Oven racks can quickly become covered in grease, dirt, and brown particles, but it shouldn't take much time or effort to remove them. Learn how to clean your oven rack in a simple and natural way!
What is the best way to clean oven racks?
Degreasing oven racks and restoring their shine may not be a pleasant pastime. However, with a few solid methods you can choose and home remedies you have on hand, you should be able to complete the task relatively quickly and without much fuss.
With a few simple tricks and home remedies you can clean your sink perfectly. How -read here!
In the bathtub with detergent
Place an old towel on the bottom of the tub and place the oven racks on top. Add enough very hot water to cover the oven racks, then add up to 1/2 cup (125 mL) dishwashing detergent (or up to 3/4 (190 mL) cup laundry detergent). Leave to work overnight.
In the morning, scrub the grates with an old tea towel to remove grease and dirt. Use an old toothbrush to remove stubborn, baked-on dirt. If there is a lot of burnt on, you can add salt to the toothbrush to intensify the scrubbing. Finally, rinse the racks well before putting them back in the oven.
Clean oven rack with essential oils
In a small glass bowl, make a paste of baking soda, vinegar, and a few drops of orange essential oil. This natural oil contains powerful antimicrobial compounds called terpenes and hasa pleasant scent. Apply the paste to the oven racks over the sink with a damp sponge. Leave it for 6 to 8 hours and then clean it lightly to remove grease and dirt. Rinse well and reinsert.
Baking soda is an excellent oven cleaner
Baking soda is inexpensive, does not damage metal surfaces, and has high cleaning power without harmful chemicals. This is the best and easiest way to clean your oven racks.
- Baking soda breaks down grease, dietary proteins and stains that settle on dirty oven racks.
- Water softens the dirt and caked-on food particles so they can be easily wiped away.
- Baking soda is an affordable, natural cleaner that is kind to both your wallet and the environment.
Cleaning the oven rack with baking soda – here’s how to do it right:
- Fill the tub with a few inches of hot water (enough to cover the racks).
- Depending on the size of the tub, add 1-3 cups of baking soda (more water = more baking soda). Stir to dissolve.
- Place racks in tub (add a little more hot water if racks are not completely covered).
- Soak the racks in the baking soda solution for at least 8 hours (or overnight).
- Wipe the metal with a clean rag, sponge or stainless steel pad.
- Rinse and dry them before putting them in the oven.
What not to clean with baking sodafind out here!
There are some very questionable instructions on the internet on how to clean the oven rack. Suggestions range from harmful to downright dangerous. Do your oven racks a favor and skip these oven rack cleaning recommendations:
1. Self-cleaning oven cycle
Here's how:Run the oven self-cleaning cycle with the oven racks in the oven.
Why this is not recommended:The oven self-cleaning cycle is not recommended for cleaning the racks. The manufacturer's instructions state that all oven racks should be removed before self-cleaning. This is because the extreme oven temperatures during the cleaning cycle burn the food inside the oven. Oven racks are made of a different material that can be damaged by heat. Self-cleaning can even damage the interior of the oven if the racks remain in contact with the walls.
2. Ammonia and garbage bags
This is how it should be done:Place the oven racks in a large, clean garbage bag and add a few cups of ammonia. Seal the bag tightly and leave it overnight. The ammonia vapors circulate to loosen the browned food. Hose down the shelves to remove dirt.
Why this is not recommended:Ammonia fumes are harmful to the respiratory system and can even be fatal! This cleaning should only be done outdoors in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the dangerous fumes and entering your home. When working with ammonia, you should also wear gloves, safety glasses, and old clothing.
3. Bathtub with baking soda and vinegar
This is how it should be done:Place dirty oven racks in an empty pan, sprinkle with baking soda and pour vinegar over them. Once the foam disappears, fill the tub with warm water and soak overnight. Clean the grates with a brush to remove dirt. Rinse and dry.
Why it is not recommended:It's an ineffective combination of reactive ingredients (vinegar/acid + baking soda/base) that destroy each other, leaving a tub full of water with a tiny bit of sodium acetate left behind. Skip the vinegar and just use baking soda!
