Judy asked: How do I clean baked on grease from inside of an aluminum toaster oven? Our aluminum toaster oven has baked on grease all over the inside. I would like to clean it somehow. Please advise. I bought oven cleaner, but it said it was not for use on aluminum. Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.
Food splatters and general use can lead to a layer of grease build-up on the surface of your toaster oven quickly. Removing this burnt on layer is possible. The longer the grease has been sitting, the more work it will be to remove. Regular cleanings will help make the removal process quick and painless. Here are some simple and easy cleaning steps to take the grease off.
You Will Need:
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Green scrubbing pads
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- White vinegar
- Soft cloths
- Small bowl
- Plenty of elbow grease for old grease stains
Steps to Remove the Burnt-On Grease:
- Begin by unplugging the toaster oven. It is never safe to clean an appliance that is still plugged in.
- Moisten a soft cloth with warm water (soap can also be added) and wipe down the interior to remove any loose food debris.
- Next, mix baking soda with water to make a paste in a small bowl. It should be thicker than toothpaste. If you find it’s too dry and “crumbles” when you apply it, simply add a little more water.
- Spread the baking soda paste onto the surfaces that are covered with grease. If the stains are bad, you may want to let it set for a few minutes.
- Next, moisten a green scrubbing pad with water. Scrub the surfaces with the baking soda and pad. The baking soda is a mild abrasive that will help to remove the baked on grease without damaging the aluminum surface.
- For added cleaning power, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser in place of the green scrubbing pad.
- Continue scrubbing until the grease is removed. Apply more baking soda paste as needed. It is helpful to keep a thin layer of paste present while cleaning.
- If the grease is particularly stubborn, pour some white vinegar on the area and let it sit for several minutes, then scrub the area. If the surface is vertical, soak a paper towel with the white vinegar then apply the paper towel over the surface.
- Once the grease is removed, clean the entire interior with a soft cloth moistened with soapy water.
- Remove any baking soda or loosened grease particles.
- Allow the interior to dry completely before resuming use.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Baking soda can also be used to clean non-stick cookware and aluminum bakeware.
- Be careful when cleaning with chemicals on bakeware. Clean it well afterwards to avoid putting traces of chemicals into your food.
- There are also some chemical products that have been found effective in removing the burnt on grease. Grease Lightning, Comet (this is abrasive, use with caution), Dawn Power Dissolver and Carbon Kleen may be effective in removing the grease. Be sure to wash and rinse the cleaned area well after use to remove any traces of chemicals.
- Though SOS pads and steel wool are sometimes used, they can scratch the surface of aluminum. Often, the abrasive surface of the pads is excessive for cleaning aluminum and may do more harm than good.
- The same methods can be used to clean the glass door as well. For more specific information on this, see the guide How to Clean Grease Buildup from a Glass Oven Door.