How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven

How to clean a self cleaning oven and how to clean a non-self cleaning oven naturally

When we talk about how to clean an oven, we first need to clarify if we are talking about how to clean a self cleaning oven or a non-self cleaning oven.

How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven

Ovens that include a self-cleaner function (also called the pyrolytic cleaning method) include an enamel coating that can be worn down or damaged if scrubbed with an abrasive cleaner.

How to Use an Oven Self Cleaner

Instead of using abrasive cleaners on the enamel inside of a self-cleaning oven, it’s better to actually utilize the self-cleaning mechanism.

  1. Remove all of the parts inside of your oven (metal shelves or drawer)
  2. Use a silicon scraper to remove any caked on food from the sides and the bottom of your oven and wipe it down with a damp cloth
  3. Open all of the kitchen windows to make sure the space is well ventilated then turn on the self cleaner
  4. The self cleaner will likely run for 3-4 hours, but once that process is complete and your oven is cool, give it a final wipe-down with a soft sponge and soap and water

How to Clean Oven Racks

  1. Use a sponge with soap and water
  2. For stubborn burn marks, use baking soda for extra scrubbing power

How to Deep Clean Oven Glass

  1. Sprinkle baking soda
  2. Spray with water (not too much! Don’t want any drips to fall outside of the glass barrier or you’ll have drip marks)
  3. Allow it to sit for a number of hours (overnight is a good idea!)
  4. Wipe it away with a damp sponge
  5. Spray lingering residue with vinegar or a 1-1 ratio of vinegar and water then wipe with a microfiber cloth

How to Clean a Non-Self Cleaning Oven Naturally

If your oven doesn’t happen to include a self cleaning option, here is another way to get it clean.

  2. Create a paste using baking soda + water
  3. With a sponge, scrub the baking soda paste all over the inside of the oven glass
  4. Allow the baking soda to sit in the oven overnight if possible
  5. In the morning, use a sponge + water to wipe up the dried baking soda

How often should you clean your oven?

How often to clean your oven truly depends on how often you cook and what types of food you’re baking.

Pay attention – if you start noticing burnt food building up or grease on the window then it’s probably time to clean.

For avid cooks this could be 4 times a year, for others (like myself) maybe only once or twice a year.

What time of year is best to clean your oven?

If you are using the self cleaner mechanism then I recommend cleaning your oven once in the fall (as preparation for holiday cooking!) and once again in the spring. The weather during these times of year is cool so a enduring a super hot oven for a few hours won’t be miserable. At the same time, it isn’t SO cold in the fall/spring that you can’t open windows and air out or ventilate the kitchen as your oven is cleaning itself.

If your oven doesn’t have a self cleaning option, then you could choose any time of year to clean!

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Cleaning checklist



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