How to Clean an Oven

Before cleaning your oven, figure out which method below works best for you.

• If your oven doesn’t come with a self-cleaning feature, or you’d rather not have the heat, smoke or smell, you can get a brilliant shine using a little muscle and a store-bought or a DIY oven cleaning solution.
• If your freestanding or wall oven is a newer model, it probably has a self-cleaning feature. Most self-cleaning ovens use extremely high heat to incinerate baked-on grease residue and food spills. Some ovens offer a steam cleaning feature. They use hot steam to dissolve oven grime, so you can easily wipe it off with a sponge.
  

Tip: Always follow your appliance maker's recommendations about using oven cleaners. Some finishes and chemicals don't mix.

Baked-on grease and grime can be difficult to get out of any oven, even those with a self-cleaning feature. If you need more cleaning power, here’s how to clean an oven using three common kitchen ingredients: baking soda, water and vinegar.

• Mix about 1/2 cup of baking soda with just enough water to make a spreadable paste.
• Add a little warm water at a time to the baking soda until you get the right consistency. You may have to make more paste depending on the size of your oven.
• Pour equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle.

Read on for ways to use this DIY cleaning solution to clean the inside and outside of your oven.

Quick-and-easy, the self-cleaning method turns your oven grime to ash using extremely high temperatures. Before you begin self-cleaning your oven:

• If necessary, take out pans and bakeware in oven.
• Remove any foil that may be placed on the oven’s bottom to catch spills.
• Take out the racks to prevent them from possibly warping or losing their finish.
• Lock the oven door and set your oven’s self-cleaning feature.
• While your oven is cleaning, you may notice a strong odor or burning smell. This is perfectly normal. Open a window to air the room out.
• Once the oven has completely cooled, sweep up the leftover ash and wipe down the oven's interior with a damp sponge or cloth.

Self-cleaning your oven can take up to four hours of extreme heat and its outside surfaces can become hot.

Safety Tip: To avoid possible injuries, keep any children or pets away from the oven door or range top.

If you don't have or want to use the self-cleaning feature, below are two ways to deep clean your oven. Start by removing any pans or racks.

• Spray a store-bought oven cleaner around the inside of the oven. Make sure to thoroughly coat any burnt food or other stains. Let the cleaner sit according to the manufacturer's instructions and wipe clean.
• Use the DIY solution in Step 2. Apply the paste inside the oven using a new or very clean paintbrush. Generously spray the vinegar solution on the paste. The vinegar will cause the baking soda to foam and dissolve the grime. Let the baking soda and vinegar work at least 12 hours before you wipe it out with a clean cloth and clear water. Overnight is best. Repeat if necessary.

There are two ways to clean your oven's interior glass door.

• Coat the window with all-purpose cleaner or a store-bought oven spray cleaner. (Consult your oven's manual before using oven cleaner or other harsh chemicals inside your oven.) Follow the package directions concerning how long to let the cleaner sit. Wipe and rinse thoroughly with a damp cloth or sponge.
• Spray the DIY oven cleaning solution in Step 2 around your oven. Let it sit on the door. Scrub it off with a soft brush and a little dish soap. Rinse with a damp cloth or sponge.

Tip: Carefully scrape away pesky burn marks and food debris with a safety razor blade.

• Soak your oven racks in hot water and a grease-fighting dish soap. It will help loosen the greasy residue and make them easier to clean.
• Scrub them with a scouring pad or heavy-duty sponge.
• If your racks are made of stainless steel, you can apply the baking soda paste to deal with stubborn spots. Baking soda can interact negatively with aluminum, so do not use it if your racks are made of that metal.
• Once your racks are clean, slide them back into the oven.

Tip: Cleaning your oven is a great time to deep clean the broiler pan that came with it. Soak it in the same soapy solution and scrub it also.

Besides the usual spills and splatters from everyday cooking, the outside of your oven door can be covered in a layer of greasy residue. Wash it using a soft cloth and hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Polish with a paper towel and a spritz of glass cleaner.

Tip: Add real shine to your stainless steel appliance with a stainless steel cleaner specially made for its finish.

How often you deep clean your oven depends on how often you use it. If you or your family cook a lot, give your oven a deep clean every 3 months or so. If you rarely cook a big meal outside of a major holiday, then deep cleaning your oven twice a year is more than adequate.

However, even a little build-up and burnt food in your oven can affect the taste of your food. Plan on doing a light clean to your oven once a month to prevent build-up and hard to remove baked-on residue. There are several efficient ways to do a light clean between deep cleanings:

• Make your own steam-cleaning oven. Fill an oven-proof pan half-way with 2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar. Place the pan in the middle of the rack. Set your oven temperature somewhere between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave your pan in the oven for about 30 minutes or until all the water evaporates. When the oven cools, wipe it out with a damp sponge. Repeat if necessary.
• Spray your oven with a mixture of lemon juice and water. The acid in lemons can cut through grease and make it easier to clean off. Use a scrub brush to remove any leftover grime. Rinse your oven well with clear water.