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Top tips to get your oven clean
Remember back when your oven was brand spanking new? Or maybe you’ve never had a new oven, but it was pretty sparkling clean when you moved in? These days though, it might be looking a bit worse for wear. Don’t worry - you’re not alone! Ovens can get messy and cleaning them generally isn’t high on anyone’s favourite task. Just the thought of it can be daunting, especially when you see a big old greasy mess when you open the door. No doubt about it – after all those roast chickens, creamy casseroles and melty cheese creations you’ve been whipping up, your oven can look like a horrifying culinary crime scene.
But don’t stress - we’ve searched high and low to find the best ways to clean that dirty oven of yours. Whether you have a convection oven or a gas oven, here are our top tips:
Switch it off and cool it down
Before you start to clean your oven - safety first. Make sure that it’s switched off and unplugged. If you just finished using it, let it cool down first. You definitely want to avoid getting any burns on your hands or arms, so don’t start your cleaning until the heat dissipates.
Remove and soak the oven racks
First, so that nothing gets in your way, remove the oven racks (and everything else that’s removable) before you start work on the oven itself. Soak them with some dishwashing liquid and very hot water – at least for a few hours, but it’s even better to leave them to soak overnight. Scrub with a scouring pad then rinse off and dry.
Remove any obvious food bits
Now that the oven racks are removed, it's on to the cleaning process. Next, remove those sticky or burnt food bits. Use an old cloth or paper towel to wipe the inside of your oven. Start from the roof, then the walls and the base last. Keep a rubbish bag handy so you can throw those nasty bits straight into it. Try to remove as much as you can at this stage, so you will have less to remove later.
The magic ingredient - baking soda!
Baking soda is your magic helper when it comes to taking the hard work out of cleaning your oven. It’s not only chemical-free - it’s also cheap! Simply form a paste by mixing ¾ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Make sure you put on a pair of rubber gloves and then spread the paste evenly all over your oven. You can use a dry cloth or a clean paint brush to spread the paste, or even use your gloved hands. Try to avoid any of the heating parts and the holes that your racks sit in.
Let the paste sit overnight then wipe the oven with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove the paste and dirt in the morning. You can also spray some white vinegar inside it to remove any remaining baking soda and for added clean and shine.
Clean the oven glass
Here’s the satisfying part – cleaning your oven glass. Use the same paste of baking soda and water you used to clean the inside of your oven to clean your oven glass. Apply it evenly, let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, and then wipe it with a clean cloth or paper towel. You’ll be surprised how shiny the oven window will become afterwards.
Keep it in good shape
Keeping your oven in good shape makes things a lot easier in the long run so it’s a good idea to give it a good wipe over frequently. Your oven door is a good indicator of how dirty your oven’s getting, so if you clean it out every few weeks, you’ll get through the task quickly. Try cleaning just with a spray of white vinegar or use the baking soda paste for 20 or 30 minutes before wiping clean.
Now is the time to clean your oven!
If the sight of your dirty oven is stopping you from cooking your family some delicious meals, then now is the best time to clean your oven so it looks all shiny and new again. Use our tips to remove the grease without having to use too much elbow grease. Or, on the other hand, if your oven is on its' last legs, maybe it’s time to splash out and buy yourself a new one. Don’t worry if your budget won’t quite stretch that far - we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours – so you could be cooking up a storm in your new oven in next to no time!