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Mastering the Art: How to Clean an Oven Like a Pro
- July 7, 2024
How To Clean An Oven
Imagine opening your oven door to reveal a sparkling, gleaming interior where every corner shines with cleanliness. The aroma of your next culinary masterpiece isn’t tainted by last week’s lasagna spills or lingering grease.
Mastering the art of cleaning an oven isn’t just about appearances; it’s about enhancing your cooking experience and prolonging the life of your appliance. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a casual home cook, a pristine oven signifies the promise of delicious creations and the mastery of your kitchen domain.
This blog post will guide you through the intricacies of oven cleaning, unravelling professional secrets and tried-and-true techniques. We’ll delve into the specifics of how to clean an oven efficiently and effectively, ensuring you achieve that professional-grade sparkle without the costly cleaning service. By the end of this journey, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge and confidence to tackle even the grimiest ovens.
So, roll up your sleeves and prepare to discover the satisfying transformation an immaculate oven can bring to your culinary adventures. We have divided the cleaning methods into two categories: one eco-friendly and one using commercial-grade oven cleaners.
What are the benefits of cleaning your oven?
A dirty oven can be dangerous and unpleasant to cook in.
Cleaning an oven regularly will help prevent the below from happening.
- Reducing damage to the oven
- Discoloration that is visible
- Extensive smoke output
- Fire hazards
- Reduced oven life
Leaving the oven unclean for a while can lead to grease and burnt food bits getting stuck inside. This can cause extensive smoke output as the food continues to burn, resulting in a fire hazard. As a result of the smoke, fire alarms may go off, and your meal may taste bitter and burnt.
Preparing Your Oven for Cleaning: Safety First
Before starting the oven cleaning process, taking some safety precautions to protect yourself and your appliance is crucial.
- Turn off the power: This is a crucial step. Make sure your oven is turned off before starting the cleaning process. This simple action can prevent accidents or electrical hazards, ensuring your safety.
- Ventilate the area: Open windows or turn on a fan to ensure proper ventilation during cleaning. Some oven cleaners emit strong fumes that can be harmful if inhaled in a confined space.
- Remove accessories: Remove removable parts, such as trays and accessories, from your oven and clean them separately.
How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
How often should you really clean your oven? Spruce recommends cleaning it every few months, but this depends on how often you use it.
Although the self-cleaning function can be a great option for quick cleaning, it isn’t the only cleaning that’s required for this appliance. A deep clean of your oven should still be done regularly.
Rather than seeing it as a chore, consider it a way to preserve your appliance.
Here’s an eco-friendly step-by-step guide to help you clean your oven effectively
Materials Needed:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Rubber gloves
- Microfibre Cloths
- Scraper & scourer
- Spray bottle
- Plastic tray to soak racks in (or you can use a large sink)
- Paint brush
Making Natural Oven Cleaner
A common natural oven cleaner is baking soda and white vinegar.
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with enough water to create a spreadable paste.
- Mix a 3:1 ratio of water to white vinegar in the plastic bottle.
Eco Cleaner Oven Cleaning Steps
Oven Preparation:
Safety First: Ensure the oven is turned off at the wall.
Put on the rubber gloves.
Remove oven trays and other items inside the oven.
Remove old burnt food from inside the oven.
Cleaning the Oven Racks:
In the plastic tray or sink, place the racks in hot water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. For extra grime, you can add baking soda.
Soak them for a few hours, or better yet, overnight.
Refill the plastic tray with fresh, warm water, scrub the trays with a scourer to remove grease and grime, and finish with microfibre.
Cleaning Inside the Oven with Baking Soda & Vinegar:
With the paintbrush, spread the baking soda paste all over the interior surfaces of the oven (including the oven door), avoiding the heating elements. NOTE: You can use an old toothbrush to get into tight corners.
Pay special attention to particularly greasy or burnt areas.
Leave the baking soda paste for a few hours.
Now lightly spray the oven with the vinegar solution, avoiding heating elements or electrics. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, creating a foamy reaction that helps lift away the remaining grime.
Leave for another 10-20 minutes, and then scrub the oven with a scourer, wiping out excess residue with a microfibre.
To remove stubborn spots from the bottom, sides, and oven door, you can use the scraper.
Final Steps:
Ensure that all baking soda and vinegar has been removed from the oven.
Put the oven racks back in place.
Before using the oven to cook, turn it on for 20 minutes. Some drips may occur during this process; you can wipe them up after the oven has cooled down.
NOTE: The effectiveness of the ECO cleaning method increases if the oven is regularly cleaned. If your oven is very dirty, you should do this next cleaning process.
Step-by-Step Guide Using Commercial Grade Oven Cleaner
Materials Needed:
- Commercial grade oven cleaner. We recommend Selleys here at Spruce as it will clean the dirtiest of ovens. As this is a very strong oven cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
- Rubber gloves
- Respirator Mask
- Microfibre Cloths
- Old Towel
- Scraper & scourer
- Plastic tray to scrub trays in (option)
Commercial Cleaner Oven Cleaning Steps
Oven Preparation:
Safety First: Ensure the oven is turned off at the wall.
Put on the rubber gloves.
Put on the respirator mask.
Remove old burnt food from inside the oven.
Oven cleaners can damage flooring or cabinets. Put the old towel below the oven on the ground.
Cleaning Inside the Oven:
Leave the oven trays inside.
Spray inside the oven, avoiding the heating elements. Make sure to spray the oven door (inside) and the trays. Turn the oven trays around and spray them again.
Leave for 20 minutes or up to an hour if the oven is dirty.
Remove the trays and scrub them with a scourer in the sink or plastic tray. Rinse and then finish with microfibre.
Scrub the oven with a scourer. Use microfibre cloth to remove all excess oven cleaner.
To remove stubborn spots from the bottom, sides and oven door, use the scraper.
Final Steps:
Ensure that all the oven cleaner has been removed from the oven.
Put the oven racks back in place.
Before using the oven to cook, turn it on for 30 minutes. Some drips may occur during this process; you can wipe them up after the oven has cooled down.
NOTE: Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended Safety Data Sheet for any oven cleaners used.
PRO TIP: Be sure to clean up any oven cleaner that gets on the cupboards or any other surface during this process.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
Congratulations! You have successfully mastered the art of cleaning an oven like a pro. By following the step-by-step guide, using essential tools and supplies, and maintaining regular upkeep, you can enjoy a clean and efficient oven for years to come.
Remember, a clean oven enhances your cooking experience and prolongs the life of your appliance. So, take pride in your sparkling oven. Happy cooking!
Tips:
-
- Self-Cleaning Ovens: If your oven has a self-cleaning function, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, be aware that this function uses high heat and can produce smoke and fumes.
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly wiping down spills and splatters when they occur can help your oven stay cleaner between deep cleans.
Cleaning your oven periodically will help maintain its efficiency and prolong its life.
If you want to know more about Spruce’s oven cleaning services, contact us! We’d love to help you make your oven look new again or offer our advice.
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