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How To Clean Your Oven
We get it oven cleaning isn’t the most exciting job on the list. But a bit of TLC now and then keeps your appliance running smoothly and your food tasting its best.
Don’t just take our word for it, Amanda Lorenzini, our oven expert has shared her thoughts on when you should be cleaning your oven and how to tackle it.
Amanda says
How often should you be cleaning your oven?
The sweet spot for cleaning your oven is every 3-6 months, depending on how you cook. For keen cooks who roast joints and bake fresh pies every week, it’ll need cleaning more often.
If you notice smoke, strong fumes, or lingering smells when you turn the oven on, it’s a clear sign that there’s a buildup of grease or food residue that needs your attention.
Should you clean your oven manually as well as with a self-cleaning oven programme?
Self-cleaning programmes are great for lifting baked-on grime and making your oven low maintenance, but I still recommend manually cleaning occasionally too — especially for stubborn spots, like corners and around the door.
When you’re running a self-cleaning cycle, keep the kitchen well-ventilated and keep your eyes peeled for fumes. If you notice any strong smells, open the windows and turn on the extractor fan to keep the air as clean as possible.
Whether you’re lucky enough to have a self-cleaning model or not, there are a few small habits that can make a big difference when it’s time to give it a scrub:
- Wipe up spills as soon as the oven’s cooled
- Remove any crumbs after cooking
- Use a drip tray or foil to catch grease
- Do spot cleans as and when you need them
By paying attention to the small stuff like this, you can take a “little and often” approach that makes the big oven clean that bit easier when it comes around.
What should you use to manually clean your oven?
To get going, you’ll need:
- Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- White vinegar
- A bowl and spoon for mixing
- Gloves
- A soft cloth or non-scratch sponge
- Warm, soapy water
Follow these steps to get your oven sparkling:
Start by making a thick paste of baking soda and a small amount of water — a spreadable consistency is ideal.
Cover any noticeable grease and baked-on spots, avoiding any areas your oven manual says not to clean, like heating elements and other heat-ready parts.
Leave the paste to work its magic for a few hours or overnight (if you want to give it a good go).
When the grime’s loosened, wipe away the paste with a damp cloth and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Lightly spray or dab vinegar onto the same areas, wait a few minutes, and give it another wipe to finish it off. If there’s still a chalky film showing, wipe with vinegar again and finish off with warm, soapy water.
This method’s ideal for stubborn grease and light-moderate baked-on grime. For heavier spills, you might need to leave it on longer, apply twice, or use an oven cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.
How do you clean oven shelves and trays safely?
Oven shelves and trays can be a bit trickier since they have lots of edges.
Just:
- Remove the racks and trays when they’re cool.
- Soak them in hot water with a grease-cutting dish detergent or baking soda solution.
- Leave them for a few hours then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or soft brush to lift grease without removing the coating.
For heavy, baked-on spots:
- Make a baking soda paste and spread it over the worst areas.
- Leave it for a few hours.
- Wipe away and rinse thoroughly.
Make sure to avoid using metal scourers and rinse well, so all the detergent residue is gone before you get cooking again.
When cleaning your oven, it’s just as important to know what not to clean. Always follow your oven manual and avoid scrubbing, soaking, or spraying heating elements, fan housings, exposed wiring, sensors, or controls.
Be extra careful with fumes. Strong oven cleaners can irritate your airways, so keep the kitchen well ventilated and never apply chemicals in places where they could drip onto hot components. If you’re unsure about a product or a specific area, stick to wiping accessible surfaces and treating grease spots, then rinse thoroughly to lower the risk of residue burning the next time you cook.
Finally, let the oven cool completely before you start. This reduces the risk of burns and makes it safer to clean around the door, racks, and internal surfaces.
- How often should I clean my oven?
In most cases, a deep clean every 3-6 months will do the trick. If you cook lots (or spill a lot), it might need cleaning more often. Look out for smoke, strong fumes, and lingering smells as a clear hint your oven’s due a clean.
- Can I use baking soda to clean my oven?
Yes. A paste made from baking soda and water is a popular natural cleaning method that can help loosen grease and burnt-on food without harsh chemicals.
- What's the easiest way to remove burnt-on grease from an oven?
Applying a baking soda paste and leaving it overnight can help soften stubborn grease. For tougher buildups, a chemical oven cleaner might be more effective. Check your oven manual for advice on which cleaners are appropriate and areas to avoid.
- Can oven cleaners damage my appliance?
Most oven cleaners won’t damage your appliance if you use them correctly. Always follow your oven manual’s and the cleaner’s instructions. Make sure you don’t leave harsh chemicals on your oven’s surfaces longer than recommended and rinse well with clean water to remove any residue.
- Why does my oven smell when I turn it on?
Burnt-on food, grease, or residue can cause unpleasant odours. If you notice any unusual smells when your oven heats up, it’s a clear sign it’s time to give it a clean.
- What should I avoid when cleaning my oven?
Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your model. Some good rules of thumb are to avoid any abrasive cloths, sponges, or brushes that can scratch oven surfaces, avoid mixing chemicals or leaving strong cleaners on for too long — all of these things are bad for ovens in general.
- How long does it take to deep clean an oven?
A proper scrub can take anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on how mucky the oven is and whether you’re using strong chemicals, natural cleaning solutions, or a self-cleaning programme.
