How to Clean an Oven Range

No matter how often you use your oven range or how well you look after it, there will come a time when it needs to be deep-cleaned. It isn't pleasant, but to ensure your oven performs at peak efficiency for many more years, roll up your sleeves and follow these steps.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl or plastic tub
• Hot, soapy water
• Soft cleaning pads
• Mild abrasive cleaner or baking soda
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Scouring pads
• Clean cloth
• Vinegar
• Spatula
• Ammonia
• Glass bowl
• Sponge
• 5-gallon bucket
• Rubber gloves

1. Remove the control knobs and place them in a bowl or tub of hot, soapy water. Allow the knobs to soak for 2 to 3 hours; then set them in a sunny location to air dry.

2. Clean the exterior surface with soap and hot water and a soft pad. Stubborn stains may require a mild abrasive cleaner. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and spread it over the soiled areas. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes and then gently scrub with a rough cloth. You also can use isopropyl alcohol to refresh discolored areas.

3. Remove the oven racks and douse them with hot water in a sink. Sprinkle abrasive cleanser on the racks and scrub them lightly with a cleaning pad. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

4. Wipe down the interior of the range, removing crumbs and loose debris. Use vinegar on areas where food is baked on and difficult to remove. Sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar and wait for the bubbling to stop. Using a spatula or turner, scrape the loosened food from the bottom of the stove. Wash with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly with warm water before drying with a clean cloth. Or smear the baking soda paste on the stains and leave overnight. Scrub the paste away with a scouring pad and warm water.

5. For an oven that has been neglected for a long time, put 1 cup of ammonia in a glass bowl and put the bowl in the oven. Lave the bowl in the cold oven for 8 to 10 hours. Then, decant the ammonia into a 5-gallon bucket and fill the bucket with warm water. Put on rubber gloves and apply the diluted ammonia to the interior of the oven with a large sponge. Rinse with warm water.

6. Use a soft cloth and vinegar or glass cleaner to clean the glass oven door. For difficult to clean areas, soak a few paper towels in glass cleaner and cover the stains. Leave the towels in place for an hour or until the dirt rubs away easily.

7. Return the racks to the oven.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care with abrasive cleaners. They can cause discoloration or scratch the exterior surface of your range. Line the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil for easy cleanup of spills.

• Work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gloves when using ammonia.

References

• Cleaning Household Surfaces