On a surface level, cleaning is a pretty straightforward task. However, the areas we often forget about are what make the difference between clean and sparkling. One of those often-overlooked areas are ovens, and even more so the racks inside them, which can be left to accumulate food build-up and grease for years.
Manufacturers caught up with our forgetfulness; this is why modern ovens come with self-cleaning settings that burn up to temperatures of 800 F, turning any build-up into ashes. However, this process generates dangerous fumes that could cause serious health hazards. Extremely high temperatures could also break down the chrome in the racks, damaging them beyond repair.
This is one of those cases where an old-school approach to cleaning is the most effective and safest way to get the job done. Read on to learn more.
Best Methods to Clean Oven Racks
There are three primary methods for hand cleaning over racks: using baking soda and vinegar, using a
dryer sheet (seriously), and using a trash bag. Here we’ll discuss each method in further detail.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
What You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Hot water
- Metal sponge
- A towel (optional)
Vinegar and baking soda are the crème de la crème of homemade cleaning solutions. Aside from igniting volcanoes in science fairs, the chemical reaction caused by the contact between them makes for an excellent cleaning agent. The abrasive properties of vinegar break down the most stubborn stains, while the baking soda helps wash them away.
Step 1.
You can start by placing a towel at the bottom of the bathtub to avoid any scratches from the racks. Make sure the towel is long enough for the racks to sit on it.
Step 2.
Place the racks on top of the towel. Alternatively, if you don’t have a bathtub, you could use a sink. If the racks don’t fit entirely in the sink, you may have to wash one half at a time, which could take longer.
Step 3.
Liberally spread baking soda on top of the racks. Once they’re completely covered in a layer of baking soda, bathe them with just enough vinegar to wash the baking soda away. The mix will start bubbling immediately. Wait for it to settle down before moving on to the next step.
Step 4.
Pour just enough hot water into the tub to cover the racks. Then, you need to leave the racks in the tub overnight, so the vinegar and baking soda have more than enough time to break down the grease and food residue that are stuck to them.
Step 5.
The next day, pick up the racks from the tub and scrub them with a metal sponge, focusing on the most stubborn grease and food spots.
Step 6.
Rinse with clean water and let them dry. The racks should be sparkling clean and ready to get back into the oven.
Dryer Sheet Method
What You’ll Need:
- Dryer sheets
- Dish soap
- Metal sponge
- A towel (optional)
Using dryer sheets for anything besides laundry sounds like an internet myth. However, it’s surprisingly effective at breaking down grease and build-up on racks, burnt pans, and pots.
If you’re skeptical about this method, you should test it out first with your own burnt pots. Just fill one with a tiny bit of dish soap and water, then drop a dryer sheet inside and let it sit for a couple of hours. Scrub it down and be amazed —you can thank me later.
Step 1.
As always, start by placing a towel at the bottom of the bathtub. The idea is to avoid causing any scratches from the racks making contact with the tub.
Step 2.
Place five to eight dryer sheets on top of the towel. It all depends on how many racks you’re cleaning, but four sheets per rack should be enough. Then put your dirty oven racks right on top of them. The racks’ weight will keep the sheets in place, and they won’t float away in the water.
Step 3.
Fill the tub with just enough hot water to completely cover the racks and add a little bit of dish soap. It may not look like much is happening, but it’s all about allowing time for the unique cleaning properties of the dryer sheet to start working.
The dish soap helps break down the grease and oil particles. In combination with the softening agents in dryer sheets, they’ll take care of the stickiest of spots.
Step 4.
Let the racks sit in the water overnight. The next day, scrub down the rack with some of the dryer sheets inside the tub. If need be, you can use a metal sponge to work on the more challenging spots.
Step 5.
Rinse the racks with clean water and let them dry before using them again.
Trash Bag Method
What You’ll Need:
- Trash bag
- Over-the-counter oven cleaner
- Patience
- Generous Sunlight
If you want to clean your racks but have plans to use the bathtub soon, then this method is for you. This method mimics the conditions of a self-cleaning oven without overly heating the racks. It’s a safe way to loosen the hard spots without causing too much damage. The only downside is that it requires a sunlight, so it may not be the best choice during winter or on cloudy days.
Step 1.
Put the racks inside a clean trash bag.
Step 2.
Fill one-third of the trash bag with water and then add your choice of over-the-counter oven cleaner, following the recommended amount on the product’s label.
Step 3.
Tie the top of the bag to seal it, and give it a couple of gentle shakes so the product and water can mix.
Step 4.
Leave the sealed bag in the sun for a whole day. The heat generated by the sunlight combined with the cleaner should be enough to simulate an oven’s self-cleaning setting without damaging your racks or generating dangerous fumes.
Now that we’ve covered the three best ways to hand clean your oven racks, let’s turn to common cleaning misconceptions and preventative measures you can take to keep your oven racks sparkling.
Myths About Cleaning Racks
- Avoid using methods that require ammonia. While it has its uses as a cleaning agent, it also produces dangerous fumes that can pose a threat to your health. You’re safer using the self-cleaning setting on your oven. Just make sure everything is well ventilated. This goes both for electric and gas-operated ovens
- It’s often said that leaving your racks sitting overnight on grass is a great way to get the grease loose. However, it does not clean them and may even attract unwanted animals, so avoid this method.
Prevention
Every time you use the racks, they collect food and grease. Regardless of the method, the best way to avoid build-up is by consistently cleaning them, instead of just every now and then. The more you postpone it, the more challenging it is to clean them, because the food and leftovers get harder and form deeper layers.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning oven racks is probably not at the top of most people’s priority list. It may have to do with how hard it is just to scrub down all the layers of burned food and grease. However, these three methods all help break down the food particles with minimal effort. Next time you open the oven, take a good look inside and see if the racks need a bathtub treatment. You can even light up some candles to set the mood.