When was the last time you gave your oven a thorough wash? Whether it was yesterday, last week, or you're invoking your right to remain silent, knowing how often an oven needs to be cleaned can save you a lot of time and money.
After spending hours working over the hot stove to prepare a delicious meal, it's so easy to close the oven door and forget about the mess you left inside. But knowing how to clean an oven (and doing it regularly) isn't just a matter of aesthetics. This is a crucial step to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your device.
We spoke to several oven cleaning experts about this hot topic and here's what they had to say...
How often should an oven be cleaned?
How often your oven should be cleaned depends on a variety of factors: what you cook and how often, the size of your home, and your oven's self-cleaning capabilities.
Typically, a family of four who prepare a roast once a week and occasionally bake a cake will need a thorough cleaning every two to three months.
"For ovens, the regularity of cleaning depends on the use and the food being cooked," says Sophie Lane, product training manager at Miele . "If you grill or cook a lot of fatty foods, you may need to clean them more regularly. »
"If you occasionally cook or bake, a thorough cleaning every three to six months should be sufficient," adds Lucy Baxter, marketing manager for the Bosch Group. "But if you work in the kitchen regularly, try to do it every month or two."
(Image credit: Future PLC/Adam Carter)
You should also stay on top of things by doing a quick daily or weekly cleaning of your oven. This will prevent grease buildup and stains that will be harder to remove when you use the oven later. You can learn how to quickly clean an oven in 30 minutes , but that won't work if you don't do regular spot cleaning.
"Removing cooked food and grease is the most difficult part of cleaning an oven. That's why regularly wiping away residue with a cloth dampened with soap and water is a great way to make the job easier," says Liam Dickerson of Housekeep . "Just make sure the oven has cooled completely before attempting to clean it."
Sara San Angelo, professional cleaner and founder of Confessions of a Cleaning Lady , recommends doing this weekly, focusing on oven spills and leftover food. "For hobs, we recommend cleaning them after each use," adds Lucy Baxter.
Why is it important to clean an oven regularly?
If grease and dirt build up, it can affect the oven's ability to reach the correct temperature and ensure consistent cooking conditions. This leads to poor cooking results and increases the operating costs of an oven .
In a recent oven cleaning warning , Mike Harris, founder of the Oven Rescue Group , estimated that "a dirty oven can add up to 10% more to your energy bill than a clean oven." » Additionally, the increased pressure placed on your oven can will cause the fan and elements to fail.
Meanwhile, your dirty oven is burning leftover food and releasing harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide into your kitchen. These harmful gases can change the taste of food, cause itchy eyes, and worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma.
How often should a professional clean an oven?
The consensus among oven cleaning professionals is that most people clean their ovens once a year. However, this can vary depending on how big your home is, how often you use the oven, and what you cook in it.
"It's common for someone who inherits an oven in their new home to have it completely cleaned when they move in," says Karen Davis, co-founder and principal of The Oven Cleaning Co. "They'll clean it regularly afterward." oven. We generally recommend an interval of six months between cleanings.
"Someone who lives alone and doesn't cook much might only need it once a year. "A family of six that cooks every night and grills every weekend might think about doing this every three or four months," he adds.
"If people cook Sunday dinner with a greasy joint every week, we'll see them once a year," says Rik Hellewell, CEO of Ovenu . "We're big believers in doing it right so people don't have to pay to do it more regularly.
"Smaller households or those who use the oven more frequently for cooking and therefore create less mess may only come to us every two years. "Many of our customers come to us when they cannot see through the glass!"
(Image credit: Bosch)
How often should I use the pyrolysis function of my oven?
A pyrolysis cleaning function can make cleaning the oven easier. If your oven has this technology, all you have to do is remove the plates and racks and then activate the pyrolysis mode. This increases the internal temperature to 500°C, turning grease and dirt inside into ash which can then be swept away.
"If you have an oven with a pyrolytic self-cleaning program, you can afford to wait a little longer between full cleanings," says Sophie Lane, product training manager at Miele . "The heat of this program removes almost anything in the interior cavity with ease."
"Miele pyrolysis ovens have three settings that you can choose from depending on how dirty the oven is. 1 is intended for light dirt and should be used about once a month. 2 is suitable for medium soiling and should be used every two to three months, and 3 is suitable for heavy soiling and should be used every four to six months. For an average home, a pyrolysis program every two months should be sufficient.
Tip: This author's friend was lucky enough to inherit a pyrolysis oven when he moved. Although she didn't notice it until I visited her and brought it to her attention, it's worth a look. If you do not have the original manual, you will need to find your oven's serial number near the interior door, often on the frame. Equipped with this, you can download the instructions from the manufacturer's website.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee)
How do I know when it's time to clean my oven?
This should be normal, but here are the telltale signs that your oven needs an urgent cleaning:
- Your oven is emitting fumes or smoke.
- Controls are sticky or difficult to turn.
- You can't see your food through the glass door.
- Charred food and spilled food can be seen on the oven floor.
- Baked foods have a smoky or unpleasant taste.
- You don't remember the last time you cleaned it.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook)
This makes cleaning your oven easier
Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Lynsey Queen of Clean, likes to use an oven liner to protect the bottom of her oven.
"It catches all the grease and dirt and makes cleaning the oven much easier," he says. "It's also very, very easy to clean. Simply take it to the sink and place it in warm, soapy water. I add some white vinegar if it's too greasy. Then let it dry on a line or hang it outside if the weather is nice.
Lynsey is a fan of Lakeland Furnace Liner. It can be cut to size so it fits perfectly in your oven.
There's just one word of caution if you're thinking about using eyeliner. "Bottom liners are helpful, but they will harm your oven if you have a base element," says Karen from The Oven Cleaning Co. "If you have a heating element in the bottom of your oven and adding one of these liners can destroy the element. This is because the liner reflects heat downward, while the purpose of the element is to circulate heat throughout the oven. Therefore, always check your manufacturer's instructions before installation.
In summary, it is important to clean the oven as regularly as possible. "The best thing you can do for your oven is to clean it little and often," says Miele's Sophie Lane. "If your oven does not have a pyrolytic cleaning cycle, clean it regularly. The longer you leave it on, the harder the stains become and can be extremely difficult to remove. Then it's time to grab the rubber gloves and start scrubbing!
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