About Oven Cleaning

Keeping an oven clean is essential not only for the quality of the food, but also the operation of the oven. A clean oven cooks and bakes more thoroughly and evenly than one that is caked with food along the bottom. A dirty oven is also more likely to create smoke as the material on its surface burns in the heat, potentially causing danger to those around it. All ovens come with manufacturer's booklets that describe how to clean them individually. However, it is important to know the basics before attempting a cleaning.

Function

Before a cleaning plan can be decided, it is important to know the type of the oven in question. There are several main kinds of ovens: traditional ovens, self-cleaning ovens and textured ovens. It is also important to consider the heat source when creating a cleaning plan, as it will vary depending on if the oven is gas-powered or electric-powered.

Features

Traditional ovens are ovens that do not contain any special cleaning feature and need to be cleaned by hand. When spills occur inside the oven, it is important to wash them off with a slightly damp cloth while the oven is still warm. Paper towels are not recommended, as they may singe depending on the heat of the oven. If food has burned onto the oven surface it may be removed by using a knife or coarse brush to break it off. Unless they are specifically made for oven use, cleaning with wipes pre-soaked with cleaning liquid is also strongly discouraged, especially with gas grills, because it is uncertain how the heating elements and chemicals may react.

Effects

Self-cleaning ovens are created with a specific feature that heats the oven up to a high heat typically over a period of three hours to sear away and burn off any food residue. The remains of the food turn to ash that can then be easily picked up after the cycle is over. It is often recommended that the hood fan is turned on during the cycle and that a window is open to prevent the smoke by-product from setting off any smoke alarm or staining the ceiling and walls. Do not use oven cleaners with a self-cleaning oven.

Considerations

A textured oven features a special bottom surface that is designed to resist food buildup by searing it off as it cooks. After the oven has cooled, the ash residue can be removed like it was from the self-cleaning oven, with a moist towel. Due to the delicate surface of the textured oven, it is important not to use rough cleaning pads or oven cleaner.

Warning

In addition to these guidelines, it is important to always read the manufacturer's directions for cleaning an individual oven, as model configurations and feature may vary. Be sure to always be aware of the heating surfaces on the bottoms of the ovens and avoid getting any kind of cleaning material on them whenever possible, as it could compromise their heating ability or dangerously interact.