Now that the Holidays are over, it’s officially the best time to give your oven that much needed clean. The turkey is gone, the green bean casserole is no more, and the apple pie definitely ran all over your oven! No, just me? Cleaning an oven can be a dreaded experience for sure, but have no fear, there are many ways to get the task completed. We're diving into 3 ways to clean your oven, so take your pick!
Many ovens nowadays have a self-cleaning function which takes care of most of the hard work. It’s a time-saving feature that allows you to press a button and walk away. Brilliant!
How does it work? Self-clean ovens are cleaned using high heat that breaks down the stubborn food solids left in your oven. After the cycle is completed, a small amount of ash is left in the bottom which can be wiped out using a damp cloth. A self-clean cycle can take 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the oven type and how long you set it for. Make sure you turn on your hood fan because a slight odour will occur.
Many self-cleaning ovens can't be cleaned with a commercial oven cleaner so check the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to remove the oven racks unless they are self-clean racks. If they are stainless steel, they must come out.
Steam-Clean
Steam clean ovens are another great way to keep your oven clean. This system eliminates the need for nasty chemicals and super high temperatures that could potentially wear down your oven over time. The trick with steam clean is that you have to stay on top of it. Don't let the mess get out of hand. Steam cleaning does a quick clean of minor food spills at a lower temperature.
Check your oven guide for the correct way to use the steam clean system but we'll give you a quick rundown on how it works. Pour 1 cup of water into a cool oven (make sure it's cool!) Close door. Select the steam feature. Will last about 30 minutes. Wipe out with a soft cloth. Pots and pans can stay in the oven.
If you have a large spill and the steam clean won't get it out, use a recommended oven cleaner to clean it.
Manual Clean
The final way to clean an oven is the old-fashioned way! Prepare for some scrubbing and some grime stuck in your fingernails (or eliminate that lovely thought with gloves!)
There are many oven cleaners out there on the market. Make sure to read the manufacturers guidelines to see which one is compatible with your oven.
A natural way to clean your oven is with baking soda and vinegar. Make a paste with baking soda and water, spread all over the oven and let sit. Spray with vinegar then wipe out. Scrub off any grime with the tool of your choice; steel wool, scouring pad, SOS pads, or a Magic Eraser. To clean the oven door glass, use the same method. You can use steel wool on the glass, but if you don't want to take that risk, use a less abrasive tool, like a scouring pad or SOS pad.
Another option is using ammonia. Place ½ cup ammonia in a shallow glass, place in cold oven overnight. The fumes help loosen baked on grease and food solids. Wipe out in the morning.
A good habit to get into is to frequently wipe out the oven so food doesn’t build up. Use soap, water, and a scouring pad for light food soils.