If you love to cook, you also know how messy your oven and stove can get. Without the proper oven maintenance, your appliance could break or become unusable. To keep your oven in tip-top shape, read on for a few helpful tips that will ensure you get the most out of your stove for years to come.
Keep the Oven Clean
When it comes to proper oven maintenance, cleanliness is key. You should wipe up any spills and drips inside the oven as soon as possible, but make sure that it’s completely cooled down first. All of those small spots of food can catch fire, resulting in a serious hazard if you’re not careful. Keep a close eye on the oven door window since that area can stain once the food heats up if it doesn’t get cleaned off.
Apply a heavy-duty degreaser if you end up with caked or baked-on spots on the window. Wipe the window after every time you cook to make this cleanup process easier.
As for the inside of your oven, you’ll want to remove the racks and soak them in warm, soapy water for around 10 minutes. Don’t leave them in the oven when you run the self-cleaning feature or they could become warped.
If you see a caked-on mess on the racks, scrub it clean using a kitchen sponge. Use special oven cleaners for the inside of your oven, or you can apply a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and water to remove nasty food residue.
Unplug your oven when you clean it to be safe. If you’d rather use the self-cleaning feature, be sure to follow the directions per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ideally, you should thoroughly clean your oven every month to every three months.
Stove Cleaning Tips
The stove is a bit easier to clean than the oven, but make sure you use the right cleaning products based on your manufacturer. In most cases, a light, non-abrasive cleaning solution, and a sponge should do the trick.
Never apply cleaner directly to the stove. Apply it to a cloth or sponge first, then gently work it into the stove as you scrub.
You might be able to remove the control knobs on your stove to get them clean. If so, take them off carefully and soak them in a mixture of dish soap and warm water to remove excess gunk.
Be aware that new stoves use intricate electronics that might get damaged if you get them wet or take the knobs off. Ideally, you should simply wipe your stove’s surface and control panel area clean every day after you cook.
Gas Oven Maintenance
If you’re cooking with gas, there are a few things you can do to improve your appliance’s efficiency. Try to keep the flame as low as possible when you cook to avoid using too much gas.
Keep lids tightly on pots and pans as you cook with gas to trap the heat inside. This will allow you to keep the flame at a lower level and save.
Make sure you use the correct size pot or pan for the corresponding burner. This will ensure that the pot or pan has enough heat applied in reference to its surface space. If you place a small pot on a large burner, you could waste quite a lot of excess gas that you don’t need to use.
Pay attention to the gas flame on your stove. If it turns a yellow or orange color instead of blue, this means your cook top is not running as efficiently as it should. Contact your gas company to see if there’s a leak, then check with your manufacturer to schedule service.
Refer to oven maintenance tips to make sure everything is in excellent shape.
Important Oven Facts
If you see smoke or flames coming out of your stove or oven that seems unusual, it typically means that your appliance needs to be cleaned. Pay close attention to any grease buildup, as this has the potential to start a fire.
Any food debris can cause a fire if it’s not cleaned up, so always make sure your oven and stovetop are as clean as possible. Keep your owner’s manual handy just in case you run into any issues with your oven.
If you have a warranty on the appliance, make sure you have the paperwork and contact number if you need service. Never put your oven on self-cleaning mode when you aren’t at home.
Use a timer whenever you bake something so you don’t accidentally burn your goodies or start a fire. Make sure pots and pans are out of reach of children so they don’t accidentally pull a hot pot of water down, which can cause burns.
The life span of your oven will vary depending on how often you use it and how well you keep it clean and maintained. Ideally, a high-quality oven and stove should last for many years.
Make Your Oven Last
With the proper care and regular oven maintenance, this important appliance should serve you well. Keep everything clean as often as possible and pay attention to your gas usage.
You can use the self-cleaning feature as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When in doubt, call your appliance company for service so you can ensure your oven remains in good working order at all times.
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