Cooked or baked foods are usually splattered or spilled a little. Unfortunately, if you don't clean it up right away, spilled food can turn black and stick to the bottom of the oven. Fortunately, food stuck to the bottom of the oven can be removed with a little effort and time. You can also clean the stain with a homemade or store-bought cleaner.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Setting Up the Oven
Step 1. Remove all items in the oven
Remove the oven rack so you can touch the bottom. Also, be sure to take out any items you keep in the oven, such as a thermometer or pizza stand.
- If your oven rack is also blackened from food residue stuck to it, you can use a cleaning liquid to remove it. Simply unplug the shelf, clean it, then plug it back in after cleaning.
- You can easily clean the oven rack with warm water mixed with dishwashing detergent. Soak the rack for a few hours, then use a cloth to scrub off any remaining stain. After that, dry with a clean cloth.
Step 2. Wipe off any large food debris or fresh sprinkling
It's a good idea to clean up any easy-to-clean food splashes before working on the hard parts. Use a rag or towel to clean food residue that can easily be removed from the bottom of the oven.
Step 3. Spread an old newspaper or towel on the floor, right in front of the oven
Some cleaning fluid may drip from the oven during cleaning. Providing a mat on the floor to catch the drips will help protect your kitchen floor and make the cleaning process easier.
Step 4. Run self-cleaning mode if your oven has this feature
This process serves to heat the oven to a high temperature so that the remaining food sticks to burn and dries. This can make the cleaning process easier. Depending on the type of oven, this process can take about 1.5 to 3 hours.
- If the bottom of the oven is covered in burnt food residue, you may need to skip this step. Layers made of food residue burned in the oven can create a large amount of smoke that can trigger a fire alarm in the kitchen and produce chemical residue.
- Pay attention to the condition of the oven when running self-cleaning mode. If you start to see smoke, it's best to turn that mode off and clean everything by hand.
- Once the process is complete and the oven has cooled, remove any light-colored ash from the bottom of the oven with a damp cloth.
Method 2 of 3: Using Cleaning Liquid
Step 1. Make a paste of baking soda and water to create a simple cleaning liquid
Mix cup (260 grams) of baking soda with 2-3 tablespoons (30-44 ml) of water in a bowl. Put on gloves and apply the mixture to the burned area. Leave it for a full night so that the remaining food sticks to it.
- When applying the mixture, make sure you reach the darkest areas. The mixture will turn brown in color.
- Add vinegar to the cleaning paste for more effective results. Alternatively, spray vinegar into the paste before applying it. Vinegar mixed with baking soda can produce a more powerful cleaning fluid.
Step 2. Bake the lemon in the oven to clean it naturally
Cut the lemon in half, then squeeze the juice into a heatproof bowl or oven tray. Add lemon zest or water until 1/3 of the bowl is full. Place the rack in the center of the oven and place the bowl there. Bake for 30 minutes at 121 °C. The lemon vapor will penetrate the burnt layer making it easier to clean.
- It's normal for the oven to emit smoke during this process. Provide ventilation by turning on the oven fan and opening a nearby window.
- Let the oven cool, then remove the rack inside before cleaning up any food splashes.
Step 3. Use a store-bought ready-to-use cleaner if you want to use a slightly harsher chemical
This cleanser may work more effectively than other methods. So, if your oven is really dirty, this option can be an option. However, chemical cleaners are usually toxic. You should make sure the liquid is thoroughly cleaned before using the oven again for cooking. Spray the cleaning liquid on the charred area, then let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Wear protective eyewear and thick gloves if you use chemical cleaners to keep eyes and skin safe.
- Read the instructions on the sales package to find out how to use the cleaning fluid, and how long the liquid needs to be left on.
Step 4. Make sure the cleaning fluid does not touch the heating iron
It doesn't matter whether you use a natural cleaning fluid or a chemical one, try to keep it from getting on the heating iron. When turning the oven back on, the heating iron can emit smoke that affects the taste of the food.
- For electric ovens, you have to remove the metal layer that covers the heating iron and apply cleaning fluid to the bottom. If you are using a gas oven, try not to hit the gas valve or the lighter.
- If liquid gets on the heating iron accidentally, wipe it with a cloth dipped in clean water.
Method 3 of 3: Rinsing Cleaning Liquid
Step 1. Wipe off the cleaning liquid and scrub with a damp cloth
Dip and wring the cloth several times during this process. Make sure you wipe off any cleaning liquid that is in every crevice of the oven. If you use a ready-to-use cleaning product, first read the label and follow the instructions on the package.
- If you're using a baking soda-based cleaner, put a little white vinegar in a spray bottle and wet the cleaner before wiping. The baking soda and vinegar mixture will foam, making it easier to see.
- If you are trying to clean the oven naturally with lemon, use the remaining lemon juice to scrub the blackened area.
- A plastic spatula can be used to remove charred and stuck food residue.
Step 2. Use a cotton swab to scrub away stubborn food residue
Wet your coir a little, then rub in areas that are difficult to clean. A microfiber sponge or wire wool can also be used as an alternative.
Step 3. Clean the oven again with a damp cloth, then let it dry
Take a clean cloth and wipe the bottom one more time to make sure all stains, food residue, and cleaning liquid are gone. Allow the oven to dry or wipe with a clean towel.
- If you're using a strong chemical cleaner, it's a good idea to clean the bottom of the oven one more time with a small amount of dish soap to make sure no chemical remains.
- If there is still food residue stuck to it, spray vinegar on the area and wipe it off with a damp cloth. Vinegar can help you get rid of stubborn stains.
Step 4. Clean the area around the oven and reassemble your rack
Make sure you wipe the sides of the oven door if you spray liquid on them. Lift the newspaper or towel off the floor, then wipe off any leftover food that comes out of the oven.
If you have to clean the oven rack, thermometer, or anything else that has been removed from the oven, do the cleaning before reinstalling it
Tips
- You can clean the glass in the oven door with a mixture of baking soda and water used to clean the entire oven. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean sponge. Finally, wipe the glass with a clean towel.
- If you use the oven often enough, clean the appliance every 3 months. If you don't use it often, just clean it once or twice a year.
- A clean oven can make food taste better! Food residue that sticks to it can cause unpleasant smelling smoke that changes the taste of food.
- Prevent food residue from sticking and drying out by cleaning it as soon as possible. However, be careful not to hurt yourself.
