The Three Best Ways to Keep Your Oven Clean

Cleaning an oven regularly can improve its effectiveness and increase its lifespan. In addition, a clean oven makes better tasting food and decreases the risks of kitchen fires. This article will teach you how and when to clean your oven.

How often should people clean their ovens? Surprisingly, most home cooks don’t clean their ovens often. After all, the oven door stays closed most of the time. That keeps the inevitable splatters out of sight and mostly out of mind.

However, just because you have an oven doesn’t mean it needs to be cleaned. For example, if you only use the oven once a month or less, you don’t have to worry about scheduling a regular cleaning.

According to Martha Stewart, people who regularly use their ovens for baking and roasting should schedule a cleaning about every three months. On the other hand, if the oven only gets turned on for holiday feasts a few times a year, cooks should clean their oven only when they notice grime.

Some reasons to make a habit of regular oven cleaning include:

Almost every grocery store sells oven cleaners, but most of these products contain harsh chemicals that can emit odors into the home. Here are some ideas for better alternatives to chemical cleaning agents.

Most ovens come with an oven-cleaning feature that works by turning the heat on for several hours at an extremely high temperature. After the cycle ends, most of the dirt gets reduced to ashes, which should prove easy to wipe up with a damp towel.

At the same time, many people don’t like using this feature because it can heat the entire house and emit foul odors. With very dirty ovens, it might even risk starting a fire. Also, be sure to remove the racks before using this oven cycle.

Some ovens might also offer a steam cleaning feature. This feature involves pouring about one cup of water into the bottom of the oven, running it at a lower temperature than the other cleaning option, and waiting about half an hour until steam dissolves the mess. After that, a paper towel should prove sufficient to wipe away the grime.

Steam cleaning generally offers a more pleasant and effective option when the oven isn’t extremely filthy. Some people also suggest moving the racks before using this feature.

Martha Steward recommends mixing up a natural oven cleaner with common ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar. For an average oven, follow these steps:

Keeping the oven relatively clean can improve its performance and extend its lifespan. Beyond that chore, attending to minor issues promptly can keep them from growing into significant problems or even safety issues.

An Upsie extended warranty for ovens will protect appliance owners from unexpected repair bills while ensuring access to repairs from certified technicians. Upsie’s three-year and five-year protection plans include in-home service with no deductible or extra fees and claims reps by phone 24-7.

Even better, Upsie charges up to 70 percent less than other warranty companies. In addition, customers have up to 11 months after buying an oven to purchase a warranty online. Upsie also sells affordable, high-quality protection plans for other large appliances, like refrigerators and dishwashers.