How to Clean Your Oven and Racks for a Sparkling Finish
A clean oven is not just about aesthetics; it forms the basis of efficiency, safety, and ensures better quality in whatever you cook. Be it a gas or an electric oven; a periodic deep cleaning will save you from the mess of grease and burnt stains that could make your food taste different from what it should. In this article, you will learn how to clean your oven best through easy, effective, natural cleaning solutions that go friendly with the environment. Let's begin with some oven cleaning tips!
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Why It's Important to Keep Your Oven Clean
A dirty oven may cause smoke, bad smells, and even fire hazards. What's more, the burnt food residue will give unpleasant flavor to your dishes and reduce your oven efficiency. Not to mention that regular oven maintenance prolongs the life of your appliance and makes cooking much safer and more pleasant. So, let's take a closer look at the best methods for oven cleaning, including oven racks and doors.
What You Will Need
You are not compelled to make use of harsh chemicals to give your oven that sparkling finish. The following are what you will need to get started.
Baking soda
Vinegar
Lemon
Warm water
Soft sponge or cloth
Scraper-for stubborn stains
These commonly available household items will collectively help in the preparation of do-it-yourself oven cleaning solutions that happen to be very natural as well as very effective.
Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Your Oven
Preparation: Empty the Oven and Remove Removable Items
First, remove everything from your oven, including oven racks, and also any trays or thermometers inside. This way, you have room for both an interior clean and cleaning oven accessories. Place the oven racks in a sink or tub filled with hot water and a dash of vinegar or dish soap.
Natural Cleaner Prep: Make a Baking Soda Paste
Mix ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water until you get a thick paste. This natural oven cleaner is great for breaking down grime and burnt-on food without any toxic fumes.
Deep Cleaning: Coat the interior of your oven with baking soda paste.
Now, spread the baking soda paste all over the interior of your oven, excluding the heating elements. Give particular attention to areas that have burnt stains and grease. When cleaning either an electric oven or a gas oven, make sure the bottom and sides are well-covered. Let it overnight to allow it to loosen the stubborn grime.
Let It Work Overnight and Wipe the Oven Clean
The following day, the baking soda paste should be wiped off with a wet sponge. You can see how easily the grime is removed. You will also want a scraper for tough spots, however use it gently so you won't scratch up the surface of the oven.
Final Touches: Cleaning Residue with Vinegar and Replacing the Racks
Spray vinegar into your oven to remove any remaining residue. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the baking soda and will fizz, helping to bring off the remaining grease. Take a clean cloth and start wiping down the surfaces. Don't forget about the oven door as grease and food spills quite often settle on it. Put the oven racks and all the other removable stuff back inside once your oven is well cleaned.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Way
One of the most classic ways is baking soda and vinegar. Being natural, non-toxic, and very effective against the burnt spots in your oven, it is also one of the best homemade oven cleaners. Besides that, this helps you avoid using harmful chemicals so that the air in your kitchen stays fresh and healthy. The baking soda's abrasive properties mixed with vinegar's acid nature, makes the perfect mix for a deep clean.
Alternative: Using Eco-Friendly Oven Cleaners
If you don't have quite so much time to devote to cleaning and would rather use a ready-made solution, there are plenty of eco-friendly oven cleaners available to buy. These cleaners work well but are soft on your oven. Opt for cleaners made from plant-based materials and those that avoid using harsh chemicals in their formulation.
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Oven
Following are some tips to maintain your oven clean:
Wipe spills immediately: The longer grease and food has to set in your oven, the more difficult it is to remove them.
Place liners inside the oven: Just place a liner in the bottom of your oven to catch spills, that makes cleaning much easier in the future.
Self-cleaning oven: If it is the self-cleaning type oven, then follow instructions by the manufacturer. In this case, the oven reaches a very high temperature and food residue inside the oven gets turned into ashes, which can be easily wiped off.
Regular cleaning: Clean your oven and racks at least every three months to avoid heavy build-up.
By following these various hacks in oven cleaning and using natural methods, such as baking soda and vinegar, you will be guaranteed that your oven is in good condition. Be it an electric or gas oven; these tips will make your appliance shine again and ready for your next culinary genius.
Image Credit: pexels.com, pinterest.com
