Electric ovens are increasingly used, not only because they look very good from an aesthetic point of view, but primarily because of the advantages they offer. In addition to precise temperature regulation, electric ovens also can reach this temperature very quickly, do not emit harmful substances and offer the possibility of healthy cooking, with a very good efficiency, while also reducing the degree of wear and tear on the dishes, while also providing safety in use.
An electric oven is very easy to use thanks to its electronic controls and functions, electronic clocks, cooking time programming functions with automatic start and stop, the temperatures it can reach, etc.
Cleaning your electric oven is the key to an efficient and long-lasting oven. A dirty oven can be not only like a battlefield after a war, but also a generator of all sorts of smells other than those coming from a well-prepared dish. With the right knowledge and basic tools, cleaning your electric oven doesn’t have to be a chore.
How often should the oven be cleaned?
It is said that an oven needs to be cleaned when the general appearance leaves something to be desired, that is, there is a crust or residue on the bottom of the oven, or the door is covered or splashed with grease or dirt. Another sign that it is necessary to clean the electric oven is when you turn it on and a distinct smell appears, which means that there is persistent grease or food residue inside. Finally, the appearance of any smoke when turning it on is a sign that it is necessary to clean the electric oven.
For passionate chefs and bakers who regularly use the oven, cleaning should be done regularly once every three months. If it is used less often, i.e. a few times a month, it is enough to clean it about once or twice a year. But you should also pay attention to the signs listed above.
Why is a clean oven important?
Whether we agree or not, it is worth emphasizing that the oven cleaning procedure , done regularly, improves the quality of the food that is cooked in it and increases the confidence of those who use it in the recipes used.
Self-cleaning is a useful tool, especially if a moderately dirty oven needs to be cleaned.
What isa self-cleaning electric oven?
Many models of electric ovens also offer automatic cleaning functions, and these methods use the thermal treatment of food residues deposited on the interior surfaces as their operating principle. Basically, the oven heats up to a very high temperature, and in this way all residues are eliminated:
Catalytic cleaning takes place simultaneously with the regular operation of the oven, and after the oven use cycle is over, all that remains is to wipe the inside of the oven using a damp cloth.
Pyrolytic cleaning can only be done when the oven is empty. According to the manufacturers, the cleaning takes place over a period of up to 120 minutes, during which the oven can reach a temperature of 480 to 550°C, and the grease and residues will be neutralized and finally wiped with a damp cloth.
Regardless of the method used, it is recommended that you remove food residue, which has turned into a fine powder, when the oven has cooled down.
How to clean the oven with baking soda and vinegar
After removing everything from the oven, racks, pizza stone, thermometer, etc., place paper towels on the floor under the oven and in a small bowl mix a cup of baking soda with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water until you get a spreadable paste.
Put on your gloves and using your fingers, spread the paste inside the oven, covering the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners, and crevices. Do not get the paste on the heating elements. Turn off the oven when you are finished and let the paste sit for 10 to 12 hours, or overnight.
After this time, wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth. If there are any additional sticky spots, use an abrasive tool to remove all the dirt. If there are any pieces of paste that won’t come off easily, spray some vinegar on them. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and create a foam. Take the damp cloth again and wipe away all the foam.
How to clean the oven with lemon
Fill a medium-sized ovenproof dish with water. Slice two lemons and place in the bowl. Preheat the oven to 250°C. Place the dish inside the oven on one of the racks. Leave for one hour. After one hour, turn off the oven, open the door and let it cool slightly.
While the oven is still warm but cool enough that you can safely touch the inside without getting burned, put on oven gloves, take a damp cloth, and wipe down all surfaces, including the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners, and crevices. If necessary, use an abrasive tool to target any additional sticky spots. Be sure to wipe thoroughly so that all grease and dirt are removed.
How to clean your oven with store-bought cleaning products
After you remove everything from the oven, put on your gloves and safety glasses. Spray the detergent around the inside of the oven, covering the back, sides, bottom, top, door, and corners. Do not spray on the heating elements, but lift them up and spray underneath. Let the detergent sit for the time specified on the instructions.
Most electric oven manufacturers recommend about 20 to 30 minutes. Once the time is up, take a damp cloth, open the oven, and wipe down all surfaces. Clean the shelves in the sink in the same way. Rinse them with water and wipe them dry with the cloth. Put your shelves back in the oven.
