Gransnet forums

Chat

Tips on cleaning an oven

(31 Posts)
JaneJudge Wed 19-Feb-25 11:36:27

I normally pay someone fwiw but as I have time off I decided to tackle it myself. I used elbow grease oven cleaner and it's worked on the door and created a lot of black liquid inside the oven but the oven itself is still tacky. Do I just keep reapplying until it becomes clean again? or shall i just pay someone

Oreo Wed 19-Feb-25 11:41:09

The best tip on cleaning an oven is to get so someone else to do it😁

Aldom Wed 19-Feb-25 11:42:58

I'm not sure where I read this, possibly on GN recently. Someone reported their oven catching fire after cleaning using a similar product to the one you have used. The fire officer told them the residual oven cleaner was as responsible as it had ignited when the oven was next used.
So, whatever you do, make certain there's no residue.
Good luck.

Boz Wed 19-Feb-25 11:46:04

The pros use heavy duty cleaner and a special bucket for soaking. Don't bother.
I now rarely used a big oven; the air-fryer baskets go through the dishwasher so job done.

Smileless2012 Wed 19-Feb-25 11:47:45

Baking powder mixed into a paste with white vinegar and left for about an hour before wiping off is surprisingly effective JaneJudge.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 19-Feb-25 11:49:03

Sounds a bit ott but it takes a maximum 10 mins.

I clean my oven every week. Easiest thing in the world. It is 6 ? Years old and like brand new.

Little and often

Tizliz Wed 19-Feb-25 12:04:07

Oreo

The best tip on cleaning an oven is to get so someone else to do it😁

Very disappointed with the person who cleaned mine. Took him half the time he said, couldn’t get the fan off, didn’t fit one of the glass panels on the door properly so it steams up, and most annoying didn’t clean the ‘roof’ of the oven which is the bit I can’t reach. Wish I hadn’t paid him. And he had the cheek to show my oven on his Facebook page without asking me.

Pantglas2 Wed 19-Feb-25 12:04:44

I'm another who wipes it down with a damp cloth after every use which is around once a week. Why make a one minute task into a mornings work?

BigBertha1 Wed 19-Feb-25 12:05:32

We managed to rot an element on a range cooker by using Mr.Muscle once!

Gin Wed 19-Feb-25 12:14:20

I have not tried this but a tip given the other day was to turn the oven on to 200C, put a shallow roasting pan in the oven, fill it with boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Turn off oven and when cool enough to do so wipe off all the residue loosened by the steam. I will give it a try this week end.

henetha Wed 19-Feb-25 12:16:02

I think its a good idea to have some sort of lining for the floor of the over, and then just change it now and then.

henetha Wed 19-Feb-25 12:16:38

OVEN not over,.. stupid typos.... grin

M0nica Wed 19-Feb-25 12:43:24

Self cleaning sides and a silicone sheet on the bottom that you rinse under the tap every couple of weeks.

jusnoneed Wed 19-Feb-25 13:30:09

I keep a metal roasting tray in the bottom of my oven, catches any spills and bits. Self cleaning sides.
I wipe over the inside with neat washing up liquid and then clean water when the mood takes me. Shelves into the sink and using a wire scourer for the tough bits. Cleaning the glass on the doors is the worst job, a gentle scour after leaving to soak using the washing up liquid and a quick rinse with hot water before putting them back in.

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 19-Feb-25 14:14:08

I agree with M0nica and henetha about the use of a removable silicon sheet on the oven base. I wipe mine after each use - a very easy job.
I could lower the tone, as a less- than- enthusiastic cook, by saying that if you never turn the oven on, you never have to clean it ( 😏 sorry!)

henetha Wed 19-Feb-25 19:31:34

Well, I am using mine a lot less since I had an air fryer. They are a lot easier to clean too.

Madmeg Wed 19-Feb-25 19:48:16

The instructions for my oven are clear that you should put NOTHING on the bottom.

Curlywhirly Wed 19-Feb-25 19:51:31

I use a silicone sheet for the base of the oven, so spills are easier cleaned off. The oven door and the rest of the oven I clean with Cif and a scouring sponge (non-scratchy). The oven racks I place in the dishwasher; removing them before the drying cycle. I then place them in soapy water and use a wire scourer to remove any remaining baked on stains, which just slide off with very little effort. I do agree with others on this thread, wipe down the oven every week and it rarely will need a very thorough clean.

woodenspoon Wed 19-Feb-25 19:54:24

I had my oven cleaned professionally and the man offered to supply a liner which is easily removed and washed. It works. My oven is cleaned every six months by a firm. Worth every penny to me.

Missedout Thu 20-Feb-25 00:00:08

Every few weeks my oven tells me it needs cleaning.

I press a button.

When the oven is cool, I wipe away the white powder deposit.

Oven is clean.

JaneJudge Thu 20-Feb-25 08:55:50

Missedout

Every few weeks my oven tells me it needs cleaning.

I press a button.

When the oven is cool, I wipe away the white powder deposit.

Oven is clean.

What kind of oven is it?

Witzend Thu 20-Feb-25 09:13:43

A colleagues sister got so fed up with the state of her oven, she just bought a new one. 😂

nanna8 Thu 20-Feb-25 09:46:05

I tend to only notice when it is obvious and then it is a horrible job. I use that barbecue spray on it. I do keep the stainless steel shelves clean because that is easy enough with soap pads. I a using the air fryer more,too.

keepingquiet Thu 20-Feb-25 09:55:55

I inherited my oven when I moved in. It was on its last legs then and that was 7 years ago! I've never cleaned it and I'm treating myself to a new one soon.
These tips are useful for me to remember when I get the new one. I intend to keep it clean...!

Missedout Thu 20-Feb-25 15:08:29

JaneJudge, my oven is an AEG Competence oven. It's at least 10 years old and I've never had any problems with it. It is pyrolytic - it uses a high temperature to turn any residue to ash. I only use the setting when it asks to be cleaned every couple of months or so. It was expensive at the time but has needed no replacement parts or repairs (and still looks clean).