Cleaning ovens, stovetops, and range hoods are dirty jobs, but regularly cleaning and maintaining a range is important to keeping your home safe and your food delicious.
Gina Perry, a high-class merchant who works as a cleaner at The Home Depot and Katie Sadler, brand director at Whirlpool Kitchenexplains the best way to clean ovens, stovetops, range hoods, and filters to keep them looking their best and operating at peak performance.
How to clean the oven door, interior and racks
There are three methods to choose from when it comes to cleaning your oven: Commercial oven cleaner, DIY cleaning solution, or a self-clean function if your model offers it. Each method has its pros and cons; Broadly speaking, commercial oven cleaners that get the job done quickly are formulated with harsh chemicals that are irritating to the skin and respiratory system, while homemade solutions from The gentler components don’t work as well, and the self-cleaning functions are a good way to damage your oven, needing costly repair or total replacement.
Up front, we’ve detailed oven cleaning methods with commercial oven cleaners and DIY solutions. Always consult your appliance’s instruction manual before using oven cleaners or other cleaners inside your oven.
Easy-Off Professional Smokeless Oven Cleaner
$6.27 at Home Depot
Coat the inside of the oven, oven rack, and door with detergent and follow the manufacturer’s drying time instructions. After allowing the oven cleaner to soak through the dirt on the baking surface, remove the grating from the oven and wipe it clean with a damp cloth or sponge (a scrub sponge may be needed to dislodge stubborn residue) ; Rinse with water, dry and set aside. Then, use a sponge or rag to clean the inside of the oven and oven door, rinsing the sponge regularly.
Dawn Platinum Powerwash dishwashing liquid
$5.47 at Home Depot
If you want to avoid using commercial oven cleaners, you’ll need to clean the racks separately. Take them out of the oven and soak them for at least 30 minutes in a solution of hot water and dish soap to wash away the food and cooking oil. After soaking, scrub with a scouring pad or load-bearing sponge, rinse, dry and set aside.
OXO Good Grips kitchen equipment cleaning set
$10.99 at Amazon
After removing the rack from the oven, mix ½ cup baking soda with just enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply the mixture to the inside of the oven, including the door. After 12 hours, wipe off the baking soda mixture with a damp cloth or sponge; A scrub brush will also be helpful to remove baking dirt from the cake.
Windex Commercial Series Original Glass Cleaner
$4.18 at Home Depot
To clean the outside of the oven door, use a microfiber cloth and hot soapy water. Rinse and, if desired, polish with glass cleaner and paper towels.
How often should you clean your oven?
Each household uses its oven differently and the frequency of cleaning depends on the frequency of use. “If you or your family love to cook a lot, clean out your oven every three months or so,” says Perry. “If you rarely cook a large meal outside of the big holidays, cleaning your oven twice a year should be more than enough.”
How to clean gas stoves and burners
Perry detailed step-by-step instructions for cleaning gas stoves and burners; Before starting, make sure the stove and burner are cool.
Scotch-Brite Dobie multi-purpose mop pad, 3 packs
$3.58 at Home Depot
Remove the griddle and drip pan from the stove and soak them in hot soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes to break up any buildup during cooking. After soaking, scrub away any remaining build-up with a non-abrasive mesh sponge.
Arm & Hammer Pure carbonated soft drink shaker
$6.72 at Amazon
Use a sponge and warm soapy water or a baking soda and warm water cooktop cleaner to clean the countertop. Glue can also be used to clean reflector nets and pans.
Plastic razor blade scraper, 2 packs
$12.99 $8.99 at Amazon
Use a plastic scraper, spatula, or knife to scrape dry or baked foods on the stovetop. Do not scrape with anything made of metal as it may leave scratches.
Multi-purpose microfiber cloth HDX, 6 packs
$3.28 at Home Depot
Use a damp cloth to wipe away debris. Dry the cooktop, drip pan and grate and reassemble.
How to clean an electric stove
Before cleaning the electric hob, make sure it is off and cool to the touch, then follow these steps.
Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge, 9 packs
$8.58 at Home Depot
Wipe the cooktop, including the coils, with a cloth or sponge and warm soapy water. Rinse the sponge and wipe off the soap with clean water.
Genuine Joe microfiber cleaning cloth, 4 packs
$10.03 at Home Depot
Turn the burner on high to clear away debris and debris (they will smoke, and that’s normal; open windows and/or turn on exhaust fans to keep smoke alarms from going off). When smoking stops, turn off the burner and let it cool. Remove them and wipe away any remaining debris with a dry towel.
HDX lemon Ammonia
$1.98 at Home Depot
Remove the drip pans and soak them in hot soapy water; Drip pans with significant residue should be placed in a large, sealable plastic bag with a tablespoon of ammonia. Leave them overnight and rinse with water.
Weiman glass kitchen cleaner
$7.28 at Home Depot
Clean the cooktop with a glass cooktop cleaner or with a bikini soda mixture (½ cup baking soda: 3-4 tablespoons of water) using a non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristled brush.
How often should you clean your hob?
The frequency of use will determine how often to clean your stove; Wiping with a damp cloth or sponge after each use will help prevent the accumulation of cooking oil and food splashes and spills on the cooktop.
“In addition to daily cleaning,” says Sadler, “using a biweekly or monthly cooktop cleaner can help take care of tough soils and protect your kitchen from rust.” damage “.
How to clean the hood and filter
Over time, the hood and filter will develop a sticky film as cooking particles attract dirt.
Libman Big Job Kitchen Brush
$4.47 at Home Depot
Start by removing the filter from the vent cap; Completely submerge in hot, soapy water and allow to soak while you clean the hood. After soaking, gently scrub with a soft brush to remove build-up, rinse and dry before placing back in place. And, although it may be tempting, Perry says, “Don’t run the hood filters through your dishwasher. Grease can clog the drain hose of your dishwasher.”
ZEP . industrial purple cleaner
$5.48 at Home Depot
Sticky, dirty hoods need to be cleaned with a degreasing product that can penetrate and break down any remaining cooking particles. Dish soap can be used to cut grease, but when something stronger is needed, look to a commercial degreaser like.
Refresh the Kitchen Cleaning Kit
$8.99 at Home Depot
To clean non-stainless steel hoods, Sadler recommends using a non-abrasive cooktop cleaner. Apply a dime-sized amount directly to the vent cap, let dry to a white matte, then polish with a soft, dry cloth until no white film is visible.
Refreshing Polished Stainless Steel
$18.95 at Amazon
For cleaning stainless steel hoods, Sadler recommends Affresh Stainless Steel Brightener. Rub the polish in the direction of the grain and polish it clean. “If you don’t have any on hand, you can dip a non-abrasive sponge in liquid dish soap diluted in water and scrub the stainless,” says Sadler. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scourers that can scratch and tarnish stainless.
