How to Clean an Oven

The Baking-Soda Method (Gentlest)

Make a paste of baking soda and water, spread it over the interior (avoiding heating elements and the fan), and let it sit several hours or overnight. The paste loosens baked-on grease so it wipes away, and a little vinegar sprayed on any residue helps lift the last of it. It's slow but safe for most ovens and skips harsh fumes.

The Self-Clean Cycle

Many ovens have a self-clean cycle that heats to a very high temperature to turn residue to ash. It's effective but runs hot for hours, produces smoke and odor (ventilate well), and can stress oven components — use it sparingly, and never with the racks inside.

Racks & Glass

Soak racks in hot, soapy water (a bathtub works for large ones) and scrub. For the door glass, a baking-soda paste lifts the baked-on film between the panes' inner surface — gently, so you don't scratch it.

What to Avoid

Don't use harsh oven sprays on a self-cleaning oven's interior coating — it can damage the finish. Keep any cleaner off the heating elements and the fan, and check your manual for anything the manufacturer warns against.

The Easy Way

The oven is the single most-avoided kitchen job, which is why it's one of the most-requested add-ons. A professional handles it as part of a kitchen deep clean.