It’s time for the weekly home check and it’s time for the oven ah, yes we’re cleaning the oven.
It’s more than just aesthetics. Baked-on grime affects your oven’s performance and efficiency. Think longer preheating times, uneven cooking, and higher energy bills. Plus, who wants to breathe in burnt-on residue with every meal?
Cleaning Supplies:
- Baking soda: Your natural, non-abrasive friend for tackling baked-on messes. Make a paste with water.
- Vinegar: Dilute it with water for a spritz-tastic degreaser.
- Dish soap: For stubborn stains and finishing touches.
- Sponges, cloths, and maybe a toothbrush: Your cleaning battalion.
- Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from harsh chemicals.
Steps to Victory:
- Warm up your oven: Preheat to 150°F (65°C) to loosen the grime.
- Deploy the baking soda paste: Coat the interior walls and grates. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Scrub-a-dub-dub: Gently remove the paste and loosened gunk with your sponge and dish soap.
- Vinegar’s Victory Lap: Spray stubborn stains with the diluted vinegar solution. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Rack ’em Up: Remove and wash the oven racks (don’t forget the undersides!).
- Exterior Elegance: Wipe down the outside of your oven with a damp cloth.
Bonus Tip: Deodorize with citrus! Place lemon or orange peels in a heat-safe dish and run the oven on low heat for 15 minutes. Freshened kitchen, here we come!
Regular cleaning keeps your oven happy, efficient, and ready to bake up culinary masterpieces. So, grab your supplies and conquer the crud!
Thanks for reading,
Chris
