How to clean your oven —
the smarter way

 

The first step in how to clean an oven is to just start. Chances are that you’ve overcomplicated this task in your head and now you’re facing the consequences of neglecting your oven for so long.

Some telltale signs that your oven is overdue for a cleanup: A distinct odour, too much smoke, and thick baked-on crust at the bottom of the cavity. Sounds familiar? Smells from food bits and grease in a dirty oven can get on your food. And if your oven smoulders, it could be a safety hazard.

Cleaning your oven can be simple if you make it simple. Here’s a fuss-free way of how to clean an oven in 5 steps:

• Coat the oven cavity
• Clean the oven racks
• Scrub the cavity
• Clean the inside of the glass oven door
• Wipe the outside of the oven door, the handle, knobs, and the rest of the panel.

 

How often to clean the oven

Your cleaning schedule will depend on how often you use your oven. If you use it frequently, give it a good scrub once every three months. If not, once or twice a year will do. For the baking soda method, cleaning will take around 12 hours or overnight, but this is mostly waiting time, and it can be shorter if you regularly spot clean.

It also depends on what you usually cook. Stews overflow. Fats and sauces splatter. Cheese bubbles up then hardens — all these will ramp up how often you need to clean. To make it easier on yourself, protect your oven against messes, using roasting bags or placing a tray at the bottom to catch spills.

>> Read more: Frequently asked questions about built-in ovens

 

What you need:

You have several options on what cleaner to use, but a homemade baking soda mixture is your best bet on how to clean a greasy oven. It’s a safer, more natural and thorough method to get rid of heavy buildup. Here’s what you need to prepare:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• Rubber gloves
• Brushes: Stiff brush, medium-sized soft brush (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Cleaning rag: Microfibre cloth or non-abrasive pad
• Old newspapers or paper towels

>> Read more: How to clean a gas stove burner in 3 easy steps

 

Five steps to clean your oven effectively

Systematically tackle each part.

Step 1: Coat the oven cavity

Make a cleaning paste with half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of water. Baking soda will serve as an abrasive and water will soften hardened crud.  Remove the racks, oven thermometers, and pans. Put some newspaper or paper towels on the floor to catch bits that fall off.

Wearing your gloves or using a brush, liberally coat the oven cavity with the mixture. Avoid the glass door, heating elements, gas vents, and light bulbs. Let it sit for 12 hours or overnight.

Step 2: Soak the racks

While your oven marinates in the baking soda mixture, clean the racks. In the sink, a large basin, or your bathtub, soak them in hot water for two hours. Afterwards, scrub using a stiff brush. The baked-on grease should have loosened so it’s easier to remove. If the water turns really murky with some charred bits floating around, that’s a good sign. Rinse the racks, then dry.

Step 3: Scrub the cavity

Now that the baking soda has done its magic, it’s time to scrub. Again, prepare newspapers or paper towels to catch spills. With a damp microfibre cloth or non-abrasive pad, vigorously wipe off the hardened baking soda. It will be satisfying to see the stains and residue come off.

For another layer of clean, spray the whole cavity with vinegar to remove the stubborn parts. Finish off with a damp rag then dry.

Step 4: Clean the inside of the glass oven door

Make another baking soda-water paste. Smear it all over the interior of the door and let it sit for only 30 minutes. Since it’s glass, be gentler so you don’t cause scratches. Afterwards, wipe it clean using a damp microfibre cloth. As an added step, use a glass cleaner or diluted vinegar for more shine.

Grease and food bits can also get stuck between your oven door’s glass panels. It’s best to refer to your manual on how to access this since you might have to unscrew some parts. Once open, vacuum off the dust and crumbs. Use a damp sponge or cloth attached to a long handle, and very carefully wipe. Now, you can see through your oven door again.

Step 5: Don’t forget the knobs, handle, and oven door exterior

Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Spray on a microfibre cloth, then use it to wipe the outside of the oven door, the handle, knobs, and the rest of the panel. Be careful not to spray directly on the controls because you might short them out.

>> Read more: How to clean your fridge easily in the right way

Clean smart, not hard

It’s better to be more strategic, do less, and enjoy more; than spend too much time on something all at once. After every use, sweep off any crumbs and wipe the surfaces of your oven. Don’t wait for it to be totally caked in grease.

Another grease-busting agent is intense heat. The 72L Built-in Pyrolytic Cleaning Oven with a pyrolytic cleaning programme burns away grime, without any need for water or chemicals, leaving you to easily wipe the interior afterwards. Its oven door with quadruple glazing keeps it cool to the touch while reflecting heat back in.

Don’t let it come to a point where a dirty oven — or procrastination — hinders you from enjoying quality meals. Choose Electrolux ovens that make cleaning easier for you.