Gransnet forums

Chat

Tips on cleaning an oven

(32 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

gentleshores Fri 21-Feb-25 21:23:39

My tip is - don't bother! I know that sounds bad, but I can't even reach our oven any more and anything just burns off. I know it doesn't look clean but it smells ok! Obviously if something spilled I'd get someone to wipe it up.

I also now have a small tabletop oven which gets used more often, and that is stainless steel inside. I'm careful to keep it clean so it doesn't need cleaning though!

JaneJudge Thu 20-Feb-25 16:10:47

Missedout

*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).

I will bear this in mind when I have to buy a new oven!!

Esmay Thu 20-Feb-25 16:04:44

I hate cleaning the oven .
But when I do - I make a paste of Ariel and rub it on and then wash it off the next day .
That's how my mother cleaned her immaculate oven .

Lahlah65 Thu 20-Feb-25 15:29:19

…that should read use Overmate (paint on gel cleaner)

Lahlah65 Thu 20-Feb-25 15:27:39

I put the shelves in the dishwasher every couple of weeks and Ovenmate for the top and bottom. If it’s got very bad, I leave it overnight but mostly, a couple of hours will do it.
It’s a fag, but I think of the ‘hourly’ rate I am paying myself but not getting someone in. And enjoy the smug feeling of opening a lovely clean oven 😉

Allira Thu 20-Feb-25 15:27:06

The best advice is to clean it regularly, perhaps wipe it out every time it's used.

Of course, I ignored my own advice and used Oven Pride very occasionally (ok but very strong) then resorted to having it professionally cleaned.
Now I have a new oven I'm determined it's going to stay clean so will buy an Air Fryer to use instead. 😁

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).

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...!

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.

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. 😂

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.