How to Clean Your Oven

If you have a self-cleaning oven, don't think that running the feature every week will be enough to remove all the built-up grease. You still need to get your hands in there and scrub.

Be sure to choose a time when you don't need to use the kitchen. The self-cleaning cycle heats the oven up to 800 or 900 degrees F for anywhere between two and six hours. So make sure you're prepared by opening a window for ventilation.

Here's how to clean your self-cleaning oven:

1. Remove the oven racks and place them in the sink with warm soapy water to soak. 
2. Turn on the self-cleaning cycle of the oven. The oven door should lock securely when the cycle is initiated. If the lock doesn't engage properly, be sure to let your family know that the oven door is to REMAIN CLOSED until the cycle is complete and for an additional two hours to allow it to cool completely. 
3. Once the cleaning cycle finishes, allow the oven to cool for at least two hours before you open the oven door. 
4. Use a small brush to sweep out the light gray ashes that used to be the charred food and grime. Wipe down the oven with a damp rag. 
5. Scrub the window with a clean rag and either a misting of oven-safe kitchen cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. 
6. Scrub your oven racks before rinsing and drying them. Once dried, replace them in the oven.

Textured ovens 

Textured ovens have a special surface made of rough porcelain that is supposed to burn off food gradually as you continually use your oven. Textured ovens can also be referred to as continuous cleaning ovens. 

Because of their special porcelain coating, you should only need to wipe down the inside with a damp cloth when your oven is completely cooled. If your oven racks become grimy, soak them in your kitchen sink filled with dish soap and warm or hot water. Once they've soaked for an hour or two, scrub them clean, followed by a rinse and allow them to dry. 

When cleaning your textured oven, be sure to NEVER use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or oven cleaners. 

Non-self-cleaning ovens 

A regular, non-self-cleaning oven is just that - an oven with no self-cleaning feature. Before you have to deal with a year's worth of grime and caked-on food in your oven, take a few minutes after every use to wipe up any spills with a hot, wet cloth. Doing this each time will help prevent an extensive build up of charred food on your oven surfaces. 

You could cover the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil to catch any spills and then throw out the foil after each baking session--just make sure you're not covering any vents with the foil. 

For heavy duty grime in your regular oven, try using baking soda as an abrasive that will also soak up any grease while you clean. If you decide to use a cleanser, make sure to use a plastic scrubbing pad or brush and keep the kitchen properly ventilated while you clean. Those chemical cleansers can be harsh!

Built up grease and charred food can accumulate in your oven after months of use and turn into carbon, which will cause a strong burning smell when the oven is cooking your food. This carbon building will taint your food and become a fire hazard if left uncleaned for an extended time. Now that you know how to clean any type of oven, you'll be better prepared when you move or remodel your kitchen.