Cleaning an oven isn’t much fun. But it’s got to be done. If you open up your oven right now, you’ll probably see caked on grease, or dripping sauce from last nights dinner. And this doesn’t just look horrible. It can also make your food cook badly and taste a whole lot worse. Plus, it’s a fire hazard too. So, you’re going to want to make sure you get rid of that oven grime as soon as possible.

Here’s some quick tips to take your oven from stained to sparkling…

How to clean inside an oven

Here’s what you’ll need before we show you how to clean an oven:

• Rubber gloves.

• Oven cleaner.

• Heavy-duty scrub sponges/scour pads.

• All-purpose cleaner/degreaser.

Got all that? Now you’re good to go:

1. Take out the wire racks – this’ll make it easier to get at every nook and cranny in your oven.

2. Grab a wet sponge or rag – use it to remove any loose grease or bits of food that might be sitting about.

3. Spray in some oven cleaner – let it sit for a little bit after you’ve sprayed it. That way, it’ll have time to loosen any stuck-on debris.

4. Wash the wire racks in the sink – while the oven cleaner is tackling the grime, wash the racks in some warm, soapy water. If there’s some tough gunk that isn’t easily coming off, use a scouring pad or a scrub sponge. Or, if they’re covered in years’ worth of filth, you can soak them in some cleaner overnight. When you’re done, rinse them and give them some time to dry.

5. Clean up the muck – wipe away the loose grease and oven cleaner with a wet sponge. You should also rinse the inside with a bit of water.

6. Put back the wire racks and clean the glass window – don’t forget about the glass panel. Use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth (or non-scratch sponge) to clean up any splatters for a nice streak-free finish.

Self-cleaning ovens

You might be lucky and have a pyrolytic oven with a self-cleaning feature. This’ll tackle all the hard work for you. Just pop on the cleaning cycle, and it’ll incinerate any bits of food left in the oven. You can then wipe away the leftover ash with a damp cloth. It’s really that simple and easy. And you’ll spend less time doing chores and have more time for the fun stuff!

How often should you clean your oven?

That really depends on how often you use it. If you’re a bit of a baker or a wannabee chef who loves to make a mess, you’ll want to clean it every three months. But if you’re using the stove and microwave more instead, you can probably get away with doing it a couple of times a year.

Can I clean my oven with baking soda?

You sure can. Baking soda is a bit of an unsung kitchen superhero when it comes to cleaning. It can effectively break down stains and grease, which makes it ideal for oven cleaning. Plus, it’s non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals.

Here’s how to clean an oven with baking soda:

1. Get some supplies together – grab a bowl of hot, soapy water, a cloth or sponge, and your baking soda.

2. Remove the oven racks – take out the oven racks and pop them on the side. You’ll be cleaning those separately.

3. Make a baking soda paste – this is super easy. Mix about half a cup of baking soda with a couple of tablespoons of water to create a paste. You might have to tweak the amounts slightly to make sure you can actually spread it.

4. Add the paste – spread the baking soda paste all around the inside of your oven (make sure you avoid the heating parts). Then let it sit overnight for at least 12 hours.

5. Scrub away the grime – once it’s been 12 hours, use a sponge or a cloth to get rid of the baking soda and any loose grime. For those extra stubborn spots, you might have to put your back into it a bit.

6. Wipe clean – wipe down the inside with a damp cloth to remove any leftover bits.

7. Put the racks back in and switch on the oven – turn on your oven to 200°C for 15 minutes. This’ll burn off any remaining odours or residue.

How to keep your oven tidy between cleans

Keeping your oven relatively tidy between each deep clean will save you a lot of time and effort. Here’s a few handy tips:

1. Use oven liners – put oven liners or some aluminium foil at the bottom of your oven to catch spills and drips. Then replace them when they start to get filthy.

2. Clean any mess straight away – if you spill something while you’re cooking, wipe it up as soon as your oven cools down. After all, it’s easier to clean them while they’re still fresh. You’ll have to use way more elbow grease for baked-on stains!

3. Use a splash guard – making a pie or casserole for dinner? These can splatter everywhere. But if you use a splash guard (or cover them with foil) you’ll be able to stop that from happening.

4. Clean oven racks regularly – take out your oven racks and clean them separately. If you soak them in hot water and soap, it’ll break down any stubborn grease – making them easier to wipe down.

5. Avoid loads of grease – using a cooking spray or parchment paper and reduce the amount of grease build-up in your oven.

FAQ

Can you use steel wool to clean an oven?

We wouldn’t recommend it. It can scratch the surface inside your oven – especially if it’s coated with enamel or porcelain. These scratches will make any cleaning you do in the future harder and can also lead to rusting. So, put down the steel wool! You need to use something that’s non-abrasive instead, like a scrubbing sponge or a cloth.

How do I clean melted plastic from the oven?

Accidentally melted some plastic in the oven? Sounds like a sticky situation. But don’t panic – here’s how to sort it out:

1. Safety first – switch off your oven and let it cool down.

2. Scrape off the excess – use a plastic or wooden utensil to carefully scrape off as much melted plastic as you can. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the oven (metal utensils could damage it).

3. Freezing method – if you’re struggling with the plastic, put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and lay it on top of the melted plastic. This will harden it, making it way easier to remove it.

4. Gently remove – when the plastic has hardened, gently scrape it off.

5. Clean away the residue – still got some bits leftover? Make a baking soda paste (like above) and scrub the area then rinse with a damp cloth.

6. Oven test – turn your oven on at a low temperature – around 100°C – for a little bit. This’ll help you check that there’s no horrible smells lingering about.

Don’t fancy cleaning the oven yourself? We don’t blame you. Check out our full range of self-cleaning ovens. And if you need any advice on which one to go for, head over to ShopLive. Our in-store experts will be able to answer all of your burning questions.