With all the baking for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, my oven needed to be cleaned. It wasn’t really bad, but I like to keep it looking really shiny and clean. We have a self-clean cycle and a steam clean cycle on our oven, so I decided to run the self-clean on the short cycle. I don’t leave the oven racks inside when I use the cleaning cycles. The manual says the high temperature can change the color of the racks. I want mine to stay bright shiny chrome.
While the self-clean cycle was running, I scrubbed the oven racks with lots of soapy water and a SOS pad. They look ok, but not all of the baked-on grease came off. You can still see some of the burnt spills on the racks and that’s not what I want.
I did a google on how to clean oven racks and I found several, but most of them all used the same method. You fill the bathtub with enough hot water to cover the racks and about 1/2 cup of dish soap ( I used Dawn) or laundry detergent. Then add the racks and let them soak for 24 hours.
When I took them out of the water all kinds of little black specks were left in the tub. That’s yucky grease that came off while the racks were soaking.
There were a few spots left, so a quick once over with an SOS Pad and then a good soap and water rinse and they were almost as good as new. I am totally impressed.
I think this looks amazing and without all the scrubbing I usually have to do. If you need to clean your oven racks, give it a try.
I got a new oven last month and love how beautiful it looked until I started using it. I’m extra careful but stuff happens. Thanks for this practical advice. Great post.
Wow! They look great! I had planned on cleaning my oven today (actually it’s a self-clean oven, but you know what I mean), and I am going to put my racks in the tub. What a great tip.
what a great tip!
My hubby does the cooking and for how great a cook he is, he is a sloppy cook! That also means he does not clean after himself, and that’s where I come in. Thanks Marty – will be going this route!
I read many years ago to place the oven racks in a large black garbage bag and spray the inside with oven cleaner. Let the oven cleaner do the work. After many hours , or even overnight, take the racks out and hose them down. There is no scrubbing and mess in the house. Try it!
I do the garbage bag / oven cleaner with oven racks and the grates from the BBQ. Works AMAZING!!
Ramona
Lakefield ON Canada
I love your tip. I am also a clean oven person, and can not stand for my ovens (I have two) to shine. The last time I scrubbed my oven racks they scratched my farmer style sink. Can’t have that! Can’t wait to try your tip.
Hi Marty,
I never can use my self cleaning it gets too hot and sets off my smoke detectors. It is a new stove too. I have heard a lot of people complain of this even on new ovens. So I get the Easy Off and just spray it on the night before and leave it all night even on the racks and it takes all the burnt on and greese and makes the oven look brand new too. Just wipe out in the morning. I get the new no fumes stuff and it works so great. Just anot
Another easy method is to put the racks in a big plastic bag (I use a 30 gal trash bag) and put 2 cups ammonia in. Tie it shut, take it outside and leave it overnight. In the morning the junk just falls off.
Yep, I use that method too.
Oh, I do need to do this, Marty! Thanks for posting about it.
Years ago in another house, I had a continuous cleaning oven that was great. Haven’t seen one since.
There is a foil piece you can buy for the bottom of the over to catch drips too.
Looks great! I am going through the same process, but in contacting the manufacturer, I cannot soak my oven racks as they are coated with a non-food grade oil to keep them shiny. I scrubbed and scrubbed with what the manual recommended and then had to call them for other ideas as they were not coming clean.
Wish I could soak mine but not recommended by the manufacturer – always good to check.
Thanks for the great tip! I use the self cleaning option on my oven regaularly but have still been hand scrubbing my racks. Will certainly give this a try!
isn’t it strange-we all think we are the only one with the problem. thanks for letting me know i am not!
I do it a bit differently. I place my racks in the tub and spray them with vinegar and top with baking soda. While I fill the tub with hot water I add the dawn. I leave them in the solution for a few hours and then use a scouring pad just to help the stubborn stains but this way you don’t have to wait 24 hours.
Happy New Year!
Appreciated the tip about how to clean the racks. I will give this a try.
Blessings,
d
ON MY TO DO LIST IN JANUARY! THANKS MARTY! LAURA
Thanks Marty for this. I didn’t know about this and will try this today!!! My oven racks need this:)