OVENS are an essential part of kitchens across the world. However, ‘cleaning the oven’ is often the dirty job that’s put off for another day - if it ever gets done at all.
Given that a clean oven is crucial for upholding food safety standards, food hygiene expert Dr Richard Anderson, head of learning and development at online training provider High Speed Training, is here to explain the crucial reasons for keeping your oven grime-free, advise on how often it should be cleaned and share practical tips on how to achieve spotless results.
“While many might put off cleaning their oven, the hygiene and safety risks can be significant,” he advises.
“A clean oven is fundamental to reducing the risk of fires, food poisoning, improving overall food hygiene and preventing the transfer of allergens between foods.
“It’s an essential step in ensuring the safety of the meals you prepare.”
A clean oven is fundamental to reducing the risk of fires, food poisoning, improving overall food hygiene and preventing the transfer of allergens between foods
— Dr Richard Anderson
How often should you clean your oven?
A bi-annual deep clean is a good baseline for domestic ovens, though more frequent cleaning will be required for ovens in heavy use.
Commercial kitchens require significantly more regular cleaning – potentially daily or weekly – to uphold crucial food hygiene standards and satisfy regulatory requirements.
It’s important to recognise key warning signs that indicate an oven needs cleaning, regardless of schedule.
Dr Anderson says: “Several signs indicate your oven requires cleaning, such as persistent food odours and food cooking unevenly.
“A sticky feel to the oven doors or shelves, and an inability to see through the oven door due to grime build-up, are also indicators.
“Furthermore, if the oven loses heat, takes an extended time to reach the set temperature, or smokes when you turn it on, cleaning is likely necessary.”
What’s the best way to clean an oven?
Chemical oven cleaners can be highly effective and are often the best way to clean an oven, especially one with lots of burnt-on grease, but they do come with safety hazards. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using chemical cleaners in order to protect your health and prevent the introduction of chemical hazards in your food.
Natural oven cleaners can be just as effective as chemical products and are often half the price. Making a simple baking soda paste and then spraying the oven with vinegar or lemon juice can remove burnt-on foods without causing health and safety hazards.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, then you can run the self-cleaning setting every few months to help keep on top of your oven cleaning. This setting works by burning off any food or grease inside the oven at a very high temperature. When the oven has cooled down, you then simply wipe away the mess with a clean cloth, without the need to scrub.
Oven cleaning hacks
- Keep on top of spills and food debris by cleaning them up each time you use the oven. This will prevent foods from becoming burnt-on and hard to remove later down the line.
- An oven liner or tray at the bottom of the oven can catch drips and spills.
- Where possible, remember to cover foods with foil or a lid when cooking them in the oven as this will help to prevent splatters and spills.
- Stay safe when using cleaning chemicals: never mix products together, always wear protective gloves and keep the room well-ventilated whilst cleaning. Oven cleaners are corrosive substances and can cause chemical burns if not handled safely.
- Ensure the oven is completely cool before going in with a cloth to prevent burns or scalds from hot surfaces or steam.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the hard-to-reach places inside the oven, ensuring you get into every corner to remove the dirt. A toothbrush is also useful for cleaning the seal around the oven door.
- Most oven temperature knobs and dials are removable – simply pull them off the front of the oven. These can then be soaked and scrubbed in hot, soapy water to remove grease and dirt.
- Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove any loose debris at the bottom of the oven before wetting it with a cleaning solution.
Dr Anderson continues: “Think of oven cleaning as a non-negotiable part of your food safety routine.
“It directly impacts your risk of food contamination and helps ensure food is cooked properly.
“Adhering to a cleaning schedule and using the right cleaning approach are essential steps for safe food preparation.”
For more tips, visit High Speed Training Hub.
