Green oven cleaning ideas, please.
One of my readers wrote to me asking for a cheap and green oven cleaning suggestion(the reader doesn't have a self-cleaning oven). I've had a self-cleaning oven in nearly every place I've lived, so I'm pretty clueless on this subject. I found several sites which gave some directions for using baking soda to do the job, but I was wondering if any of my frugal/green readers had some experience with this that they'd like to share.
So, comment away!
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It's been quite a few years since I've had to clean an oven, but I remember turning it on just long enough to warm it up, then off. Put a shallow bowl of ammonia in there and leave it overnight. The next morning much of the yuk is loosened and can be wiped out. Is ammonia "green"?
I really don't know! I know baking soda is, but I'm just not sure about ammonia.
Try making a paste of baking soda, salt, and water and use a nylon scrubby so you won't scratch the oven. It takes some elbow grease, but it works wonders. Bonus: no nasty oven cleaner fumes!
Thank for for the post and suggestions. I did look up ammonia and it isn't considered green due to the flammable and toxic nature. I'll be 'butt' up tomorrow with scrubber in hand.
You're very welcome! That one link I sent you(where you put baking soda in and leave it overnight or something) sounded promising. I hope you get it clean without too much elbow grease. And if you find something that works great, come back here and tell us!
Self-cleaning ovens do the trick with very high heat. So how about a flame thrower?
Ok, ok, maybe not. Baking soda, Barkeep's Friend, and a lot of elbow grease. My enlisted Navy friend swears by Barkeep's Friend; since it's safe to use on pots it must be safe to use on your oven.
Those oven cleaner fumes are NASTY. It's the sort of smell that makes me think I'm better off with a dirty oven.
Frugal hint for those with self-cleaning ovens. Put really dirty pans (only all metal ones) in the oven when you run the cleaning cycle. The pan will be as clean as the oven.