Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Faiza Murtaza
If there was a list of the most difficult things to clean in your kitchen then the oven racks would definitely top it. We do a lot of baking and cooking in the oven, making it pretty dirty, pretty quickly. The grease and grime that gets baked onto the oven racks make it a difficult job when it comes to getting rid of them. But this doesn’t mean that getting your oven racks back to shape is impossible. Below given are some of the tried and tested ways to effectively clean your oven racks:
Table of Contents
1. The Vinegar and Baking Soda Method
Take the oven racks to your bathtub. But do not fill it up with water. Take some baking soda and sprinkle it all over the dirty oven racks. Then you can pour vinegar over the same. This will cause a fizzing effect on the oven racks. Once the fizz dies down start pouring in hot water over the racks. You can stop pouring the water once the racks are completely submerged in it. Let this sit overnight. Next morning shrub way the racks and you will see the grease and grime disappearing from it. For more stubborn dit try scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush.
2. The Ammonia and Trash Bag Method
Only attempt this method if you have a well-ventilated room or an open space to perform the process. All you need is an empty trash bag and a pint of ammonia. Lay your oven racks flat on the trash bag and pour in the ammonia. Make sure to seal it properly or the fumes can leak, causing the unwanted problem. Leave them to sit overnight. The next day opens the trash bag and you can find your racks petty much all clean. You can use a hose to wash it down and remove any remaining trace of ammonia from it. This method is quite easy to carry out, just make sure to take the right precautions and follow the right steps.
3. The Orange Essential Oil Method
The orange essential oil has compounds called terpenes which have strong antimicrobial properties. This can help in removing almost all strong dirt from the tack. But for a more strong result mix baking soda and vinegar and add in a few drops of orange essential oil to it. Now, make this a paste and apply a thick coat of the same on the oven racks. Leave it to sit for six to eight hours before scrubbing it out. The vinegar baking soda and orange essential oil together work as a great team in removing the grime and grease from the oven racks.
4. The Dishwasher Soap Method
This method is pretty straightforward. To carry out this method you will need a bathtub and some old towels. Lay down the towels on the bathtub and place the oven racks carefully on top of it. Now fill in the tub with hot water and add one cup of dishwasher powder to it and give it a good mix. Now let this sit overnight. The next day take a sponge and scrub away the dirt, grease, and grime that is stuck on the racks. Give the oven racks a good rinse and you’re good to go.
5. The Aluminum Foil Method
Yet another method to effectively clean your oven racks is with the help of aluminum foils. Place the oven racks on the bathtub after coving its rungs using aluminum foil. Now fill the bathtub with water and drop in a dishwashing tablet or one cap of dishwashing powder. Let it sit for a few hours. The cleaning agents in the dishwashing tablet will react with the foil to help remove the grease and grime that are baked on to the racks. Now just give the racks a good wipe and the dirt should come right off.
6. The Racks In The Bathtub Method
This is a more advanced version of some of the bathtub rack cleaning methods we have seen before. Lay down some towels on the bathtub and place the oven racks on top of it. Fill the tub with hot water and add 3/4th cup of laundry detergent to it. Now, let the mix sit overnight, and in the morning using a sponge, scrub away the dirt. This will help remove any stubborn stain that is stuck on your oven racks. You can alternatively add baling soda and vinegar to clean the oven racks as well.
Even though each of the above-discussed methods is effective, you can stick to the one that works best for you. It is also necessary to deep clean them every once in a while. You can hire professional house cleaners to do this task for you as well.
Read also: How to repair if the convection oven is defective?
