How To: Clean Oven Racks

Oven racks get dirty quickly due to grease and browning. Here are some effective tips to keep those oven racks sparkling clean.

Ovens get dirty quickly. Baked-on grease, sticky grime and burnt food can accumulate after even a small amount of use. Of course, many ovens today are equipped with a self-cleaning feature.

The self-cleaning feature usually uses two to three times the cooking temperature. If the racks are left in place during self-cleaning, the metal may discolor, the surface may lose its luster, and the coating that makes the racks easy to insert and remove may be compromised.

Therefore, whether your oven is self-cleaning or not, it is recommended that you remove the racks and clean them the old-fashioned way. Fortunately, the following methods can help you clean them without much effort.

7 Ways to Clean Oven Racks

Degreasing and restoring shine to oven racks may not be a fun chore, but there are seven reliable strategies to choose from, all using common household items you may have on hand – you should be able to get the job done fairly quickly and without too much effort.

How to clean the oven rack in the bath

• Place an old towel at the bottom of the bath and place the oven rack on it. Fill the bath with enough hot water to cover the oven rack and pour in up to 1/2 cup of dish detergent (or 3/4 cup of washing powder). Let sit overnight.
• If you don’t have enough detergent but plenty of baking soda, sprinkle the oven rack with baking soda and distilled white vinegar. When the bubbling stops, add hot water to the bath, soak the oven rack, and let it sit overnight.
  In the morning, scrub the rack with an old dish towel to remove grease. Brush off stubborn baked-on bits with an old toothbrush. For really stubborn stains, add salt to the toothbrush for a more abrasive effect. Finally, rinse the racks well before returning them to the oven.

• How to clean oven racks with garbage bags and ammonia Outside or in a well-ventilated area, place oven racks in a clean garbage bag. Add 1 pint of ammonia. Seal the bag and let it sit overnight.
  In the morning, open the bag and allow it to air dry as the ammonia fumes will be stronger. Remove the shelves, rinse thoroughly (no need to scrub) with a garden hose or shower, and replace.

How to care for oven racks using dry cleaning paper and detergent

• How to clean the oven rack using dry cleaning paper and dishwashing detergent Place the oven rack in a bathtub, sink, or basin and fill it with hot water. Dab several times with dishwashing detergent to degrease the rack.
• Add a handful of dry paper and stir. The water should begin to bubble. Tip Used dry paper can be used just as well as new dry paper.
  After a few hours or overnight, drain the water and wipe the shelves with the dryer sheets. Any debris that could not be washed off in the bath will slide off easily and the shelves will be shiny as new. Rinse well and replace.

How to Clean Oven Racks with Bar Keeper’s Friend and Water

• How to clean oven racks using Bar Keeper’s Friend and water In a small bowl, combine water and Bar Keeper’s Friend (the original powdered detergent consisting of mineral abrasives, oxalic acid, surfactants, and water softeners) to form a paste.
• Place oven rack in kitchen sink and spray lightly with water. Apply the paste to a sponge or pad and scrub gently to remove grease and grime. Wash and replace the rack.

How to clean oven racks with orange essential oil

• How to clean oven racks using orange essential oil 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 antibacterial compounds called terpenes and has a pleasant citrus scent.
• Working over the sink, apply the paste to the oven rack with a damp sponge. Allow a dwell time of 6-8 hours, then gently scrub to remove grease and grime. Rinse well and replace.

How to Clean Oven Racks with Commercial Oven Cleaner

• How to Clean Oven Racks with Commercial Oven Cleaners Many commercial cleaners produce toxic fumes, so it is best to clean oven racks outdoors as much as possible. A non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative is Carbona biodegradable oven cleaner
• Cover the work surface with plastic sheeting or newspaper. Arrange oven racks in a single layer.
• Wearing rubber gloves, spray the oven cleaner liberally on the racks. Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Scrub the racks with a rag or old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose before replacing.

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