How to Clean Oven Grease

Oven grease builds up when spills or drainage occur when cooking. This can lead to a large mess or even a small kitchen fire because grease is a combustible material. Because of this fire risk, it's important to clean your over regularly. Though commercial cleaners are available, you can use plain old dish soap and water

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Degreasing cleaning product
• Plastic spatula
• Plastic gloves
• Sponge
• Cloth

1. Purchase a degreaser cleaning product. You could use dish soap such as Ajax or Joy. Certain countertop cleaners have degreasing properties as well, such as MarbleLife Granite Countertop Cleaner & Degreaser and Earth Friendly Orange Plus Complete. Most products are available from department or home improvement stores.

2. Turn off and cool down the oven. Open the door to cool faster. Examine the oven grease. If there is a large amount, go to Step 3. If the damage is minimal, move to Step 4.

3. Use the plastic spatula to scrape the oven. Remove all the grease that comes up easily. Throw the grease in the garbage.

4. Pour two drops of dish soap or spray the oven with four squirts. Cover the bottom, sides and burner. Let the degreasing cleaner soak into the oven for about 10 minutes.

5. Put on the plastic gloves. Saturate the sponge with hot water. Squeeze the extra water out.

6. Wipe the oven with the sponge. Start on the bottom of the oven, in the back. Bring the sponge forward in a row. Wring out and obtain more water. Repeat this process until the bottom, sides and burner are free of grease.

7. Use the cloth to rub off any leftover cleaner or grease that you may have missed.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning the oven is important at least once a week. Clean up any spills immediately when cool to avoid a large mess.
• Only use non-abrasive cleaners and supplies. Harsh chemicals can stay in the oven and may contaminate food. Abrasive cleaning supplies may scratch or damage the finish in the oven.