Tips for Cleaning the Oven: The Basics

Cleaning the oven is one of those household chores most of us would rather put off. Fortunately, modern ovens have made the job easier. Depending on the type of oven you have, you may be able to use a self-clean cycle, steam-clean cycle, or commercial oven cleaner to remove baked-on grease and food.

The best way to clean an oven depends on its cleaning system and the materials used inside and outside the oven. Before using a self-clean cycle or commercial oven cleaner, check your oven’s care instructions because cleaning methods can vary by model.

Tips for Cleaning the Oven: How Often Should You Clean

How often you need to clean your oven depends on how frequently you use it and how much food and grease build up inside.

A good rule is to wipe up spills after the oven has cooled rather than allowing them to bake onto the oven interior. A more thorough cleaning may only be needed every few months for some households, while an oven that gets heavy use may need attention more often.

Cleaning spills while they are still manageable can save a lot of scrubbing later.

How to Clean the Inside of the Oven

For light spills and everyday oven maintenance, let the oven cool completely and wipe the interior with a damp cloth or sponge.

For stuck-on food, a small amount of dish soap diluted in water can help loosen greasy residue. Avoid using abrasive tools or cleaners unless your oven’s care instructions specifically say they are safe for the oven’s interior surface.

Do not pour or spray large amounts of water or cleaner into the oven. You want enough moisture to loosen the soil without soaking the oven or allowing liquid to get into openings.

A Simple Way to Deal With Fresh Oven Spills

If something spills while you are cooking, wait until the oven is cool enough to clean safely and wipe up as much of the spill as possible.

Fresh spills are much easier to remove than food that has been repeatedly heated and baked onto the oven surface.

Can You Use Aluminum Foil in the Oven?

Be careful with aluminum foil. Do not line the bottom of the oven with foil, and do not completely cover an oven rack with foil unless your specific oven manufacturer says that use is safe.

Foil can interfere with airflow, trap heat, and potentially damage the oven. On some ovens, limited use of foil on a lower rack may be permitted to catch drips, but the instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

If you use foil in your oven, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and never allow it to touch a heating element.

How to Clean a Self-Cleaning Oven

A self-cleaning oven uses extremely high temperatures to burn food residue inside the oven into ash. The process does most of the heavy work, but a self-cleaning oven still needs some preparation and maintenance.

Before starting the self-clean cycle:

• Remove pans, cookware, baking sheets, probes, and other items from the oven.
• Remove aluminum foil or oven liners.
• Wipe out loose food and heavy spills to reduce smoke.
• Clean the inside edge of the oven door and the area around the oven opening as directed by the manufacturer.
• Make sure the oven is properly ventilated during the cycle.

Some ovens require the racks to be removed before self-cleaning, while others have racks designed to remain inside during the cycle. Follow the instructions for your specific oven.

The self-clean cycle can produce considerable heat, odors, and smoke, particularly when the oven is heavily soiled. Keep the kitchen well ventilated and keep children away from the hot oven during the cleaning cycle.

When the cycle is finished and the oven has cooled completely, wipe away the remaining ash with a damp cloth or sponge.

Tips for Cleaning the Oven and the Door Gasket?

Be careful around the gasket, which is the seal around the oven door.

Do not scrub, rub, move, or damage the gasket. Many manufacturers specifically instruct owners not to clean the gasket itself because it is important for maintaining a proper seal. The area around the gasket can generally be wiped carefully according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can You Use Oven Cleaner in a Self-Cleaning Oven?

Generally, do not assume that commercial oven cleaner is safe for a self-cleaning oven.

Some manufacturers specifically prohibit commercial oven cleaners in or around self-cleaning ovens because the chemicals can damage the oven’s special interior coating.

If you have a self-cleaning oven, use its self-clean or steam-clean function as directed, or manually clean it with a method approved for your particular model.

Tips for Cleaning the Oven with a Commercial Cleaner

For an oven that does not have a self-cleaning feature, a commercial oven cleaner can make removing baked-on grease much easier.

Oven cleaners are strong cleaning products, so read and follow the product label carefully.

When using a commercial oven cleaner:

• Wear protective gloves.
• Make sure the area is well ventilated.
• Follow the product’s directions for application and contact time.
• Keep the cleaner away from areas and components the manufacturer says not to treat.
• Do not mix oven cleaner with other cleaning products.
• Wipe or rinse away all cleaner residue as directed on the product label before using the oven.

Some oven cleaning products are designed to be used on a cold oven, while others have different application instructions. Don’t assume that all oven cleaners work the same way.

Tips for Cleaning the Oven Racks

Remove the oven racks and let them cool completely before cleaning.

For ordinary grease and food residue, soak the racks in warm, soapy water and use a non-abrasive scrubber or cloth to remove the buildup.

Rinse the racks thoroughly and dry them before putting them back into the oven.

Keep in mind that some oven racks can become discolored or harder to slide if they are exposed to a self-clean cycle. Other racks are specifically designed for self-cleaning. Check your oven’s instructions before leaving the racks inside during a self-clean cycle.

How to Clean the Oven Exterior

The outside of the oven is usually much easier to clean than the inside.

For most surfaces, wipe away spills with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner that is appropriate for the particular finish.

Be especially careful with stainless steel, painted surfaces, glass, and control panels because abrasive cleaners and aggressive scrubbing can damage the finish.

Cleaning the Cooktop

If your oven is part of a range, clean the cooktop according to its surface type.

For removable burner grates, warm soapy water can usually loosen grease and food residue. A smooth glass or ceramic cooktop requires a cleaning method designed for that surface.

Always allow hot surfaces to cool before cleaning them.

Don’t Forget the Oven Door

The oven door can collect grease and baked-on food just like the oven interior.

Clean the glass and other accessible surfaces using a method recommended for your oven. Avoid getting excess liquid into openings around the door, controls, or other electrical components.

The inside edge of the oven door may also need to be cleaned separately because some areas around the door are not exposed to the full cleaning temperature during a self-clean cycle.

Does Your Oven Have a Steam-Clean Feature?

Some newer ovens have a steam-clean cycle in addition to or instead of a high-temperature self-clean cycle.

Steam cleaning uses water and a lower temperature to loosen lighter food residue. It is not intended to replace the high-temperature self-clean cycle for heavy, baked-on buildup.

If your oven has a steam-clean feature, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the amount of water to use and how to wipe out the oven afterward.

Tips for Cleaning the Oven: Maintenance

You can make oven cleaning much easier by dealing with spills before they become baked-on messes.

A few simple habits can help:

• Wipe up spills once the oven has cooled enough to clean safely.
• Clean heavy grease and food residue before it builds up.
• Clean oven racks separately when needed.
• Don’t use foil or oven liners unless your manufacturer specifically allows them.
• Don’t use commercial oven cleaner in a self-cleaning oven unless the manufacturer specifically says it is safe.
• Keep the oven vent clear.
• Use the cleaning cycle provided by your oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The easiest way to clean an oven is to prevent heavy buildup whenever possible. Wipe up spills after the oven cools, clean the racks separately, and use the cleaning feature your oven was designed to use.

Whether you have a conventional oven, self-cleaning oven, or steam-clean oven, how you clean the oven matters. Using the wrong cleaner, foil, abrasive tool, or cleaning method can damage the oven instead of making it cleaner.

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