Our kitchen is one area of the house that usually gets cleaned on a daily basis. We clean the counter after we’re finished preparing food, we clean the stovetop after we’re finished cooking a meal, and we clean the sink after we’re finished washing dishes. However, there is one thing that we often neglect to clean for weeks, even months, even months at a time–our oven. The oven is one of the most commonly used kitchen appliances…and one of the least commonly cleaned.
Even though we use the oven often, many of us skip cleaning it after meals. Sometimes it is because we feel it is unnecessary, sometimes it is because we are too lazy, and sometimes it is because we just don’t know what products are safe to use inside our own oven. If you are at the point where it is time to clean your own oven but you don’t know how to go about it, then you have come to the right place. This article will describe how to clean your oven so that you can finally do the job that we all seem to forget so easily!
The importance of oven cleaning is undeniable. If completely ignored, dirt buildup can be a problem. Getting rid of all the grime can be significantly harder, plus the danger here is that your food’s taste can be affected. Plus excessive dirt can cause damage to the appliance.
Of course, you can purchase oven cleaning agents and other equipment on the market. Another idea is for you to hire professional oven cleaners in your area. Commercial cleaning services can help clean your appliance as you seek their assistance. An inexpensive and natural way to get the job done is to use baking soda and vinegar.
1) To get started, you should remove and set aside oven racks, oven thermometer, pizza stone, and anything else in your oven.’
2) In a small bowl, mix a half-cup of baking soda with several tablespoons of water. Try adding more soda or water until you get a paste-like substance.
3) Using gloves, spread the paste on the oven’s interior, focusing on the dirtiest parts and corners. Be sure, however, not to touch the heating element to be safe. You will notice that the paste will start to look brownish (as in cleaning a cast iron skillet). Leave it for about half a day (or at least overnight). In the meantime, you can clean the oven racks.
4) After waiting for it for 12 hours or over night, wipe out the oven using a damp cloth. You may use either a plastic or a silicone spatula for scraping off some of the paste whenever necessary.
5) Spray some vinegar on the oven’s interior. The baking soda residue and the vinegar will combine to produce a foamy substance.
6) Wipe away the residue with a damp cloth and repeat the process until all the baking soda and vinegar is gone.
7) Put the oven racks back and use your oven as normal.