It is not just about having a clean oven that looks good; it is also responsible for the safety and efficiency of cooking.
It causes accumulated grease, food particles, and grime that trigger objectionable odors and smoke and result in uneven cooking. A polluted oven can also cause a fire because of grease and other products that could accumulate in the oven.
One of the reasons why most individuals prefer to avoid cleaning their ovens is because they think the cleaning process involves only tedious and time-consuming scrubbing combined with using rather aggressive chemicals.
But as you have read, for techniques and natural solutions, your oven does not have to look dull or have you doing the elbow work to get it to shine like new again. In this guide, we discussed how to clean your oven without bothering much by following a number of easy ways with the help of the things available at home.
Step By Step Methods To Clean Your Oven With Home Ingredients
Method 1: The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Some natural cleaning methods people favor include using baking soda and vinegar. These two primary products used in any kitchen are perfectly combined as they effectively remove grease and dirt.
What You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- A spray bottle
- A cloth or sponge
- Water
Steps:
1. Remove oven racks: Take them out, clean them separately, and put them aside for cleaning.
2. Create a paste: Add ½ cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water in a small bowl, stirring the mixture until it becomes thick. Ensure you have reduced the water you add to get a consistent, semi-solid feel.
3. Apply the paste: Spread this paste in the interior part of your oven, especially in the region that has more dirt or burnt food particles. Avoid the heating elements.
4. Let it sit: Let the paste set for at least 12 hours or overnight. At this point, baking soda will soften tough grease and stains that may have stuck on the surface.
5. Spray vinegar: After waiting, take some white vinegar, fill the spray bottle with it, and spray it over the baking soda slightly. It will start bubbling, and this will assist in creating a lift-off and cleaning the surface of the dirt.
6. Wipe it clean: After the foaming process is complete, rinse with warm water, turn off the water, wait until the foaming dies down, and then wipe the oven with a wet cloth or sponge. The grime will help to come off quickly, all without scrubbing the stove’s surface and leaving it clean.
7. Clean the oven racks: To clean the oven, use baking soda and warm water paste; you can clean them by putting them in hot water with dishwashing soap. Once rinsed, wash them with a sponge or a cloth to free them from moisture.
Method 2: Steam Cleaning Your Oven
However, if you have little time for cleaning or you prefer a more simple way, steam cleaning will be the best option for you. This technique requires water to heat water to produce steam that helps in loosening up the dirt to enable it to be wiped.
What You’ll Need:
An item used for cooking that remains heat resistant after use.
- Water
- Lemon juice (optional)
Steps:
Prepare the water: Prepare a dish or pan that can be at a comfortable temperature with water. To get additional scrubbing ability and a wonderful smell, you should pour one lemon juice into the water.
Heat the oven: Turn on your oven at this temperature: 250 degrees Fahrenheit/ 120 degrees Celsius, and put the water dish on the lowermost shelf.
Steam the oven: After that, the water and food are ready to be cooked; switch off the oven, then close the door and let the water heat for 30 minutes. The steam will assist in softening any caked food or grease that may be sticking to the utensil.
Please turn off the oven: After half an hour, toggle off the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Wipe it down: After the oven is cool, one should wet a cloth and wipe the interior of the oven with it. The steam is going to have loosened the dirt, and it will require washing without rubbing.
Method 3: Commercial Oven Cleaners (No-Scrub)
For those who need more time to prepare natural oven cleaners, there are various types of oven cleaners available in the market that claim to clean ovens without the necessity of scrubbing.
Choose a product that is advertised as “No Scrub” or “Self-cleaning.” These products are formulated to remove grease and most stains without much physical work being done.
Steps:
Read the instructions: Pay attention to the manufacturers’ guidelines because some of the products may require the use of a vent or protective gloves.
Apply the cleaner: Pour this cleaner and then sprinkle it inside the oven, but remember not to spread it anywhere close to the heating coils.
Let it sit: A lot of cleaners must wait for a certain amount of time, which usually ranges from 20-30 minutes.
Wipe it off: After the stipulated time, proceed to wash the surface with a damp cloth or sponge to rinse out the cleaner and the dissolved dirt.
Method 4: The Self-Cleaning Oven Function
In case you have an oven with a self-cleaning feature, you will greatly benefit from it. This feature raises the temperature of the oven to very high standards, which in turn makes the food debris and dirt on the utensils transform into ash, which is easily wiped off.
Steps:
1. Remove oven racks: Many times, it is advised to take them out before beginning the self-clean cycle because the heat may affect the parts.
2. Run the self-clean cycle: Press the self-clean button, which takes about 120-240 minutes, depending on the model of the dryer.
3. Let the oven cool: If the baking cycle is finished, allow for the oven to cool off to room temperature before use.
4. Wipe out the ash: The remaining ash should then be wiped out with a damp cloth after the cycle is over.
Final Tips for Maintaining a Clean Oven
Regular maintenance: In order to prevent thick layering, clean your oven, often applying any of the above techniques.
Clean spills immediately: Clean the floor immediately when there is spillage so as to avoid it hardening on the surface.
Use an oven liner: Laying an oven liner at the bottom of an oven is useful when trying to protect from future spills and make cleaning up easier.
Conclusion
Many people dislike cleaning their oven because it’s quite a challenging task. It means that by using the right procedures, you can maintain the cleanliness of your oven without needing to scrub it.
Regardless of the method you choose, whether organic, such as baking soda and vinegar, or the oven self-cleaning technique, these techniques will assist in keeping your kitchen appliance clean and efficient. Maintenance also enhances your culinary experience while prolonging the life expectancy of your oven.
