How to Clean an Oven
Keeping your oven clean will ensure that it has a longer life and will be more energy-efficient in a longer period of time. Having a clean oven will also ensure that whatever you bake is clean and sanitary. Here’s how to get started.
Self-Cleaning Oven
Materials
Soapy water
Soft and non-abrasive cleaning cloth
Procedure
clean oven
Take out the oven racks and soak them in soapy water. Dish soap will do.
Turn on your automatic oven cleaner. Follow the instructions, which usually include locking the oven door and selecting the “Clean” option.
Leave some windows open as the oven will char the leftover bits until they fall off, and will exude a burning smell throughout your kitchen.
Once the self-cleaning cycle is done, leave the oven to cool.
Use soapy water to clean the oven door and frame, or a cleaner to remove dust or soil residue. Avoid scrubbing the rubber gasket that serves as a seal to the oven door, just give it a gentle rinse with the soapy water.
When the oven has sufficiently cooled, use a soft, damp cloth to remove all the debris from the interior of the oven. Don’t use anything else.
Textured Oven
Materials
Damp cloth
Soapy water
Procedure
Textured ovens are also known as continuous cleaning ovens. Their textured and rough porcelain surfaces burn off the leftover food in the interior of the oven over a period time of continuous use.
To clean, wait until the oven is cool enough to touch. Wipe the inside with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. Water is good enough for cleaning textured ovens.
Regular Non-Self-Cleaning Oven
Materials
Baking soda
Spray bottle filled with water
Scraper
Oven cleaner
Plastic scrubber or brush
Procedure
Clean your regular non-self-cleaning oven after you’ve used it and it has cooled down using a soft clean cloth soaked in warm water.
For a more thorough cleaning, take out the oven racks and soak them in soapy water.
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the interior surfaces of the oven. Spray the baking soda with water and leave to dry. When the baking soda is dry, spray some more water. Continue this for several more hours.
Scrape out the dried baking soda with a scraper or a scrubber.
For stubborn stains, use an oven cleaner and a scrubbing pad.
Rinse out the oven’s interior using a clean wet cloth.