Oven cleaning can be a yawn for even the cleaner ones among us. Oven cleaning is very essential as cleaner ovens cook food more thoroughly and evenly. Another reason is an un-clean oven can create smoke. Smoke is caused from the product residue left on the surface of the oven, and when heated it will burn. The smoke from a dirty oven creates itchy or sore eyes, and potentially could be quite harmful.
But not to fear, if an oven is cleaned correctly and effectively it will cook properly, and last a whole lot longer.
Each oven is different there are 3 main types of oven, Traditional, Self Clean and Textured. Ovens are generally supplied with a user guide, telling you the proper way in which to clean your oven, but it’s always nice to know the basics right?
To prevent having to endure cleaning your oven every other day. Try the following; by doing simple things like, wiping spills up as soon as they happen (the dryer they are the harder they are to lift). For this you can use damp cloths, sponges and a basic supermarket cleaner. Another option would be to line your oven with aluminium foil when cooking.
What you will need:
Manufacturer Instructions
Damp Cloth
Mild Detergents
Non- self clean / oven cleaner
Non- self/ aluminium foil
Non- self/ plastic brush or scrub pad
Self Clean ovens: you must remove all oven racks from the oven in order to clean thoroughly. Set your oven to self clean, and wait a few hours. After this you must wipe away the residue inside your oven, with a damp cloth or sponge. Whilst your oven is self-cleaning, you can work on those oven racks. Use a wool detergent pad to remove the grime and dirt. You can use a basic window cleaning product to clean the chrome or outside glass.
Traditional (not a self-clean): you need to wear some rubber gloves for this job, and the longer the better as the chemicals can be harmful. You need to purchase an oven cleaner, and also make sure you can ventilate the room as much as possible, as the chemical cleaners give off strong and potentially harmful fumes.
Every cleaning product is different, so the cleaning duration will differ in time scales. Times can range as follows; leave overnight, several hours or two hours.
When it comes to removing the cleaning product after the completed standing time, be prepared for a lot of scrubbing and rinsing. You need to make sure you remove all of the chemicals as it they be dangerous.
Textured ovens are the same as traditional, although they feature a special bottom surface, there’re designed to stop food build up by searing it as it cooks. After the oven has cooled back down, the ash can be removed with a moist towel. But be careful this oven is delicate so don’t use rough pads or rough scrubbing on it.
Maybe you’re a bit dubious of using a harsh cleaner? or its too cold to ventilate the room ? You can use a simple home formula to replace the harsh chemicals. Oven cleaners can be made from white vinegar and baking soda. Don’t worry it really is just as effective.
Lightly moisten the inside of your oven with water. Then apply a thick layer so baking soda, don’t be stingy, apply a thick amount. Apply the baking soda and let it sit for about three hours. After the three hours, spray the entire oven with white vinegar (you can use a old spray bottle). The fizz will help to get rid of stuck on mess. Then allow sitting for another few hours, after this you can then remove with sponge and water. Walla a sparkling clean oven!
If this is all a bit much, or you just don’t fancy it this weekend, you can get a professional in to deep clean your oven, it will cost you somewhere between £25 to £ 120 pounds. This is a good idea after Christmas and Boxing Day.
So whether your oven enquires natural materials and elbow grease or a pretty scary chemical attack, it’s essential for keeping your oven working in top-tip condition.