No matter how careful you are with your oven, you are going to notice a build up of dirt or oil at one point. Part of maintaining any oven is keeping it clean. If you don’t clean your oven regularly, it will start to smell like something is burning even though you have just turned it on. This is because the food particles pack on and, when your oven heats up, they start to burn. Here are some essential oven cleaning tips you should follow:
The worst thing you can do when something spills in your oven is to leave it. Once the food spill becomes dry, it’s so much harder to clean. What you should do is clean the spillage right away because the warmth in the oven will make the stain come off more easily.
There are some rather unusual oven cleaning tips out there that you can try if you’re not satisfied with your regular solution. For example, some suggest that crumpled newspaper might be more efficient in oven cleaning than a sponge. Others say that you can use nail files to scrape off stubborn stains that simply won’t come off. Some even suggest that salt is your best bet in fighting off those greasy stains inside your oven, while there are those who say that a combination of salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice works even better.
While some love self-cleaning ovens, others feel that this is a feature they can do without. It really does come down to personal preference but, if you do use it, make sure that you follow the instructions to the letter. Improper use can do more harm than good. Remember that the self-cleaning function, even when used correctly, can take its toll on your oven. This is why it is best to wash areas like the inside of the oven door by hand. If you wash regularly, you will find that oven cleaning doesn’t require much effort.
Some ovens have a steam cleaning function that works well when you need to remove gunk or grime that has managed to pack on. You simply need to add a small amount of water to the bottom of the oven before running the steam cycle. As the water boils, the steam will fill the oven and allow stubborn grime to loosen. Once the cycle is complete, you can wipe the interior of your oven to clear away the dirt without any harsh scrubbing. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
These ovens have a special type of surface that burns spills off gradually during every use. All you need to do is wipe down the interior of the oven with a damp cloth to remove this dirt. This needs to be done often in order to keep the oven clean, and you should never use any cleaning chemicals or abrasive cleaners like scouring pads.
If your oven does not have a self-cleaning function, then you will need to choose the right cleaning products and get ready to put in some effort. The best thing to do is to buy an oven cleaner with a good reputation and follow the instructions on the label. You should also remember to properly ventilate your kitchen while you are cleaning since these cleaning substances are quite strong.
Alternatively, you can go green by coating the oven with a paste made from baking soda and water. Leave overnight to loosen stubborn dirt and wipe off the dry paste the next day. Don’t worry if you can’t get all the paste off. Simply use vinegar to remove anything left behind. The dry paste and vinegar spray will make a foam you can use to scrub away any dirt. Finally, wipe with a damp cloth and allow to air dry once done.
Metal oven racks should be removed and placed in a tub of hot, soapy water. Soak for about two hours and then scrub them with a brush. Rinse and allow to dry before placing them back in the oven.
Remember, keeping your oven clean will help prolong its life and make for easier repairs if and when needed.