Oven Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

A lot of people love baking, from bread to pastries to all sorts of sumptuous recipes. Baked recipes are simply irresistible. But after all the baking and feasting comes the nastiest (and worst) part – cleaning the oven.

To ensure that your oven works perfectly and lasts longer, you have to keep your oven clean and well-maintained. Here let’s check out some oven cleaning and maintenance tips shared by an expert from appliance repair services in Tampa.

Regular cleaning

Just like any other kitchen equipment, the oven needs regular cleaning – both the interior and its exterior. Using a damp cloth, wipe away stains and splashes from your oven’s exterior to get rid of bacteria. The interior should also be deep cleaned at least once a month.

Get rid of nasty odor

Cooking meat and fish in the oven can leave a pungent smell. To remove this nasty odor, you can ‘cook up’ your own homemade oven re-freshener. Simply place orange peel or a few drops of vanilla in some water and then slowly heat in the oven for an hour. It’s an effective way of freshening up your oven’s interior and can even make the entire kitchen smell fresh.

Cleaning even after self-cleaning

Some ovens are equipped with a self-cleaning feature. But this doesn’t mean you don’t need to manually clean it. The self-clean cycle works by sending off an extremely high heat that burns all residual debris inside the oven. Remove the ashes using a damp cloth.

Don’t remove and wet the knobs

The oven’s knobs are among the most vulnerable parts of the oven. Removing the knobs while cleaning can be very tempting, especially if you’re a meticulous cleaner. However, removing and squirting cleaning products around them can cause problems with the electrical system of the oven. This is one of the top reasons for service calls.

Unplug oven when cleaning

When cleaning the oven by hand or when using water, make sure to unplug the unit. There is always the risk of electrocution and electrical failures when using water while cleaning the oven. Always stay safe by unplugging your oven before you begin cleaning.

Change the gas line

When using a new gas oven, make sure to replace the gas line. Moving and swapping can cause vibrations that can cause leaks in the gas line. While you can save a few bucks using the old gas line, there is a risk of gas leaks. So, whenever you are installing a new oven, it is recommended that you also install a new gas line as a safety precaution.

Avoid stains and spills

To make oven cleaning easier and hassle-free, plan ahead before you start cooking or baking. For example, if there is a chance of dripping or overflowing your dish, place an extra tray lined with foil beneath it. After cooking, you can easily remove and throw away the dirty foil. In case there is a spillage on your hob, immediately sprinkle it with salt so it would be easier to wipe away once it cools down.

Use a vacuum cleaner

Completely remove the ash after a self-clean cycle by using a vacuum cleaner. This effectively sucks up all the residual debris after the pyrolytic cleaning. Once done, you can wipe off the walls with warm, soapy water.

 

Finally, take note that specialty ovens, such as convection oven, combi oven, conveyor oven, and deck oven, have specific cleaning and maintenance guidelines. Make sure to read the user’s manual when cleaning your oven. If you notice any change in your oven’s operation, check your user’s manual or ask the help of a serviceman. This way you can avoid more serious problems.

 

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