Is your oven giving off a bad smell when you use it? Are you noticing a build-up of grease, grime, and old food? When was the last time you gave your over a good old clean?
It is easy to not think about the importance of cleaning your oven until it starts giving you a problem. Many modern ovens give you a reminder that they need cleaning, but oven racks are generally not included in this. Plus, they often require more frequent cleaning because, let’s face it, no matter how amazing the meals are, spills happen!
So now that you have come to clean your oven racks, the question of how to do so can be a tricky one to answer. They are quite cumbersome, especially large commercial ovens, and are not as simple to wipe down as a flat grill.
It is unavoidable and inevitable that oven racks will get dirty. Keeping them clean is crucial for the longevity of your oven, the quality of your food, and adequate hygiene. Find out how to clean oven racks and how often this task should be performed.
Options For Cleaning Oven Racks
There is always a lot to consider when it comes to kitchens. It can seem like there is an endless list of items that need to be kept clean. However, this is vital and cannot be overlooked, especially for businesses that have a legal obligation to customers and staff to have hygienic surfaces and equipment for food production.
The reality is, however, that cleaning oven racks can be time-consuming and challenging. At Cleantastic, we are experienced in undertaking this task and have suitable resources to do so. We can come to your oven and give it a thorough and regular clean to ensure it keeps on producing your delicious food and saves you time and energy. There are some steps you can take if you want to give your oven racks a spruce-up between professional cleans as it is a job that should be done frequently.
There are commercial products on the market that you can buy for this purpose, which generally include easy-to-follow directions. You can also choose from other options depending on the products you want to use or have access to, and the time you have available for cleaning your oven racks.
These can include:
Laundry Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets consist of ingredients that act as lubricants, softeners, fragrances, and anti-static agents for fabrics. They can also work well as oven rack cleaners! This may sound random and contradictory, but they can make for an easy way to clean your racks by softening the food and separating the grime away from the racks.
When using dryer sheet, take the following steps:
- Line a large vessel, such as a commercial
- l kitchen sink or a bathtub, with dryer sheets. You may choose to lay towels under the dryer sheets to protect the surface of your vessel.
- Place the oven racks on the sheets.
- Cover the racks with warm water.
- Mix in ½ cup of dishwashing detergent.
- Leave as is for up to 12 hours.
- Drain the water.
- Rub the racks with the wet dryer sheets.
- Rinse the racks under running water and let them dry.
- Clean the vessel.
If your racks are not extremely dirty, you may get good results using this process without the dryer sheets.
Soaking With Natural Products
Vinegar and baking soda are ingredients that are well-known for their cleaning power, especially when it comes to stains, grime, and charred build-up that can be found in kitchens.
When using vinegar and baking soda, take the following steps:
- Sprinkle a large vessel, such as a commercial kitchen sink or a bathtub, with baking soda.
- Put the oven racks into the vessel.
- Add more baking soda to the surface of the racks.
- Pour enough vinegar over the racks so that all areas are wet.
- The combination of the two ingredients will create a bubbling mixture. When this eases, cover the racks with hot water and soak them for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight.
- Using a scrubbing brush, rub away the debris.
- Rinse the racks under running water and let them dry.
- Clean the vessel.
How Often Do Oven Racks Need Cleaning?
The longer your oven racks go without being cleaned, the harder it is when you do come to clean them. Dirty racks can affect the quality of your food and how well your oven continues to work. Subsequently, it is highly advisable to clean your racks frequently.
This should involve a simple wipe of any obvious spills and stains as soon as you notice them (when the racks have cooled down!), as well as one of the described cleaning methods, which should be done approximately every three months.
Maintain Your Oven Racks With Regular Cleaning
Cleaning kitchen equipment can be a dreaded event, but we are here to help! Having your oven professionally cleaned can do wonders for its productivity and lifespan and can take the load of the task off your shoulders.
When you are pushed for time, cleaning oven racks can easily become a task that migrates quickly down your to-do list. There are steps you can take to keep on top of it, including giving us a call. Remember, regularity is key because grime build-up is inevitable and can be detrimental.
