Those wishing for a fast, easy, non-toxic way to get it done may be considering steam cleaning, which has become a go-to technique for cleaning (and disinfecting) lots of household surfaces. So, can you effectively steam clean your oven? The answer is possibly—depending on the type of oven you have, the steam-cleaning method you use, and the amount of gunky buildup you’re contending with. Read on for three approaches to steam cleaning the oven.
If Your Oven Has a Steam-Clean Setting:
Modern ovens may have an automated steam-clean setting in addition to a self-cleaning function. Steam cleaning is generally intended for routine maintenance, with the self-cleaning mode (called pyrolytic cleaning, which uses very high heat to turn residue into ash) for tougher stuff.
How to Clean a Glass Stovetop
Steam cleaning is much quicker and, because it uses lower heat, a safer alternative.
If You Have a Handheld Steam Cleaner:
Handheld steam cleaners are useful for cleaning and disinfecting everything from curtains and upholstery to hard surfaces such as countertops. If your oven has no steam-clean function but you have a steam cleaner, you can use the device on your oven’s glass, metal, and enamel, employing the brush or scraper attachment on grease and baked-on crud. Just remember that steam is hot! Be careful when using the device inside the oven, especially if reaching in toward the back wall. To clean an oven with a handheld steam cleaner:
If You Don’t Have a Steam-Clean Setting or a Steam Cleaner:
No fancy steam-clean function or handy steam-cleaning device? You may still be able to harness steam power to clean your oven, especially if the grimy buildup isn’t too bad. Even if you must ultimately resort to using a conventional product on stubborn stuff, steam cleaning first may enable you to speed through the nastier process. All it takes is a wide oven-safe pot or baking dish (a casserole dish is ideal), water, and distilled white vinegar. To steam clean your oven:
Bottom line
Steam alone simply may not have the oomph to thoroughly clean tough, stuck-on stuff from the interior of your oven, but it can be a smart solution for removing light soils. Consider steam-cleaning with one of the methods described above if a lasagna or fruit cobbler should overflow onto the oven floor—or you prepare a dish known to give off grease, like roast chicken or that Thanksgiving turkey.
