When barbecue season slows down, we start looking forward to fall and holiday cooking. Before you dive into the fall season, make sure your oven is clean and equipped for your next culinary adventure. Regular oven maintenance is critical to keeping your appliance operating efficiently and staying clean. If you already know your oven is in need of repair service, let Action Appliance Repair take care of the rest.
Top 6 Oven Maintenance Tips
Follow these simple oven maintenance tips to ensure proper maintenance of your appliance. Regular oven maintenance will keep your appliance in good working condition for years to come.
#1 Clean Door Panel
Regular cleaning of the door panel will help prevent food spillage from leaving stains. When food splatters are left untouched, the heat bakes these spills into the glass, eventually staining the door and making your oven look old and worn. Keep the front panel, window, and door glass clean using a heavy-duty degreaser when necessary. This easy oven maintenance will keep your oven looking sharp and make more in-depth cleaning a little easier.
Get step-by-step instructions for how to clean between glass on oven doors.
#2 Clean Exterior Control Panel
The Exterior Control Panel and knobs can be cleaned with soap or a light-duty cleaner. Be careful not to use abrasive pads or cleaners, as they may scratch off or wear the decals from the panel. Although you may be tempted to remove the knobs from the stove for cleaning, it is recommended to leave the knobs in place. Clean carefully around them, but take care not to remove knobs to avoid damaging the electrical system within the stove.
#3 Clean Stove Top
Part of ongoing oven maintenance happens on the cooktop. Stovetops, burner covers, and grates should be cleaned regularly. Follow these simple tips:
- For a smooth electric cooktop, light cleaning may be done with vinegar spray and a paper towel or lint-free rag. For heavy cleaning, use a razor scraper for stubborn stuck-on foods, then follow with a cooktop cleaner and protectant.
- For gas cooktops, a surface cleaner may be used to clean around the burners, being careful to avoid getting liquid in the igniter. Do not use too much water- especially around the knobs! Water can drip inside and cause burner switches to short out.
- Burner covers and grates can be removed and soaked overnight in a mixture of water and gas grate cleaning solution, such as Bar Keeper’s Friend. After they’ve soaked, use a scrub brush or abrasive pad, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a towel.
- Use a damp towel to wipe away debris from the burner heads. For debris in between the head slots, scrub with an old toothbrush, or a paper clip for tougher stains. Ensure the burner port is free from obstructions so the burner ignites properly.
#4 Clean Interior
An important oven maintenance tip is to always clean up spills and messes on the interior of the oven as soon as possible. A thorough cleaning of the interior should be done 3-4 times per year, more often if you do a lot of oven cooking. Never use soaps or detergents on the inside of your oven.
Clean Your Oven With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great cleaner because it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. To create a natural oven cleaner, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread the paste over the interior of your oven, including the glass door. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth or sponge.
Self Clean Function
If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, carefully follow manufacturer instructions and only use recommended oven cleaners safe for the interior. Most often, racks should be removed during self-cleaning oven cycles and can be washed in the sink.
The self-cleaning cycle usually takes a few hours. It’s a good idea to run this cycle well before any holiday cooking, as the extremely high temperature required can lead to failures. Learn more about self-cleaning oven cycles here.
#5 Replace Light Bulbs
Check your owner’s manual to replace light bulbs. Most can be found easily and may be covered by a glass protective cover. Most ovens use a basic 40-watt appliance bulb.
