Who wants a clean oven! I do!
Let’s face it, you think that something is burning every time something is cooking in the kitchen. It isn’t your fault, and no you have not turned into your mother.
Your Oven Is Dirty!
You only have one option. Clean it.
Do you remember television commercials…what are those? Right?!!!
So there was this one, of a “housewife” slaving away inside an oven, she was styled typically, in a pre-social-conscience era…otherwise, a totally sexist way. She had curlers in her hair…you know what I’m talking about.
But.. there she was, scrubbing away, and along comes the solution!
The Pull’N Clean Oven!
Clean without slaving…and feel like a queen.
Total barf right?!!!? No way you can get away with a byline like that today. Luckily modern advertising has kinda sorta begun to reflect a more diverse culture. And on a high note….
Nowadays, Ovens Clean Themselves!
But there are a few things you have to do to make it pain free.
Ovens have come along way. No longer do you have to lug in wood and pack it into the central hearth. These modern fan-dangled kitchen appliances come from the future! Some even have a settings button dedicated to just pizza! To think that pizza is such an American staple that they dedicated precious console real estate for a button just to make it easier to set a temp and time on your own. (Perfect for teenagers.)
THESE ARE MUSTS to Clean Your Oven.
Must 1. Pour a glass of your favorite beer or wine.
- Let’s face it, this is going to be both harder and easier than it has ever been. On one hand you don’t really have to do anything, and that can be quite a challenge for your patience, much less, your sense of boredom. So I suggest that you set yourself up for success right away with one of your favorite beverages. It does not have to be alcoholic, and a root beer or tea would be cool, too.
Ok, so that last one wasn’t super serious, how about…
Must 2. Clean your oven on a cold day!
- This is not totally a deal breaker, but who wants to heat an already hot house in Texas? I don’t SO it makes sense to just do it on a cool day or over night. Just set the clean, as yes, it really IS that simple.
Must 3. Have your paper towels and a spray bottle ready.
- Using the automatic clean setting will produce an ash. This is easily cleaned up after the oven cools. Just make a mixture of vinegar and water and put it in the bottle. This will help pull up anything that didn’t get vaporized. If it is super stubborn then produce a poultice (like a paste) out of baking soda and water, and letting it sit overnight will do the trick to loosen that stuff up.
Must 4. Remove your racks.
- Leaving them in could cause damage. It get as hot as the sun in that thing…ok not that hot, but close enough. I know it is a pain, but just take your poultice and rub it on the racks in your sink. Let them sit during the cleaning cycle or even longer if they are cruddy. Give them a good scrubbing with a scrubbing pad before returning them to the oven.
BUT WHAT IF MY OVEN IS OLDER?
You can try the all natural approach with your vinegar wipe and then a poultice soak…or get out the ol’ industrial toxic cleaner. Remember to wear your gloves and goggles, and if you’re sensitive, a mask as well.
Either way, place a bunch of newspaper around the oven on the floor, because this stuff gets messy and yucky. Dripping ooze from a horror movie will form and you will wonder if you should be scared. Don’t. You are just cleaning your oven.
VENTILATION IS IMPERATIVE!
IF YOU ARE USING A CHEMICAL CLEANER, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PROPER VENTILATION. IF YOU ARE STICKING YOUR HEAD IN THE OVEN AFTER SPAYING YOU WILL REGRET IT. EITHER WEAR A PROPER RESPIRATOR OR DO NOT DO IT. LET THE SPAY DO THE JOB AND KEEP YOU HOUSE WELL VENTILATED.
SO in conclusion…
I know, it is hard to believe that something as simple as a clean oven can have such an impact on your quality of life. But think about it for just one second: you have a sense of ownership of that oven that will get you cooking more! You never have to cringe at the smell of the stove because there isn’t any smoke coming from it. Your roommate/partner doesn’t have to ask you if dinner is burning in the kitchen every time you cook (not that I’m speaking from experience…).
It is time to set aside some time on Sunday afternoon and make sure that everything gets cleaned up before Monday morning hits so you can kick start your week with a clear head and great attitude. The self-clean feature will do all the work while you sit back relaxing or catching up on whatever has been keeping you busy this past weekend – no scrub!
HOPE THIS HELPS
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With this Homeowner Helper Tip, you can feel confident tackling one of life’s most hated tasks with ease. Please check my other Homeowner tips here. You will find tips and tricks for other home maintenance issues that may come up in your future!
And as always…
Here’s to successful homeownership, please share with your friends and family. And when they ask if you know of any great places to find a home in Austin and Central Texas, you tell them that…
Kathy Knows.