Steam cleaning is one of the most effective ways to clean an oven and remove baked-on grease and food residues. With some simple equipment and these easy steps, you can have your oven looking sparkling clean.
What You Need
- Steamer/steam cleaner
- Nylon scrub pad or brush
- Oven cleaner or baking soda
- Old towels
- Rubber gloves
Step 1: Remove Oven Racks and Accessories
Before steaming, remove all racks, pans, aluminum foil or anything else from the oven. This allows you to fully access the oven walls and door when cleaning. Place removed accessories in the sink to soak and loosen debris while cleaning the oven.
Step 2: Heat Up the Oven
Preheat your oven to 200°F. Heating it up helps loosen food particles and makes wiping away grease and grime easier after steaming. Avoid higher temperatures as they can set stains and make them harder to remove later.
Step 3: Steam Clean the Oven Interior
With oven mitts on, carefully place the steam cleaner or steamer inside the warm oven and turn it on. Steam the inside walls, corners, door and ceiling of the oven thoroughly. The hot steam will soften baked-on spills, allowing them to be easily wiped away later.
Be sure to steam evenly, moving the steamer around to cover all areas. Focus on problem spots. Keep the oven door slightly ajar while steaming to allow steam to exit and not build up excess pressure.
Step 4: Scrub Away Residue
After steaming, turn off and remove the steamer. Using rubber gloves, grab your nylon scrub pad or brush dipped in a paste of baking soda and water. Scrub the inside of the oven, focusing on any problem areas. The steam will have loosened burnt food and grease, allowing thorough scrubbing to remove residues easily without excessive elbow grease.
For stubborn spots, try spraying a bit of oven cleaner and letting it sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing. Wipe down thoroughly with old towels afterwards.
Step 5: Clean Accessories and Finish Up
Remove oven racks and accessories from the sink. Scrub and rinse them. Wipe down the exterior oven surfaces. Place racks and accessories back into the clean oven. Do a final wipe down with a clean wet towel to remove any leftover cleaning product residue.
And that’s it! In just a few simple steps, you can have a sparkling clean oven ready for all your baking needs. Be sure to do a deep clean every few months to keep your oven fresh. Enjoy the clean oven aroma and satisfaction!
Frequently Asked Questions About Steam Cleaning Ovens
How does steam cleaning work?
Steam helps soften and loosen dried food spills and greasy buildup. The combination of hot steam and scrubbing gives a thorough clean.
What can I use if I don’t have a steamer?
You can place a shallow pan of water in the oven bottom. Add boiling water periodically to create steam. This manual method just takes longer.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
About 200°F is ideal. Too hot can bake food on even more. Go cooler rather than hotter. The steam does the cleaning work, not heat.
What kind of scrub pad should I use?
Nylon scrub pads are ideal. They are abrasive enough to scrub off residues but gentle enough not to scratch oven surfaces. Avoid metal scouring pads.
Can I use regular oven cleaner instead of baking soda?
Yes, spray oven cleaners are effective. Baking soda is a non-toxic alternative. Be sure to rinse the oven well after using cleaners before resuming cooking.
How often should I steam clean my oven?
Aim to do a thorough steam clean every 2-3 months. Quick steam touch ups every month can also keep your oven fresh.
Can I steam clean a self-cleaning oven?
It’s best not to steam clean self-cleaning oven models. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to use the self-cleaning cycle instead.
Conclusion
Steam cleaning is a safe, effective and economical way to thoroughly clean an oven without harsh chemicals. Following these simple steps of preheating, steaming, scrubbing and rinsing will leave you with sparkling oven walls, racks and door ready for all your baking needs. Just be sure to work carefully when handling the steam and wear gloves when scrubbing. Take your time and focus on problem areas. With regular steam cleaning, you can easily maintain a fresh oven all year long.