Keeping the oven clean is essential for health, hygiene, and even the flavor of the food. Imagine putting a perfectly crafted pizza on an oven rack with several months’ worth of food clinging for life. Yes, an oven cleaning may take care of the sides and bottom of the oven, but those racks are another story.
Oven racks must be removed for cleaning — don’t try to clean the oven with them inside. Remove the oven racks from the oven very carefully. Try not to let bits of baked-on food drop on the floor or let the greasy racks touch the walls or floor. This way, you don't have to do a separate cleaning job.
Spread some newspapers on your patio or driveway and lay the oven racks on top. Per the manufacturer's instructions, spray the racks with your traditional oven cleaner. Leave the cleaner to work for the stated period to break the grease and grime down.
Put racks that you think are still unclean in a plastic bag. The best types for this method include large trash bags and garden leaf bags.
Pour 1/2 cup of ammonia inside the bag with the racks. The ammonia will break down stubborn grime and help open any remaining debris on the racks. While doing this, think about safety. Ammonia is a potent chemical. Keep it away from children and pets, and ensure the area is well-ventilated during cleaning.
Seal the bag tightly so there are no leaks and put it on a shelf in your garage that is out of the way of children and pets. Leave it there overnight with the ammonia.
Take the bag outside the next day—don't open it in your kitchen. With gloved hands, lift the racks from the bag and discard the bag in the trash. The contents may be disgusting, so be careful.
Inspect the racks. If there is still any grime, lightly scrub with a soft sponge or green scrub pad to scrape off the remaining gunk. Scrub until all the grime is gone.
Rinse racks thoroughly enough to remove all traces of the cleaner and ammonia. You may air-dry the racks in a dry, safe, clean area, free from dust, or wipe them with a clean, soft cloth. Once the racks are completely dry, return them to the oven.
Oven cleaning is a tough chore. Once you finish this, you won’t want to tackle the carpet, furniture, or other surfaces. Leave that to your favorite cleaning company. After all, it pays to call a pro!