How to Clean Your Oven

For everyday oven cleaning, wipe up any crumbs with a dry rag and clean any spills with an all-purpose cleaner, warm, soapy water, or everyday oven cleaner, like Easy-Off Fume-Free Trigger.

 

Deep clean the oven every few months or as needed. Remove the racks and soak them in warm, soapy water for several hours in a tub, storage container, or even a kiddie pool. Scrub with a scouring pad, then rinse and dry. If they have really stubborn residue that doesn’t come off with scrubbing, place them in a sealed bag with 1/4 cup ammonia and place the bag(s) outside. Let them sit overnight, then remove them from the bags (there will be fumes). Wipe if needed and rinse well. Dry thoroughly.
  • It is not necessary for the 1/4 cup of ammonia to completely cover the grates or drip pans. It is the fumes that do the work.

 

With the racks removed, spread a paste made from baking soda and water over the interior surface of the oven, being sure to keep the coils and other sensitive areas clean (use foil to block these areas). Let it sit overnight or for at least 12 hours. The baking soda may turn brown, which is normal. When it’s time, wipe out as much of the baking soda as possible with a plastic scraper or a wet rag, rinsing the rag often in the sink. For stubborn residue, use a plastic scraper or clean razor blade to CAREFULLY and GENTLY scrape away residue. Keep the blade parallel to the surface to avoid scratching. Next, use a spray bottle to spritz vinegar over any surfaces with baking soda residue and wipe to a shine. Remove any foil that was used to keep areas free of cleaner. Replace oven racks.

 

To clean the door and window, spread another paste of baking soda and water over the interior glass. Let sit for 30 minutes and wipe clean. Avoid getting baking soda or water on the gasket (seal).

 

Other Methods
You can follow the same instructions above using a paste made from Bar Keepers Friend instead of baking soda, but only let it sit for the time allowed on the product’s label.

 

There are a variety of oven cleaners available, including ones safe for self-cleaning ovens and fume-free cleaners that don’t require heat, as well as more traditional, heavy-duty options. Use as directed on the label.

 

Place 1/2 cup ammonia in a shallow glass or pottery container in a cold oven overnight. The ammonia fumes will help loosen the burned-on grease and food so you can wipe it clean.

 

Some ovens come with a self-cleaning option. In this method, the oven heats itself to extremely high temperatures to burn up and remove residue without chemicals. This method should be used sparingly as it is very hard on the oven. Follow the directions in the manual and never place anything else in the oven while its self-cleaning. Usually, even the oven racks must be removed.

 

Sources

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-an-oven-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-201191

http://www.marthastewart.com/1062857/how-clean-oven

http://www.geappliances.com/ge/range-stove/range-cleaning-options.htm

http://www.thekitchn.com/why-you-should-almost-never-use-the-self-cleaning-function-of-your-oven-175110

http://www.easyoff.us/ovencleanersolutionsfinder_allsolutions.php

 

By Heather DeVoll