Cleaning an oven is a tedious task. It takes time, it can involve scrubbing, and everyone is a little worried when they have to put their head in an oven. In order for your oven to continue to perform at its best, the task still needs to be done from time to time. If you go a long time without cleaning the walls and shelves of your oven, it can start to smell awesome when you heat it up, and that can eventually pose a fire hazard or start to ruin your recipes.
Depending on the type of oven you have, there are several ways to clean your oven. If your oven is a self-cleaning type, the cleaning process will be easier for you. If it's an older model oven without this feature, you will need to do a bit more work. In both cases, we've created a quick tutorial on how to clean an oven safely and without the use of harsh chemicals.
Inside the oven: self-cleaning ovens
The interior of the oven is one of the most overlooked parts of a kitchen. It's one of those 'out of sight, out of mind' things. Grime can build up on the walls. But, the more you cook, the harder it is to scrape that dirt off.
If you are unsure whether or not your oven can clean itself, look at the knobs. See if there is a setting for cleaning. If so, this process is not complicated; all it does is heat the oven to a really high temperature and burn whatever is stuck inside. Your oven will emit a pretty terrible smell, so open the windows and keep children and pets away from the kitchen until the process is complete and the oven cools completely.
Step 1 - For some ovens, you have to lock it yourself, but others automatically lock each time you start the cleaning process. Check your oven's security lock to make sure you know how to use it if necessary.
2nd step - Press the button or move the button to activate cleaning.
Step 3 - It takes two to six hours to complete the process. The door unlocks when complete.
Step 4 - Let it cool for a few hours before opening it to avoid burning fat.
Step 5 - When you open the door, there will be a pile of burnt fat and some leftover food. All you have to do is sweep or wipe this debris from your oven. If the grates still have grime, you can remove them and soak them in the sink for half an hour, then wipe them dry.
Alternative option: steam cleaning
Ovens, especially those with convection settings, may offer a "steam clean" mode - Samsung, Whirlpool, GE and other oven models may be equipped with this feature. This mode requires you to pour approximately one cup of water directly into the oven before activating the cleaning mode. The steam helps separate and dislodge baked fragments and makes it easier to wipe off the oven at the end of the cycle (plus the smell isn't as bad). If your oven has a steam cleaning feature, this can be a great way to clean and maintain your appliance.
Inside the oven: non-self-cleaning oven
Some older ovens don't clean themselves, so you have to use elbow grease. There are several ways to approach the nooks and crannies of your oven. The first and easiest way is to get oven cleaner, spray it all over, let it dry and wipe it off. If you are worried about vacuum fumes or the environment, you can make your own cleaner using baking soda and water. We will discuss the DIY method in the steps below.
Step 1 - Remove the racks from your oven and soak them in lukewarm water and dish soap for a few hours. Those with very large oven racks may consider using the tub, but you may be able to soak the racks in the sink if you have enough space.
2nd step - Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Shake it to dissolve the baking soda.
Step 3 - Spray evenly on all surfaces.
Step 4 - Let the solution soak for an hour. If you go back and the dirt is still really stuck, spray the solution again and wait another hour.
Step 5 - Wipe down your oven with a lukewarm water cloth. You can also use a car windshield scraper to remove really stubborn parts. A The dedicated cooking brush is especially useful for tough scrubbing jobs.
Step 6 - If the walls are still dirty after removing the baking soda, dilute 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with lukewarm water and quickly wipe it off. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and pop it out with a washcloth, leaving a nice shine.
After rinsing and drying the soaked oven racks, put them back inside the oven.
Clean the door
You can clean your oven door using the same method: oven cleaner or baking soda. If you have a window in the oven door, you can use glass cleaner on the window. Wash away any food or grease that has spilled from the stove outside the door with lukewarm water and soap.
Cleaning the stove
Cleaning the inside of an oven is hard work, so take a break before going on the stove - you deserve it. The outside is much easier.
Step 1 - Remove all the racks and let them soak in a mixture of water and dish soap (as you did with the oven racks).
2nd step - Depending on how dirty your stove is and your preferences, use an industrial cleaner or make your own cleaner. If you are making your own cleanser, use the same mixture of baking soda and water as before, then add vinegar.
Step 3 - Apply the cleaner of your choice over the entire surface of the stove and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Some baked-on crusts may require a hard rubbing to remove. When finished, lightly spray the range with a general household cleaner and wipe it dry with a paper towel to help remove traces of oil.
Step 4 - Replace the racks and you are ready to begin cooking.
For a glass cooker, you will need a glass oven cleaner to prevent streaking. Just place a small amount of the cleaner on top and use a warm washcloth or green scouring pad to scrub the entire top, then use lukewarm water to rinse it off. You can towel dry it or let it air dry.
Cleaning the control panel and buttons
Your oven's control panel is where the unfortunate combination of grease, food particles, skin oils and dirt from your hands occurs. It's no surprise that the mixture quickly becomes one of the dirtiest places in your kitchen.
Touch panels are more common on induction ovens, smart ovens, and wall ovens. If you own one of these new ovens, your appliance may have touchscreen controls like the ones pictured above. If a touchscreen is all you've got, cleaning it shouldn't be too difficult.
Step 1 - Take a clean cloth and immerse it in lukewarm water mixed with a little dish soap. You can also use a safe household cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water.
2nd step - If there are really stubborn stains, pull out a soft scrub brush or sponge. Lather up a bit to help remove the toughest stains.
Step 3 - Wipe with a damp cloth and dry with a cloth or paper towel.
Now this process works great for touchscreens and flat buttons, but if you have more common buttons like the ones pictured above, you need to approach them differently to make sure the dirt is gone for good.
Step 1 - Remove the knobs from your oven. This shouldn't be a difficult process, as most ovens are designed with detachable buttons for cleaning. They should come off after you gently pull them towards you. However, if you are having difficulty detaching them, we suggest that you consult your oven's instruction manual. Once you have all of the buttons loose, put them in a bowl filled with half water and half white vinegar. You also have the option of washing the buttons in the dishwasher; however, this is not always necessary.
2nd step - More than likely, you'll see a decent amount of dirt on the pimples, especially if they haven't been cleaned for an extended period of time. Before you start scrubbing, be sure to spray or wipe it off with the vinegar solution you just created in the previous step. After doing this, take a durable sponge or brush and scrub the pimples until the dirt is gone. Finally, thoroughly wipe down all buttons to remove any remaining dirt or particles.
Step 3 - Clean the pimples with water and let them dry on a dish rack or towel. If your buttons are metal, you will need to hand dry them with a towel to prevent water spots from forming.
Step 4 - Put the knobs back on your oven and try them out to make sure they are in place and working properly.
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