The thought of cleaning oven racks may be aggravating but this article is all about that difficult task made easy.
Why is it important to clean your oven racks?
While cleaning an entire oven can be a tedious task, cleaning the racks only is a more feasible one with lesser time consumed. Often after we cook or bake in the oven, burnt food, grease and grime accumulate on the surface and racks over time. It is a filthy sight to see and more than that, your food will be cooking in an unhygienic environment.
5 Useful Methods to Clean Oven Racks
For cleaning made easy, there are five proven effective and useful methods to clean your oven racks to make them look shiny and new. They are detailed below:
- Overnight Bathtub Spa
You will need dryer sheets and dishwasher detergent. First of all, place the dryer sheets on the surface of the tub and the oven racks on top of them. Then fill the tub with just enough hot water to submerge all the racks and add a half cup of detergent. Let this sit overnight and next morning, scrub the racks with the sheets. The chemical reaction between the sheets and racks make removing dirt easier.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar Bath
This is similar to the first one but instead uses baking soda and vinegar. Firstly, place the racks on your tub and sprinkle baking soda over them and pour vinegar. The racks will start to foam and once done, submerge them in hot water and let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub them with an old towel or toothbrush to make them look as good as new.
- Trash Bag and Ammonia
This is the most dangerous method of all so you have to be cautious. Place the racks in an unused trash bag and throw in half a cup of ammonia. Seal it tightly and leave it outside overnight by laying it flat. Next morning, wear gloves, open the bags and take out the racks. Place them in a sink or tub and wash them thoroughly with hot water before patting them dry. Dispose off the trash bag and flush the ammonia liquid carefully.
- Hot Water and Ammonia
First of all, preheat your oven to 100⁰F and simultaneously boil a pot of water on your stovetop. Once preheated, add half a cup of ammonia on a heatproof bowl and place it on the top rack. On the bottom rack, place the boiled water carefully.
Let it sit overnight keeping the oven door closed. You should carry out this procedure in a ventilated place. Next morning, using warm water and soap, wash away the debris and dispose off the ammonia carefully.
- Commercial Oven Cleaners
The last commonly used method is commercial oven cleaners. These produce toxic fumes so use them outside your house. Place the racks in a single layer on old newspapers or a plastic sheet. Wearing gloves, spray them with cleaners and let sit for ten minutes. Then scrub them with a scouring pad and wash clean with water.
