Most of us dislike cleaning the oven as much as we dislike cleaning the bathroom. It is messy and time consuming, but it must be done.

Kitchen stoves are expensive and keeping them in good working order prevents problems and can extend the life of the appliance.

Spills and burnt food can lead to smoke and flames inside of the oven and cooking in a dirty oven can affect the taste of the food you are cooking.

Many people buy self-cleaning ovens and run the cleaning cycle often. While this is convenient it may not be a good idea. The cleaning cycle heats the oven to an extremely hot temperature and can cause damage to the components, which can lead to an expensive repair bill. There are differing opinions on this but many repair centers say they have seen damage to ovens caused by using the self-cleaning feature.

Another reason not to use the self-cleaning feature is the fumes that are released during the cleaning cycle. Most oven manufacturers recommend that you maintain good ventilation during the cleaning cycle which may not be possible for everyone.

Cleaning

Read the manufacturers instructions on how to clean your oven. Each may have detailed recommendations for their specific model.

To avoid using harsh chemicals to clean the oven, which can release toxic fumes and damage the oven’s interior coating, you can make your own cleaning solution.

Mix 1 and 1/4 cups of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of dish soap.

Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands while cleaning.

Remove the racks and take them outside or put them in the bathtub. Fill a spray bottle with the cleaning solution and spray the oven racks. Let them soak while you clean the oven.

Spray the inside of the oven with the cleaning solution, take special care not to spray it on the heating elements or the gasket around the oven door. Spray only the oven walls, door, and bottom. Let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes to loosen grease and debris. Then use a soft cloth to clean the oven.

Once the oven is clean wash the racks and put them back in the oven.

If there is a warming or storage drawer under the oven, wipe or vacuum up any loose debris that has accumulated. Then, wipe the compartment with a damp cloth.

Care for your oven in between cleanings, as spills happen, quickly wipe them up when the oven is cool enough to do so.

You can also take measures to prevent spills before they happen, use lids or foil to cover food while it is cooking. Place baking dishes and pans on a baking sheet so that if there is a spill it will not fall to the oven floor. Wash the baking sheet with soap and water when you are finished cooking.

Clean your oven three or four times a year to keep it in top working condition.