Oven is one of those kitchen appliances that could easily turn into a culinary crime scene. Not sure how to clean an oven or where to start? It may seem overwhelming, but the reward of a sparkly clean oven—and the promise of better-tasting food—makes it worth the effort. Luckily, deep cleaning an oven isn’t as difficult as you might think.

Here are the top six tips to clean an oven.

1. Oven Cook-top: 

Some cook-tops are made of porcelain coated steel and can be cleaned exactly the same as an electric smooth top. Stainless steel tops should be cleaned with heavy- duty degreaser and a non-abrasive pad. Take care not use too much water when cleaning, especially around the knobs. If water drips down into the holes where the knob shafts come through, the burner switches can cause problems with the spark ignition system. Grates and burner pans can be difficult to clean. However, before you purchase new ones, you can try and clean them with grate cleanser.

2. How to clean the oven interior:

You should clean the interior of your oven three to four times per year. Slips and drips be removed as soon as possible, as they will smoke and may eventually catch on fire. Avoid detergent /soap use inside of an oven for both self – cleaning and non-self-cleaning ovens. 

• Self-cleaning ovens:

  Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instruction when using self-cleaning function. This feature heats the interior of the oven to a temperature so high; it incinerates food particles and spills. The length of the process varies from model but generally lasts for 2 to 4 hours. If you are hosting a big-cooking holiday like thanksgiving, run the self- cleaning feature a few weeks in advance, due to risk of an issue with the door latch or an electrical component. 

• Non-self-cleaning ovens:

  Simply wait until the oven is cool to touch, remove the oven racks and spray oven cleaner directly onto the interior surface. Wipe with a clean rag. 

Add baking soda to remove stubborn spots. 

Instead of boiling water, you can also use the baking soda and water mixture with vinegar spray. The key is letting it sit long enough for the ingredients to work their magic so that scrubbing is minimal. 

3. How to clean Oven racks: 

Remove and soak the racks. 

Regardless of what type of oven you have, the best way to clean the metal racks is to remove them from the oven entirely and soak them in boiling water with a little dishwasher detergent for two hours, scrub the racks with a stiff brush, rinse, and dry before returning them to the oven. 

Use the self-clean function for porcelain racks. 

If you have porcelain racks instead of metal, then you can leave them in your oven when using the self-clean cycle. Your oven may even have a steam-clean option that quickly takes care of small food spills on your racks. This cycle operates at lower heat than traditional self-cleaning. 

Steam clean is chemicals free, so standard pans and racks can remain in the oven during cleaning, and it should be used more often than self-clean to avoid stubborn stains from becoming baked on. 

4. Oven windows:

Your oven’s glass door requires a gentler approach compared to the racks since glass is more susceptible to scratches. To clean your oven door glass without scratching it, mix baking soda and water for a thick paste. Spread the paste generously on the glass and let it sit for 20 or more minutes. After, gently wipe up the paste with a microfiber cloth, rinse thoroughly with water, and let it dry for a sparkling shine. 

5. How to Clean Oven Knobs:

A simple damp microfiber rag used on and around the knobs will do the trick. If the job requires it, use a rag with a bit of soap or a disposable wipe. 

*Avoid spraying directly on the knobs as the liquid could get behind the knobs and switches and short out the control panel. Instead, spray a rag with liquid cleaner and then rub the controls to prevent shorting. 

 6. Remove dust and debris from hidden areas:

Sometimes an oven’s glass door consists of two pieces of glass, which can lead to an accumulation of crumbs, dust, or grease streaks over time. This is something you can clean easily, though it does require a few extra steps. 

First, open the door and rest it on your leg for support, then unscrew along the top of the door. By letting the door rest on your legs you’ll prevent it from falling and breaking. Once unscrewed, you’ll have access to the in-between layers of the oven. To clean up dust and crumbs, use a vacuum hose with a small nozzle. To clean grease, use a damp sponge with a long handle. Alternatively, it is recommended a yardstick with a damp washcloth attached.