HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR OVEN?

Well, it’s typically recommended to clean your oven every three months. That said, if your oven is heavily used, it may need to be cleaned more frequently. 

The good news is that there are ways to extend the time between deep cleans, such as cleaning spills after each use once the oven cools.

This guide will take you through the basics of keeping your oven clean so that it can work as intended.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR OVEN?

Generally, you should perform a deep clean every three months unless you heavily use your oven. The best approach, however, is to clean messes in your oven right away once the oven is cool. 

If you're an avid cook or baker, you should clean your oven more frequently to prevent the build-up of grime and grease and to keep your oven looking its best. Spills and splatters are easier to clean while the oven is still slightly warm, but not hot.

Other signs that it’s time to clean your oven are the amount of visible residue on the oven’s exterior or interior, like grease. Also, if you smell strange odours or smoke from the oven, it’s time to clean it.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO AN OVEN THAT’S NOT REGULARLY CLEANED?

Stuck-on foods and residue inside an oven can cause smoke while heating and create unpleasant smells. These smells may lead to undesirable flavours in whatever you cook in the oven. Additionally, certain residues stuck to the outside of your oven may harm the finish.

WHAT CAN I USE TO CLEAN MY OVEN?

Every model is different, so you must ensure you follow your owner’s manual’s instructions.

Generally, you can clean an oven’s interior with a baking soda solution comprised of 3 parts water and 8 parts baking soda. This will make a paste that you can apply and let sit for roughly 20 minutes. Afterward, spray it with lemon juice or white vinegar and then wipe it away.

To clean oven racks, soak them in warm water with laundry detergent or dish soap. Next, use vinegar or glass cleaner to clean the outside of the oven door glass. 

Some models have a self-cleaning cycle or steam-cleaning cycle. Read this guide on self-cleaning ovens to learn more.

REASONS TO CLEAN YOUR OVEN

A major benefit of cleaning your oven is that it lowers the likelihood of food contamination by eliminating grease and fat that commonly build up inside the appliance. Additionally, a clean oven door glass helps increase visibility, making it easier to monitor food as it cooks.

Effective and regular oven maintenance may improve your creative and cooking process by ensuring your appliance is ready to use and can properly roast meat and vegetables or bake any tasty dessert you wish. 

HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO COOK AFTER CLEANING YOUR OVEN?

Regardless of the cleaning method, you should be able to cook in your oven once the oven surfaces are dry or the self-clean cycle has finished and you've wiped clean the interior. Ultimately, how long it takes will depend on the cleaning method.

If you manually clean your oven using a mild solution made of common household items like vinegar, baking soda or dish soap, you can start cooking once all parts of the oven—the interior, racks, door and cooktop—are clean and completely dry. These products, or cleaning solutions made with them, help protect oven surfaces from damage, depending on the material. 

With the self-cleaning function, you can start cooking once the cycle is complete, the oven has cooled and all remaining ash has been removed. The cool-down time may take about 30 minutes but it varies based on the model.

HOW TO MAINTAIN CLEAN OVEN GLASS

Cleaning oven glass should be part of your regular oven maintenance routine along with cleaning the racks, interior and cooktop. It’s recommended to clean spills on your oven glass once your appliance has cooled to the point where it’s only warm to the touch as waiting can give the spill time to dry, making it more challenging to remove.

HOW TO CLEAN OVEN GLASS AND THE OVEN’S INTERIOR

To manually clean your oven’s interior, ensure that the appliance has completely cooled and lay towels or trash bags under the door to catch any drippings. 

Remove everything inside the appliance, like cookware and oven racks, and then make a cleaning solution by mixing baking soda with water until it creates a paste. Next, use a flexible silicone spatula or brush to coat the entire cavity with the paste, including the door but not the glass windows. Let the paste sit for a minimum of 20 minutes, or overnight if you’re dealing with a substantial amount of grease and grime, before spraying the cavity with lemon juice or white vinegar. Lastly, with a cloth or rag, wipe up the solution right away and use a scraper to get rid of stubborn spots. You may have to repeat this process with vinegar or lemon juice until your oven’s interior is fully cleaned. 

To clean a glass door, wipe up the baking soda mixture and then spray with lemon juice or white vinegar.

HOW TO CLEAN OVEN RACKS

A good tip is to clean your oven racks before cleaning your oven’s interior. Start by removing the racks and then soaking them in a large tub with hot water. Next, add 3/4 to 1 cup of laundry detergent or 1/2 cup of mild dish soap. Let them soak for at least two hours. Then, carefully scrub the racks with a cleaning brush. Give them a good rinse and dry them with a soft cloth. Make sure they are completely dry before returning them to the oven.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR COOKTOP

To clean your oven’s glass cooktop, use a plastic scraper to get rid of food residue. Next, spray your cooktop with a cooktop cleaner like affresh^® Cooktop Cleaner²  or white vinegar. 

Now, turn your attention to stubborn spots. First, loosen them using a soft plastic scrubber before wiping away the cleaning solution with a damp cloth. Keep rinsing the cooktop with a damp cloth until every drop of cleaner has been removed. If you have gas stove top grates and burners, you should consult your owner’s manual or user guide for product-specific information before making any attempt to clean them.

For self-cleaning models, use this feature rather than performing a manual clean. Follow these steps to use the self-cleaning option on select models:

• Wipe down the oven’s interior using a damp cloth

• Use glass cleaner and a very fine (000) steel wool pad to clean the oven window

• Take out the oven racks and plastic items from the cooktop and storage drawer 

• Run the self-cleaning cycle
  
  

2. affresh brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.

EXPLORE KITCHENAID®OVENS

A clean oven gives you the freedom to explore your culinary passion. With a KitchenAid^® Oven, you can experience sleek and convenient designs and a manageable oven maintenance routine, freeing you to focus on tackling your next memorable meal. Browse all ranges and ovens by KitchenAid brand to discover the model that’s right for your household.