An oven that hasn't been cleaned in a while doesn't just look bad. Old grease smokes, makes food taste stale and can even become a fire risk. With the right cleaner and a bit of patience, you can get it back to near-new without hours of scrubbing.
What you'll need
- A heavy-duty grill and oven cleaner
- Long gloves (heavy-duty elbow-length gloves are ideal) and eye protection
- Steel wool or a heavy-duty scourer for racks
- Old newspaper or cloths for the floor, a bucket of warm water and cloths
Step 1: Prepare
Make sure the oven is off and cool, or just slightly warm if the product label recommends it. Remove the racks and trays. Open windows and switch on the extractor. Oven cleaners are strong alkaline products, so protect your skin and eyes.
Step 2: Apply and wait
Apply Grill and Oven Cleaner to the inside walls, floor and door glass, avoiding heating elements, the fan and any thermostat sensor. Then the important part: leave it for the contact time on the label. Most of the work happens while you wait, as the cleaner softens the carbon.
Step 3: Wipe, don't hack
Use a damp cloth or scourer to lift the softened grime. For stubborn spots, reapply rather than scraping hard, which can scratch enamel. Wipe several times with clean water to remove every trace of cleaner, then dry.
Step 4: Racks and trays
Soak racks in a bath or large tub of hot water with a degreasing cleaner, then scrub with steel wool. Rinse thoroughly before putting them back.
The glass door
Inside glass can be cleaned like the oven walls. Avoid harsh abrasives on the glass itself, which can leave fine scratches. A razor-style glass scraper held flat works well on hard spots.
Keep it clean for longer
- Use a baking tray under anything that bubbles or drips.
- Wipe spills once the oven has cooled, before they bake on again.
- Do a quick clean every month or two instead of a marathon once a year.
Stock up
Grill and Oven Cleaner, Steelwool and Heavy Duty Elbow Length Gloves are available from maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes for restaurants and caterers too.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Grill and Oven CleanerShop now →
Steelwool (15 Pack)Shop now →
Heavy Duty Elbow Length GlovesShop now →
