Ovens are one of the appliances that tend to get really dirty, really fast. Grease splattered walls, incinerated food debris at the bottom and a glass window you can barely see through are some of the characteristics of an oven that desperately needs some TLC. Keeping your oven clean is much more than aesthetics. A clean oven is more efficient, makes food taste better and reduces the risk of germ contamination.
Cleaning your oven may seem a little overwhelming as it has so many parts and things to consider but, in this article, we’ll give you Hoover’s simple 10 step guide to make cleaning your oven quick and painless.
How often should you clean your oven?
How often you need to clean your oven will largely depend on how often you use it, but the general rule of thumb is every 3-6 months. The more upkeep you do on your oven, the easier the clean-up process will be.
How to clean the inside of an oven
Before we outline the 10 steps to cleaning an oven, it’s important to mention self-cleaning features, oven cleaners and DIY methods.
Many modern ovens have self-cleaning features. This means that they either use extreme heat or steam to clean themselves through self-cleaning cycles. Hoover ovens offer 3 possible cleaning features: Steam Clean, Catalytic Clean and Pyro Clean. Steam Clean uses high heat and steam to reduce grime and grease. Catalytic and Pyro Clean options break down additional grease while cooking. These self-cleaning options are the easiest and most efficient way to clean your oven, especially if you don’t want to deal with harsh oven cleaners or time-consuming DIY methods.
10 Steps for a spotless oven
Cleaning your oven doesn’t have to be a tiresome chore! Here are 10 easy steps to get it done quickly.
Step 1: Gather cleaning supplies
Once you’ve decided whether to use your oven’s self-cleaning feature, conventional oven cleaners or DIY cleaners, you’ll need to gather your supplies. Here are some tools and supplies you may need:
- Oven cleaner like Care+Protect’s Universal Oven, Grill and Barbecue Cleaning Spray
- Baking soda (DIY method)
- Distilled white vinegar (DIY method)
- Dish soap
- Water
- Glass cleaner
- Non-abrasive scrubbing sponge
- Microfibre cloths
- Rubber gloves (for optional hand protection
Step 2: Remove the wire racks
Now that we have our supplies and we’re ready to get started, the next step is always to remove the wire racks from the oven. Whether you will use the self-cleaning feature or not, you must remove the racks. The high temperatures of self-cleaning cycles can damage the finish on the racks and even warp them.
Step 3: Soak oven racks
Fill a soaking basin or sink with hot water and dish soap. Let the oven racks soak for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, scrub the racks with a scrubbing sponge or brush to remove any grease and grime. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
Hoover Tip: The Universal Oven Cleaning Spray can even be used on oven racks, baking trays and grills. The special formula eliminates burnt-on grease as well as leaves a bright shiny appearance.
Step 4: Remove any crumbs and food bits from inside the oven
Gently wipe away any visible crumbs and food bits from the inside of the oven using a paper towel or microfibre cloth. Removing loose debris will prevent strong burning odours when using the self-cleaning function and will make manual cleaning easier.
Step 5: Clean the inside of the oven
To clean the inside of the oven, run the self-cleaning cycle, if you have one, and be amazed at the results! If you don’t have a self-cleaning cycle, grab your oven cleaner or DIY ingredients and let’s get down to business.
Store-bought oven cleaner
Take your oven-cleaning to the next level by using professional products like the Universal Oven Cleaning Spray by Care+Protect. The best part is - it can be used to clean every part of your oven including the racks, the door and the knobs.
So, put on some rubber gloves to protect your hands, ventilate the area where you will be working and spray away! Spray the inside of the oven evenly. Let the cleaner sit for about 5 minutes (other cleaners will require a longer rest time to act). Using a damp microfibre cloth or sponge, wipe away dirt and grime. Scrub stubborn spots with a nonabrasive sponge or brush. Rinse thoroughly using a clean, damp microfibre cloth, making sure to wipe away any residue. Make cleaning your oven quick and hassle-free with the Universal Oven Cleaning Spray, a must-have for any oven-user.
DIY oven cleaner
The cleaning process with a DIY oven cleaner is much more time-consuming than with the Universal Oven Cleaning Spray and self-cleaning ovens. This is because natural ingredients need much longer to break down grease than extreme heat or specially-designed cleaning agents.
Prepare a cleaning paste by mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water to form a thick paste. Spread the paste over the inside of the oven, avoiding heating elements and focusing on greasy, stained areas. Let the paste sit for over 12 hours. Wipe away the excess residue with a damp microfibre cloth. Spray white vinegar on any remaining residue and wipe away with a clean microfibre cloth.
Step 6: Run a short cycle
If using a manual cleaning method, heat the oven to between 90-100° C for 15 minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture, chemical or baking soda residue. This will ensure that your oven is ready to be used again after cleaning.
Step 7: Replace oven racks
Be sure to let the oven completely cool down before opening or touching it. Sweep out any ash that collected at the bottom of the oven and replace the oven racks.
Step 8: Wipe down the oven door
To clean the oven door, you can use oven cleaner, baking soda paste and glass cleaner. Spray the cleaning solution onto the door and gently scrub with a microfibre cloth. Rinse thoroughly with water and finish by shining it with some diluted vinegar and a clean microfibre cloth.
Hoover Tip: Let the Universal Oven Cleaning Spray do the work for you. No extra shining or elbow grease is needed as this powerful cleaner removes fingerprints, streaks and stains.
Step 9: Remove dust and debris from hidden areas
Some ovens have a double glass door, where dust and debris can become trapped between the glass. To get to this hard to reach area, open the oven door and unscrew the interior glass panel, being very careful not to drop it or break it. Wipe both sides of each glass panel and then screw the interior glass panel back on.
Step 10: Clean oven knobs
We’re almost finished! Using an oven cleaner, soapy water or a diluted vinegar solution, spray the knobs of the oven and wipe away any grease or grime with a damp microfibre cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Hoover ovens
Cleaning your oven may seem daunting at first, but with Hoover’s simple 10-step guide, you can transform it from grimy to gleaming in no time. Regular oven maintenance not only keeps your appliance looking good but also enhances its performance, improves food quality, and minimises the risk of contamination. Hoover ovens are equipped with the most technologically advanced self-cleaning features that will make cleaning your oven a piece of cake.
