The Complete Guide to Oven Care and Maintenance

Whether you are a seasoned chef or a casual cook, taking proper care of your oven is essential for its longevity and performance.  Keep your oven in peak condition and cook your favourite dishes to perfection with our complete guide to oven care and maintenance. We’ll walk you through a series of practical oven care tips, from cleaning techniques to easy DIY oven repairs.  Let’s dive in!

Daily oven care

Over time, food spills, grease, and grime accumulate in your oven, affecting its performance and even posing safety risks. By making oven cleaning a routine task, you’ll maintain a hygienic cooking environment and prevent unpleasant odours. Here are some essential tips to get started:

Wipe down spills immediately

When spills occur during cooking, wipe them up promptly with a damp cloth or sponge. This prevents the spills from hardening and becoming difficult to clean later on. 

Utilise oven liners

Consider using oven liners to catch any potential spills or drips. These liners are easily removable and can be cleaned separately, reducing the need for deep oven cleaning.

Clean grease build-up

If you notice grease or oil splatters on the oven surfaces, wipe them off using a mild dish soap and warm water solution. Gently scrub the affected areas with a soft cloth or sponge.

Clean oven window

Regularly clean the oven window using a glass cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe it down with a microfibre cloth to remove any smudges or fingerprints.

We recommend: Aktivo Glass & Window Cleaner for a fast drying and streak free finish.  

Give your oven door a wipe down

Keep the oven door clean by wiping it down regularly with a damp cloth. This helps remove any splatters or stains that may accumulate on the door during cooking.

Keep your oven odour free

If you notice any lingering odours in the oven, sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom surface and leave it overnight. The baking soda will help absorb any unwanted smells.

Care for your oven with a deep clean every 3 months

While regular wipe-downs are necessary, deep cleaning your oven is equally important. Deep cleaning eliminates stubborn grease, stains, and burnt residue, ensuring your oven stays in prime condition.

Give your oven a deep a thorough clean every 3 months or so. If you frequently cook or bake with ingredients that tend to create more residue, such as greasy foods or dishes that have a tendency to splatter, you may need to clean your oven more frequently.

If you use your oven sparingly or primarily for reheating, you can extend the time between deep cleanings.

How to deep clean your oven

To get started you will need:

• Gloves
• Scrub brush or sponge
• Plastic spatula or scraper
• Baking soda & vinegar or oven cleaning solution
• Dish soap
• Damp cloth

Step 1: Remove your oven racks

Take out the oven racks and set them aside. These will be cleaned separately.

Step 2: Prepare you oven

If your oven has a self-cleaning function, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to initiate the self-clean cycle. This process will heat the oven to high temperatures, effectively burning off residue and reducing it to ash. If your oven doesn’t have a self-cleaning function, continue with the following steps.

Step 3: Apply your cleaning solution

You can make an effective, non-toxic oven cleaner using pantry staples. You will need baking soda and water. The baking soda acts as an abrasive and the water softens baked-on grime and loosens food particles. Mix together a cup of baking soda and a small amount of water until it forms a paste. Then, generously apply the natural cleaning paste inside your oven. Make sure you include the rails, back corners of your oven and glass oven door. You can use a paint brush or an old toothbrush to reach tough spots. Avoid the heating elements.  Leave overnight.

For stubborn build up, you may want to use a commercial oven cleaner. We recommend Aktivo Easy Off Oven/BBQ cleaner. Its powerful, non-caustic and low fuming formulation lifts away grease, oil and carbon build-up.

Step 4: Clean the oven racks

Soak your oven racks in a deep sink or laundry tub with hot water and dish soap. Scrub them with a brush to remove residue and grease.

If your oven racks have seriously tough stains, you can add 1 cup of laundry powder to the water.  L eave the oven racks to soak overnight. Then use a soft sponge to lift away caked on grease. Any tough spots can be tackled with a toothbrush. Rinse and let dry.

Step 5: Wipe down surfaces

Once your cleaner has had time to work on all interior surfaces, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away residue.  Use a plastic spatula or scraper for stubborn, stuck on residue.

Step 6: Remove any remnants with vinegar spray

Place some white vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly spray the oven interior. If there are any left-over bits of baking soda, you will notice that it will start to bubble (this is normal). Then take your damp cloth and do a final wipe down to remove all remaining remnants of baking soda or cleaner.

Step 7: Replace the oven racks

Once the oven is completely dry, place the clean oven racks back inside.

Step 8: Give the exterior a clean

Using a damp sponge, give the exterior of your oven a clean. If you have a stainless-steel oven, you can lightly spray with Aktivo Stainless Steel Polish. The polish repels dirt and dust and removes finger marks for a long-lasting shine.  Your oven is now perfectly clean and ready for use

Simple oven repairs and maintenance care you can tackle yourself

Safety first! Before you start any oven repair, make sure you disconnect your appliance from the power source. If your appliance is hard wired, turn off the oven’s circuit breaker. This will ensure your safety when working with electrical elements.

Experiencing issues with your oven can be frustrating, but before calling a professional, it’s worth considering some simple repairs you can do yourself. Not only can these repairs save you time and money, but they also empower you to take control of your kitchen appliances.

Oven not heating properly

If your oven is not heating up or is taking longer than usual to reach the desired temperature, a faulty heating element may be the culprit. Begin by checking the power supply and thermostat settings to ensure they are functioning correctly. Check the condition of the heating elements and promptly replace any that show signs of damage or malfunction.

Note: In some Australian states, it may be a regulated requirement that the task is performed by a qualified electrician. These regulations aim to ensure safety and compliance with industry standards. Check the regulations in your state first.

Uneven cooking or hot spots

If your oven consistently produces unevenly cooked dishes or has noticeable hot spots, the oven rack supports may be misaligned or damaged. Remove the oven racks and examine the rack supports for any signs of misalignment or damage. If the supports are misaligned, adjust them to ensure the racks sit level. If they are damaged, consider replacing them.

Control panel malfunctions

If the control panel on your oven is unresponsive, buttons are not functioning, or error codes are being displayed, it may require a reset or component replacement. Start by turning off the oven and unplugging it from the power source. Leave it disconnected for a few minutes to allow for a complete reset. Reconnect the power and check if the control panel is now functioning properly.

If the reset doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to replace specific control panel components.  Consult your oven’s user manual to see if this is a task you are confident with tackling or reach out to a qualified service technician.

Loose or damaged hinges

If your oven door is loose or doesn’t close properly, it could be due to loose or damaged hinges. Inspect the hinges for any visible damage or signs of wear. Tighten loose screws or consider replacing the hinges if necessary.

Check seals and gaskets

A worn or damaged oven door gasket can cause heat loss and affect cooking efficiency. If you notice gaps or tears in the gasket, it’s time to replace it. Replace your oven door seal in 4 easy steps with our easy guide.

Replace your globe

A well-lit oven means less time opening the door to check if your food is cooked (which also lets the heat out and amps up your energy costs!). If your oven globe burns out, simply install a new one. Make sure to use a  globe that is designed specifically for ovens and ensure the wattage and cap fitting are the same as your existing globe. Take the guesswork out of changing your oven globe with our step by step guide.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions

Always refer to your oven’s user manual for specific maintenance guidelines and recommendations from the manufacturer. Different oven models may have unique requirements, so following the instructions will help you maintain your oven properly.

By following these care and maintenance tips, you can maximise your oven’s efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend its lifespan. Regular cleaning, proper usage, and proactive care will help ensure enjoyable and hassle-free cooking experiences for years to come.

Find all your spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares

Statewide Appliance Spares is your go-to destination for all your oven and cooktop spares. The biggest range of spare parts for all the top brands, ready for fast Australia wide shipping.  Need help finding the right spare part for your home appliance? Our friendly team are on hand, ready to help! Call us on Free Call 1800 005 220.

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