Photo: shutterstock.com
It doesn’t take long for an oven to get dirty. If you use the appliance at all, baked-on grease, sticky grime, and burnt bits are likely to accumulate. Of course, these days, lots of folks have a self-cleaning oven—which is great for banishing the gunk from the interior but potentially damaging to the racks.
The self-cleaning function typically utilizes temperatures that are double or triple of that used for cooking. Leaving the racks in place during self-cleaning can discolor the metal, take the shine off its finish, and damage the coating that helps racks slide in and out with ease.
So whether your oven is self-cleaning or not, you’re best advised to remove the racks and clean them the old fashioned way. Fortunately, any of the following methods can get the job done quickly and with a minimum of hassle.
The 7 Best Ways to Clean Oven Racks
Degreasing oven racks and restoring shine may not be a fun chore, but with seven solid tactics to choose from—all using common household items you likely have on hand—you should be able to get the job done fairly quickly and without much effort.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
FAQ About How to Clean Oven Racks
The techniques above ought to get your oven racks sparkling clean. You can also employ these methods on grill racks after a cookout. If you want a bit more info on tackling this chore, consider the answers to these common questions.
Try any of the above-mentioned methods to get baked-on grease off oven trays, such as the one in your broiler.
Spritz distilled white vinegar on oven racks and then sprinkle on an ample amount of baking soda. Allow several minutes of dwell time and then scrub with a bristle brush. Oven racks can become discolored when they have been left in place during a self-cleaning function.
Magic Eraser is an abrasive cleaning tool made of compressed melamine foam. It is safe to use on most metals, so it may be more effective on oven racks than a sponge or rag. However, do not use Magic Eraser on stainless steel or metal with a non-stick coating, or in combination with any chemicals.
Oven racks that are too large or cumbersome to fit neatly in the kitchen sink can be cleaned in the bathtub, and several of the methods detailed above suggest using hot water in the tub with such ingredients as dishwashing soap or baking soda. It’s a good idea to lay an old towel down in the bottom of the tub to protect the surface and make cleaning the tub easier once the oven racks are done.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the thought of dirty oven racks keep you from using this essential appliance! The techniques described above can clean those racks with very little elbow grease on your part.
