Kitchen ovens can get very dirty very quickly. Burnt food and grease accumulate on the walls and racks. Over time, this grime bakes on and becomes difficult to remove. Getting an oven truly clean often seems like an impossible task. However, with the right techniques and products, anyone can get their oven sparking clean in minutes.
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Oven
A dirty oven is more than just an eyesore. Here are some key reasons you need to clean your oven regularly:
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Food Safety – Leftover grease and food particles can burn and create smoke or odors that transfer to your food. This can negatively impact flavor and potentially health.
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Fire Prevention – Built up grease on an oven’s interior can easily catch fire, especially near the heating elements. Regular cleaning helps prevent dangerous grease fires.
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Energy Efficiency – Grime buildup causes your oven to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. A clean oven requires less energy to heat effectively.
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Pest Prevention – Food scraps and grease residue can attract ants, cockroaches and other unwanted pests. A clean oven helps keep critters out.
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Ease of Use – Burnt on stains make oven racks harder to slide in and out smoothly. Clean racks glide effortlessly for convenient access.
Supplies You Need for Cleaning an Oven Fast
Getting the right tools makes oven cleaning much quicker and easier. Here are the key supplies you’ll want to have on hand:
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Oven cleaner spray – Look for a heavy-duty spray cleaner formulated for oven grime. Avoid using cleaners that contain harsh caustic chemicals.
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Steel wool pads – These abrasive pads help scrub away baked-on grease and burnt bits. Opt for extra coarse grade steel wool.
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Non-scratch scrub sponges – Use these for scrubbing the oven without risk of scratching. I prefer sponges with a abrasive side and a soft side.
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Disposable gloves – Wear gloves to protect your hands from harsh oven cleaners and grime exposure. Nitrile gloves work best.
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Trash bags – You’ll need these for discarding used gloves, pads, paper towels, etc. Large contractor bags are ideal.
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Old rags or paper towels – Have these on hand for wiping up cleaner and grime residue. Avoid microfiber cloths which can scratch.
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Baking soda – Baking soda helps scour off tough burnt on stains. It also deodorizes as you clean.
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White vinegar – Fill a spray bottle with vinegar to help cut through greasy buildup. It also removes odors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Cleaning Your Oven Fast
Follow these steps to get your oven looking like new again quickly:
Prep Your Oven
First, remove everything – Take out oven racks, broiler pans, etc. The emptier the oven, the easier it is to clean.
Ventilate the kitchen – Open windows and turn on your ventilation fan or range hood. This lets harsh fumes escape.
Wear gloves – Don protective gloves to keep your hands safe from chemicals and grime. Nitrile gloves work great.
Attack Burnt Food and Grease
Spray problem areas – Use your oven cleaner to coat stuck on food, grime or grease spots. Avoid getting it on oven surfaces.
Let it sit – Allow the cleaner to soak in for 5-10 minutes. This gives it time to loosen baked-on gunk.
Scrub with steel wool – Use coarse grade steel wool and your scrub sponge to remove stubborn spots. Apply pressure as needed.
Use baking soda – Make a paste with water and baking soda to scour off extreme burnt spots. Let it bubble for 2-3 minutes before scrubbing.
Rinse cleaned areas – Wipe the areas you’ve scrubbed with a wet rag to remove all cleaner and grime residue.
Clean Inside Walls and Door
Spray down interior – Liberally apply oven cleaner all over the oven’s inner surfaces – sides, back, ceiling. Avoid heating elements.
Let sit 5 minutes – Give the cleaner time to penetrate and dissolve built-up grease and residue.
Wipe down with rag – Use old rags to wipe the interior surfaces clean. Reapply cleaner and scrub with sponge if needed.
Use vinegar spray – Mist remaining stain spots with undiluted white vinegar and wipe clean for shine.
Rinse with wet rag – Wipe all surfaces with a rag and water to remove any cleaner film before it dries.
Clean Racks and Accessories
Soak racks – Place oven racks in your bathtub or outside and spray liberally with oven cleaner. Allow to soak 15 minutes.
Scrub racks – Use steel wool to scrub both sides of oven racks until fully clean. Rinse thoroughly.
Clean broiler pans – Spray broiler pans and scrub with sponge or steel wool. Rinse completely.
Wipe down exterior – Mist the oven’s exterior door and handle with vinegar spray. Wipe clean with a paper towel.
Replace accessories – Once fully dry, return oven racks, broiler pans, etc to their positions in the oven.
Finish Up
Check for streaks – Inspect the interior for any remaining grease residue or streaks. Re-clean as needed.
Remove gloves/trash – Discard your gloves and any rags or paper towels in your trash bag for disposal.
Eliminate odors – Place a small bowl of baking soda inside the oven to absorb any lingering smells.
Test it out – Do a test run heating the empty oven to ensure all grease was removed properly.
Following this thorough cleaning routine allows anyone to banish built-up grime and restore their oven to a sparkling clean state. Be sure to clean your oven regularly going forward to prevent extreme buildup from recurring. A few minutes of maintenance cleaning each week keeps your oven looking freshly scrubbed. Let these tips help you take back control of even the dirtiest oven!
