How To Keep Your Oven Clean & Working Smoothly

Why Oven and Stovetop Maintenance Is Pivotal

For many homeowners, a kitchen oven is one of the most essential appliances they own. Nothing makes a home like a fully functioning oven producing warm, hearty meals that feed the whole family. Unfortunately, ovens, stovetops, and ranges naturally endure significant wear and tear over the years. After all, their purpose is to create and trap extreme heat – a naturally corrosive element.

At Mr. Handyman of Northeast Johnson County, we’ve witnessed countless oven malfunctions and issues throughout the years. These experiences have provided us with helpful insights on how to keep an oven in shipshape condition. The most fundamental preventive measure one can take to keep this appliance in top-tier form is to regularly clean and inspect it for signs of damage.

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Oven

Keeping your oven free of food debris, grease, and natural grime will allow it to run smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Clean ovens also tend to heat more evenly – therefore producing tastier meals. One way to clean your oven is to run a self-cleaning cycle. This method involves heating the oven to very high temperatures to burn off unwanted grease and crumbs. However, this can also put the electrical components under duress – particularly for older ovens. In such circumstances, we recommend adopting a more conservative approach to cleaning your oven.

A Quick Guide to Keeping Your Stove Top Clean

Cleaning an oven or stovetop is not always as simple and fast as it seems. In some cases, stains and gunk are thoroughly embedded and difficult to remove. This mess will leave homeowners with an arduous DIY task that requires hard work, focus, and proper procedure to eradicate undesired stains and buildup.

You’ve come to the right place if you are looking for a tutorial on how to manually clean an oven. Here’s a brief, step-by-step guide on how to complete this task professionally:

Gather cleaning materials, such as a soft-bristled brush/sponge, baking soda, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and paper towels.
Remove the burner covers to access the gunk, grease, and stains trapped beneath. Place the burners into a bucket of warm water soapy water while you’re at it: this will eliminate the accumulated oils and grease they’ve absorbed over time. Also, remove the grated shelves inside the oven and wash them with a soapy sponge before letting them dry on a large rack, towel, or in your dishwasher.
Spray or apply soap to the stovetop and the oven’s interior and scrub diligently with the sponge or brush. Most stains should come off at this step.
For more stubborn stains, this traditional technique works wonders. Combine baking soda and warm water until you have a paste. Apply it to the oven and stovetop and let it sit for at least 4 hours. Then, spray the counters and surfaces with vinegar. The acidic vinegar will chemically react with the baking soda, fizzling away gunk and crud.
Vigorously scrub off the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Your oven should look sparkly and clean if this step is performed properly!

Oven and Stovetop Cleaning Is Just One Aspect of Maintenance

Cleaning your oven and stovetop is a positive first step. Nevertheless, you’ll need to go above and beyond this task to give your appliance the best chance for longevity.

Here are some pro tips on how to maximize your oven’s durability:

Turning an oven on and off increases wear and tear. Try to clump your cooking and baking plans together to reduce deterioration. Keeping an oven heated continuously for multiple dishes is better than repeatedly turning it on and off.

Examine the oven door for seal gaps, tears, and leaks. Any space means the oven is leaking heat – reducing its efficiency and causing it to work overtime to produce uneven results.

A defective door gasket is often the culprit when moisture forms outside the oven door. Faulty door gaskets will also cause inaccurate cooking temperatures and further damage.

Test the temperature gauge’s accuracy by meticulously cooking a basic recipe. The temperature gauge might be broken if the results are uneven. Luckily, the pros at Mr. Handyman are ready and waiting to come to the rescue.

The Mr. Handyman of Northeast Johnson County Difference!

Today, we’ve discussed how to clean, maintain, and inspect an oven like a pro. The upsides of a functioning oven and stovetop are often overlooked and more impactful than they may seem. Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team if you’re dealing with oven issues, stains, or malfunctions that require an expert’s touch. Many oven and stovetop issues may simply be too time-consuming to fit into your busy schedule. Whatever the case, we are ready to rush to the rescue!

Need oven assistance? Don’t waste another minute! Call us today and let us cross this item off your to-do list!