by Using steam power is a common, chemical-free way to clean many household surfaces, but how well does it work on slimy oven interiors? Steam cleaning does not take as long as pyrolytic cleaning and does not produce fumes. It’s a win-win. Read on to learn how to steam clean your oven.
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What Is A Steam Clean Oven?
Some ovens have a steam cleaning option that uses water to loosen the soil and make wiping easier. This option lasts anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours, using heat and water to soften grime and food debris inside the oven. The steam cleaning cycle is very important for “maintenance” between deep cleanings.
Why Steam Clean Your Oven?
The great thing about steam cleaning your oven is that you only need heat and water to do the heavy lifting without using any harsh chemicals or high temperatures. While you should always be cautious when using your oven, steam cleaning your oven is an easy way to keep the mess inside.
How to Steam Clean Ovens
We know everyone has different preferences and devices. So we have four working methods for all ovens and all.
You don’t need a modern oven or special tools to take advantage of steam. For those of you who have these, we’ll show you how to use them.
Use Self-clean Steam
Take a quick look at your oven. Do you see an option for “Steam Clean” anywhere on the control panel?
If so, your model can be steam cleaned. Typically, there is little need to intervene on your behalf.
All you have to do is add water to the oven and turn it to steam. The exact instructions and amount of water depending on your specific model. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide and follow the instructions there.
Steam Clean Oven With Ammonia
For many people, ammonia water is a great solution to cleaning jobs large and small. If you fall into this category, follow these steps:
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to the lowest temperature and turn it on.
Boil the water: Bring the water to a boil in your largest oven-safe plate or pan.
Insert large container: Once the oven is heated, place an oven-safe container (for example, a casserole) on the bottom rack of the oven.
Turn off the oven: Turn off the oven; you no longer need the heat.
Add Ammonia: Take another oven-safe container or bowl and place on the top rack. Pour up to a glass of ammonia. Reinsert the rack.
Close oven door, overnight: Close the oven door and let the steam ammonia work overnight.
Vent the oven: The next morning, open the kitchen window and let the oven vent for at least 15 minutes. The smell of ammonia can be quite strong. Isolate the kitchen to make sure no one breathes ammonia.
Wipe off dirt: Wear gloves. You’ll find that stubborn crumbs come off easily. Mix an ammonia bowl into a water container and dip a sponge into it for extra power.
Clean residue: Rinse the oven with clean water on a sponge or rag until there are no traces of ammonia (odor or liquid) left.
Steam Clean Oven With Vinegar
Are you the kind of person who likes chemical-free cleaning? Then distilled white vinegar will do. Vinegar is acidic, which makes it an ideal non-toxic cleaner
Heat the oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you had a self-cleaning steam option, you would choose it instead.
Choose an oven-safe container: Choose a large bowl, plate, or pan that’s not too deep. You want the steam to churn in the oven. Put it on the top rack.
Mix vinegar and water: Mix one part vinegar and one part water. If your oven is in rough shape, you can use plain vinegar instead.
Pour the solution: Carefully fill the container with the vinegar solution. Don’t overdo it; if it’s full to the brim, it may be difficult to remove later.
Wait and see: leave your oven on and let the vinegar work its magic. Let it steam for no less than 20 minutes and no more than an hour. Monitor regularly. If you see all the liquid in the container has evaporated, turn off the oven.
Let the oven cool and clean: Once the oven is cool, turn on the oven and wipe it clean with a scrubbed sponge. Use a plastic wedge tool to clean up harder dirt. Don’t put off doing this (for example, wait hours after cooling) or the crumbs won’t loosen as easily.
Using A Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner is a handy device that does tedious work quickly. If you don’t have one at home, see if you can rent one.
Remove the rack: Take the rack out of the oven so you can access the entire unit with the steam cleaner.
Prepare the steam cleaner: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fill the tank and let the gadget heat up.
Choice of attachments: If you have a scrub brush attachment, now is the time to use it. It can help with particularly neglected ovens.
Start steaming: Steam slowly on the walls, ceiling, and floor of the oven. Use a sponge, rag, or paper towel to wipe away the dirty water and melted goo.
Bottom line
Steam on its own may not be able to thoroughly clean the hard stuff stuck together inside the oven, but it could be a smart solution for removing light soils. If lasagna or flan spills on the oven floor, or if you prepare a dish that is known to emit greases, such as roast chicken or Thanksgiving turkey, consider steam cleaning using one of the methods above.
