I absolutely love my cooker, but after years of use it was starting to look a little worse for wear. No matter how much I scrubbed, some stains just wouldn’t budge. The hobs were covered in baked on grease and there were splatters all over the oven door. It was bringing down the look of my otherwise pristine kitchen.
Why It’s Important To Keep Your Cooker Clean
Keeping your cooker clean isn’t just about aesthetics. A build up of grease and grime can be a fire hazard, so it’s important to keep on top of cleaning. Here are some key reasons to maintain a sparkling cooker:
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Prevent grease fires – Fatty deposits left on the hob can easily catch fire. Regular cleaning removes this risk.
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Improve air quality – Burnt on food and grease releases volatile organic compounds when heated. Thorough cleaning improves indoor air quality.
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Kill germs – Bacteria love to breed in the moist environment of an unclean oven. Sanitizing kills germs and reduces risk of food poisoning.
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Make it last – Allowing grime to build up, especially on the hobs, can damage surfaces over time. Cleaning protects your investment.
My Trusty Cooker Was In Need Of Some Serious TLC
My cooker is over 5 years old now and no matter how much I wiped and scrubbed, some stains seemed permanent.
The gas hobs were covered in baked on grease and grime. Discoloration rings marked where pots had boiled over time and time again.
The oven door glass was splattered with oil and streaked. I’d tried every window cleaner out there but nothing shifted the greasy film.
The enamel interior of the oven was stained and dull. Spills had been baked on during countless cooking sessions.
Overall, my cooker looked well used and grubby. I was desperate to get it looking factory fresh again.
The Game Changing Cleaning Solution – Bicarbonate Of Soda
On the hunt for the perfect cleaning solution, I discovered bicarbonate of soda. This natural powder is lightly abrasive and alkaline, making it an effective degreaser and stain remover.
Here’s why bicarbonate of soda is a must-have for cleaning cookers:
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Non-toxic – Completely safe to use on surfaces that contact food. No nasty chemicals.
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Cuts through grease – The gritty texture lifts burned on grease when made into a paste.
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Whitening power – The alkaline pH helps whites appear brighter and shinier.
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Neutralizes odors – Baking soda absorbs nasty smells lingering in the oven.
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Cheap – An inexpensive solution compared to commercial cleaners.
Armed with a box of bicarbonate of soda, I was ready to tackle my filthy cooker.
My Step-By-Step Method To A Stain-Free Cooker
I developed a thorough technique using bicarbonate of soda to clean every inch of my cooker. If you follow these steps, you too can transform your cooker:
Cleaning the Oven
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Remove oven racks and soak in hot soapy water. This loosens grease.
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Make a paste of 1 part water to 3 parts bicarb soda. Apply paste to oven interior with a brush.
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Leave paste to sit for at least 20 minutes to lift stains.
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Scrub with a damp cloth then rinse thoroughly.
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For glass door – make paste with equal parts bicarb and water. Rub onto glass then rinse.
Cleaning the Hobs
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Remove pan supports and burner caps. Soak in hot soapy water.
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Sprinkle bicarb directly onto hobs. For tough stains, make a paste with water.
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Leave for 15 minutes then scrub with a damp cloth in circular motions.
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Rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing burner parts.
Deep Cleaning Enamel
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Mix a paste of 2 parts bicarb to 1 part water.
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Use a soft cloth to massage paste all over enamel. Apply elbow grease on tough stains.
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Rinse then dry with a microfiber cloth for an extra shine.
Satisfying Results With Minimum Effort
I only spent about 30 minutes total giving my cooker a deep clean. The results blew me away.
The hobs look as good as new – not a spot of discoloration in sight! The bicarb paste removed even the most baked on grease easily.
The oven door glass gleams – it looks professionally cleaned. Bicarb really is a miracle for shining up glass.
The oven interior enamel looks bright white again. All those eyebrow-raising stains lifted off with ease.
Best of all, there was very little scrubbing involved. The bicarbonate of soda paste did most of the hard work for me. With minimal effort, I’ve restored my cooker to its former glory!
Tips For Maintaining A Clean Oven
Now that I’ve broken the cycle of grime, I want to keep my cooker’s restored shine. Here are my top tips:
- Wipe spills immediately before they bake on.
- Use liners under pots on the hobs.
- Remove racks to clean weekly.
- Rinse with water after cleaning – no soda residue.
- Spray vinegar and wipe interior after cooking fatty foods.
A little effort each week will prevent major stains returning. My cooker will be kept sparkling!
Give Your Cooker The Deep Clean It Deserves
Don’t live with a filthy cooker that’s embarrassing to look at. Bicarbonate of soda is an affordable, non-toxic cleaner that works wonders. Follow my steps for hobs, oven interior and glass door to breathe new life into a grimy cooker. A little elbow grease gets amazing results. Once you’ve broken the cycle of stains, maintaining the shine is easy. Give your cooker some TLC – you’ll be amazed by the transformation!
