If you’ve noticed your oven is starting to stink, then it’s time for a good clean. But just like the inside of your oven, your oven glass needs cleaning too. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple, and won’t take much time with the right supplies.
Why Do I Need to Clean My Oven Glass?
A dirty oven door is an eye-sore, but it’s also a health hazard. You see, as grease and other grime builds up in your oven, it can impede your oven’s ability to cook food properly. As grease and residue builds up, it can lead to uneven heating which can lead to food coming out under-cooked.
But food poisoning isn’t the only health hazard present here. As grease continues to build up, it can serve as a catalyst for an unintentional fire that can burn your house down. Therefore, keeping that grease build-up in check by performing routine cleaning is good for your health and your sanity.
How to Clean Oven Glass
Now that you understand why you should clean your oven glass, it’s time to get to it. First, let’s take a look at the things you’ll need for the job.
What You’ll Need
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- A spray bottle
- A microfiber cloth
- An oven cleaner or degreaser (optional)
- A razor blade (optional)
- A screwdriver (optional)
How to Clean Oven Glass on the Outside
By far the simplest part of the process is cleaning the outside of your oven’s glass. For this, you should only need a rag and some vinegar.
Start by pouring some vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar on the glass, and wipe away any residue. Simple enough, right? Now let’s take a look at the inside the glass.
How to Clean Oven Glass on the Inside
The inside of your oven is where most of the gunk and grime resides, thanks to vapors and spills. You’ll want to start by coating the glass with baking soda, followed by a light spritz of vinegar. You don’t want to spray too much – just enough for the mixture to make a paste-like substance.
Use your microfiber cloth to buff the glass. For bad grease build-up, consider using a non-scratch scouring pad instead.
The mixture of the acid from the vinegar and the abrasiveness of the baking soda should help separate the grease and grime from the glass. Once you’re done, clean up the impending mess and wipe the glass with a clean microfiber cloth.
If baking soda and vinegar don’t do the trick, then you might opt for either an oven cleaner, or some degreaser. Oven cleaners are specifically made for the kind of caked on grease and grime you find in your oven. As per the instructions, let it sit for some time, and wipe it off with a wet sponge.
Degreaser will also work, but you may need the help of a razor blade to pull the grimy film from the glass. Start by generously spraying the degreaser on the glass and letting it sit for a minute to help permeate the film.
Next, grab your razor blade and place it flat against the glass. Apply pressure, and slowly push the razor across the surface of the glass. The degreaser will act as to free the film from the glass, as well as a lubricant for the razor to help prevent scratching.
You should notice the layer of grease peeling from the glass like a sticker, which is oddly satisfying. As you continue working on the glass, reapply the degreaser to help loosen the grease, and follow up by wiping it with a clean wet rag.
Now that you’ve conquered the glass on the inside of your oven, give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back, and take a short break – your job isn’t finished quite yet.
How to Clean Between Oven Glass
After cleaning the glass on the outside and inside the oven, you may notice some leftover build up. What gives?
Well because of the way ovens are designed, there are typically two panes of glass on the door – one on the outside, and one on the inside. This helps keep the heat in your oven. Unfortunately, grease vapors can easily traverse the inner glass and build up between the glass.
To clear the inside the glass, you’ll either need to remove the glass from the door. Once you remove the glass, clean it as normal with some baking soda and vinegar.
If you can’t remove the glass from the door, you’ll need to pull the door off the oven, so you can to get between the glass. For this, you’ll need a screwdriver to unscrew any screws or disengage the locking mechanism that keeps the door on the oven.
Keep in mind this could be a two-person job, as the oven door is heavy. Take care not to lift the oven door by the handle, as it could cause it to snap off.
You’ll also need something long and thin, like a yardstick, to reach up inside the door. Wrap a microfiber cloth soaked in vinegar or another cleaning solution around the yard stick. Gently scrub the glass, and follow it up with a clean dry cloth. Repeat as necessary until it’s clean, and carefully replace the door on the oven.
Avoid Using Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Mode
If you have an oven with a self-cleaning setting, you might be tempted to use it to avoid the tedium of cleaning your oven glass by hand. However, you might want to think twice about using this time-saver.
One of the biggest reasons to avoid it is the carbon monoxide that comes as a result of the oven cooking food particles and grease build up. Self-cleaning also causes the oven to heat up to a very high temperature, and can cause the heating elements to burn out.
If you decide you’re fine with the risks, then you’ll want to double-check that the oven is clear of any residual chemicals and large chunks of food. The whole process will take anywhere from two to six hours, meaning it’s not a good idea if you’re planning on cooking anytime soon. You’ll also want to make sure to turn your range exhaust fan on, or open a window, to keep the fumes and smoke in check.
Finishing Up
Cleaning your oven’s glass is a part of routine maintenance. With a little scrubbing and persistence, you’ll ensure your food cooks properly, and decrease your risk of a kitchen fire. Plus, with a clean oven window, you’ll be able to enjoy watching your cookies rise as they bake in the oven.