So the day has come to tackle the oven. This is often an appliance easy to overlook. You open the door and wow, there is baked on food, fat, slime and maybe even mould. Yes, spills and drips happen to everyone. It looks like a serious health hazard.
Where do you start the big clean up?
Check whether the oven is a self-cleaning oven and follow any instructions carefully. Make sure the room is ventilated well and wipe out after the cycle. Now, before you reach for the all-purpose spray-on cleaner, check first if this oven can be cleaned with this spray. Will the ingredients harm the oven internal surfaces? Many modern oven manufacturers advise against using these products. Only use these products when you are certain they will not damage the internal surface.
Pull out any trays or internal shelving if you can place in hot soapy water in a bath to soak. Put a bowl of hot water in the oven and turn on the oven to warm. Leave for approx 15 minutes then turn off. The hot water steam will help loosen any baked on scum to make it easier to clean. Now remove the bowl and turn off the oven at the wall. Pull the plug if you can. Remember water and electricity do not mix.
Some ovens are designed so you can remove the door for cleaning. Check yours out; if it can be removed it certainly makes it easier to get into the oven to clean. Put your gloves on and put hot water with dish washing liquid into the kitchen sink. Now take a cloth and wipe over the inside of the oven and rinse out the cloth often in the sink. It is amazing what comes off just doing this!
Any spills of baked-on food left in the oven can be removed by applying a paste made up of baking soda and water. Apply to the area and leave for approximately one hour. Then wipe out. If some is still present repeat process till clear. Now wipe over the inside of the oven with hot soapy water till it is clean.
Take the oven trays out of the bath and wash in the kitchen sink. Any areas of baked on fat sometimes needs to be gently scrubbed as well. Wash the door using the hot soapy water and the pot mitt to remove any baked on fat splashes especially on the glass window. Scrub gently. Now wipe over till clean.
Leave the oven open to dry completely before turning back on.
Now you will have to clean the kitchen floor after finishing.
Well done. Take a breather. Now the oven is clean try to it clean up spills and splashes after every use.
Reprinted with permission.
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