create steam naturally. Baking soda boosts cleaning power. Leave for 15 minutes before wiping clean.
• Salt – Spread salt on oven surfaces while still warm. As the oven cools, the salt draws out grease.
• Charcoal – Bury charcoal briquettes in a casserole dish. Bake at 300°F for 1 hour and wipe the grime away. Charcoal absorbs grease.

For best results, avoid scraping or scrubbing after using these alternative methods. The residue should lift off easily with minimal effort if left to work long enough.

Maintaining a Clean Oven

Preventing grime from building up in the first place reduces how often deep cleans are needed:

• Line the bottom of the oven with foil or a baking sheet to catch spills.
• Empty oven debris and wipe up spills promptly after cooking instead of letting them burn on.
• Give racks and pans a quick wipe after each use to prevent grease buildup.
• Use a cover or tent foil over dishes to prevent splatters on oven walls.
• Avoid using the top racks when possible – drips hit walls more when on higher racks.
• Wipe oven surfaces gently each time before preheating – accumulated soil burns on.
• Remove racks before running self-clean cycles so they don’t discolour.
• Apply a light coat of cooking spray or olive oil to racks periodically to prevent sticking.

With regular gentle cleaning, ovens stay fresh and free of grime buildup. Set aside time for a deep clean once buildup does occur.

When to Call for Professional Oven Cleaning

Extremely neglected ovens may require professional cleaning services for the toughest baked-on grease. Consider calling for cleaning help if:

• DIY methods have failed to loosen thick layers after several attempts.
• Grease and food debris are caked on every oven surface.
• Odours or smoke emerge when the oven is used.
• Self-cleaning cycles fail to remove grime fully.
• You don’t have time for thorough DIY cleaning.

Look for oven cleaning technicians that use eco-friendly products. Many companies offer green oven cleaning services for residential and commercial clients.

They have commercial-grade degreasers and tools that can eliminate severe oven grime that is impenetrable for DIY cleaning. Professionals also take care of fully removing all dissolved grime so the inside is fresh and residue-free after cleaning.

Oven Cleaning Safety Tips

• Always turn off electrical power to oven or unplug it before cleaning.
• Let oven cool fully before applying any cleaners or water. Hot surfaces produce noxious fumes.
• Never mix cleaning products – it causes toxic chemical reactions.
• Wear gloves and eye protection if using caustic cleaners. Avoid skin contact.
• Ensure the oven is safe to clean before starting. Repair any loose wires, cracks or heating element damage first.
• Rinse surfaces thoroughly to eliminate chemical residue after cleaning.
• Run the oven empty on max heat for 30 mins afterward to neutralise any lingering odour or chemical residue.
• Check cleaner safety on surfaces like stainless steel or porcelain before using.
• Move birds to another room during cleaning – fumes from chemicals or heat can be fatal.

With the proper methods and safety precautions, oven cleaning doesn’t need to be a dreaded chore. Non-toxic options prevent introducing harsh chemicals into homes. Set aside time to tackle buildup regularly and oven cleaning becomes quick and painless.

Visit the Dirtbusters website for professional oven cleaning services if DIY methods fail to dissolve heavy grime buildup over time. Their technicians eliminate the toughest oven grease using eco-friendly products.