Five top tips for oven maintenance
Face facts. You need to give that oven a good old scrub, and
it’s a pretty grim job. Sometimes we forget to mop up the cheese sauce that’s
bubbled its way out of the lasagne and left a crusty burnt splodge on the oven
door.
Over time these stains will create a nightmare in your oven.
However, by maintaining a regular cleaning regime, each time the scrubbing will
take less effort. To help, we’ve shared our five top tips for oven maintenance:
Before you start
Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated by opening any windows
and any doors, where possible. Check you have everything you need to complete
the job and ensure you wear rubber gloves to avoid any skin irritation. The
oven should be switched off before you begin.
Elbow grease
If the oven door is so black that you can’t see through it,
don’t panic. There’s no need for harsh chemicals
with strong fumes that make you feel delirious. An easy way to clean your oven
– and save cash – is to use vinegar, baking soda and a little bit of elbow
grease.
Mix half a tub of baking soda
with a few tablespoons of water to make a paste. Spread this over the surfaces
inside your oven but avoid the heating elements.
Don’t worry if the baking
soda starts to go brown – it’s simply gathering up all the grime. Leave it
overnight and in the morning, simply use a damp cloth to wipe away the foam. Spray
vinegar onto any remaining blobs of baking soda to get the oven shining!
Prevent spills
Preparation is everything. If you know you’re going to make
that fish pie where the white sauce always overflows, place a baking tray lined
with foil under the shelf. That way, you can simply throw the foil away. Don’t
line the bottom of the oven with foil, as this could start a fire.
Pour salt onto any spillages during cooking and as the oven
heats it up, the spill will turn to ash and can be easily wiped away once it
has cooled.
Don’t forget the racks
The shelving racks will see their fair share of grime too
and should be cleaned regularly, alongside the rest of the oven.
Make sure you take the shelves out as this makes them easier
to clean separately. Leave them to soak in some soapy water for half an hour
and then use an abrasive pad to remove any debris.
Regular wipe downs
It may sound obvious, but simply wiping down each time you
have cooked will save you a hassle in the long run. Wiping spills while they
are wet is much easier than trying to chisel them off when they’ve had weeks to
rest.
Self-cleaning ovens
Self-cleaning
ovens heat to a very hot temperature and turn dried-on food stains into ash.
They do most of the work for you but remember to remove any pots or racks from
the oven before you turn it on.
Turn on the
self-cleaning mode, which can take several hours. Your oven should be locked
during self-clean. Allow the oven to cool for several hours, then brush all of
the ash into a bin bag. Hey presto.
Never use commercial oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven as
they can eat into the surface, making the porcelain walls pop.
So, there you have it! Five simple tips that will make cleaning
your oven a simple task. Make sure you’re protecting your home appliances with
products such as our oven insurance,
and never worry about a break down again!
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.
