Cleaning the oven can be one of the most dreaded household chores. As a busy person, I often put it off until the oven is caked with burnt food and grime. However, with the right techniques and products, I’ve found that keeping my oven clean doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. This guide will provide me with lazy-approved tips to make oven cleaning as easy as possible.
Why It’s Important To Clean The Oven Regularly
Before diving into the cleaning tips, it’s important to understand why regular oven cleaning is necessary:
Prevent Odors and Smoke
Burnt-on food and grease residue inside the oven can create strong, unpleasant odors in the kitchen. It can also cause smoke when baking at high temperatures, which sets off smoke alarms.
Improve Cooking Results
Grease build-up prevents heat from circulating properly inside the oven, affecting how evenly and efficiently food cooks. A clean oven ensures consistent cooking temperatures.
Extend Oven’s Life
Leftover food particles and grease can corrode the oven interior over time. Regular cleaning preserves the integrity of the metal and prevents costly oven repairs or replacement.
Avoid Fire Hazards
Grease is highly flammable. Letting it build up increases the chance of food igniting inside a hot oven, posing a serious fire hazard.
Cleaning Tips For Oven Exteriors
While oven interiors require a deep clean periodically, the exterior surfaces should be cleaned more frequently. Here are some quick tips for keeping oven exteriors tidy between major cleaning sessions:
Wipe Down After Each Use
Get into the habit of giving the exterior a quick wipe down after the oven cools from each use. All it takes is a few minutes to remove any grease, drips, or crumbs with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. This regular maintenance prevents major build-up.
Use Glass Cleaner on Doors
Over time, oven doors get greasy handprints and cooking splatters. Keep glass oven doors shining by cleaning them with glass cleaner each week. Spray the cleaner directly onto a soft cloth before wiping to avoid dripping onto the oven interior.
Scour Tough Stains
Baking soda makes a gentle but effective scrubber for stained oven surfaces. Sprinkle some on a damp sponge, then lightly scrub to remove discoloration without damaging the finish. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Freshen With DIY Cleaner
For a natural cleaner, mix 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 10 drops lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Spritz exteriors and wipe down. The vinegar cuts grease, while the lemon leaves a fresh scent.
How To Deep Clean Oven Interiors
While quick wipe downs keep exterior surfaces tidy, the oven interior needs a thorough deep cleaning every few months. Here are some tips to make this daunting chore as simple as possible:
Remove Racks and Accessories
Take out oven racks, pans, foils or anything inside the oven. Soak racks and accessories in warm soapy water to loosen stuck-on food as the oven interior cleans.
Apply Oven Cleaner
I find that spray-on oven cleaners simplify the toughest cleaning jobs. Be sure to open windows first for ventilation. Cover the oven interior with a thick layer, avoiding any bare metal.
Let Dwell for Hours
For minimal scrubbing, I let the cleaner sit for 6-12 hours. Longer dwell times allow the powerful formula time to dissolve the grease and burnt-on food. Set a phone reminder so I don’t forget to check on it.
Wipe Away Residue
After several hours, the food grime should wipe away easily with a damp cloth. For stubborn spots, spray again and let sit before wiping clean. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads during this step.
Rinse Thoroughly
Ensure no oven cleaner residue remains by rinsing with a water/vinegar solution. Dip a cloth in 1 cup water mixed with 1/4 cup white vinegar and wipe thoroughly. Let the oven dry completely before replacing racks.
Remove Odors
Even after cleaning, smells may linger. Place a small bowl of coffee grounds or baking soda in the oven overnight to absorb odors. In the morning, just wipe out – no scrubbing necessary.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
If I’m looking for non-toxic oven cleaning alternatives, these natural methods work for light to moderate grime:
Baking Soda
Baking soda serves as a gentle abrasive cleaner. Sprinkle it generously over oven surfaces and spritz with water. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing off with a damp cloth or sponge. Avoid using baking soda on self-cleaning oven interiors.
Salt
Much like baking soda, plain table salt works to scour away dirt and grease. Make a paste with 1/4 cup salt and just enough water to bind. Apply the paste and let sit before scrubbing and rinsing.
Vinegar
The acetic acid in white vinegar breaks up stubborn grime. Place 1/2 cup vinegar in a glass bowl. Heat the empty oven at 300°F for 30 minutes to warm it, then turn off and place the bowl inside. Keep the door closed for an hour. Wipe with a cloth – no scrubbing required.
Lemon Juice
For extra grease-cutting power, follow the vinegar method but substitute lemon juice for half of the vinegar. The citric acid helps dissolve greasy buildup.
Hydrogen Peroxide
The foaming action of peroxide lifts grime easily. Spray full-strength peroxide and let sit for 30 minutes before wiping clean. Rinse surfaces afterward. Avoid peroxide on self-cleaning oven interiors.
Self-Cleaning Oven Tips
For those lucky enough to have a self-cleaning oven, this feature takes the work out of deep cleans. Here are a few pointers:
Read Manual First
Follow all instructions in the owner’s manual before attempting to self-clean. For example, some models recommend spraying water on the bottom of the oven before starting.
Remove Accessories
Be sure to remove oven racks and other removable parts before self-cleaning. Accessories left inside may get damaged.
Ventilate Properly
Open windows and turn on ventilation fans before self-cleaning. The high heat required can produce smoke and odors. Running the air conditioner can also help.
Wipe Out Ash
Once the cycle completes, there will likely be a gray ash residue to wipe out. An abrasive scrubber can remove any stubborn remnants after self-cleaning.
Restore Shine
The ultra-high cleaning temperatures can leave mineral deposits on oven window glass. Use glass cleaner or vinegar to remove these and restore shine.
Maintaining a Clean Oven is Easy
While no one looks forward to oven cleaning day, these simple methods make the job much more manageable for lazy people like me. By tackling the chore regularly using timesaving tricks, I can keep my oven fresh and ready for holiday baking without too much hassle. With some cleaning motivation in hand, I may even start to enjoy seeing my oven return to sparkling condition.
