Everyone dreads cleaning their oven, and most of us would rather not admit how long we leave between cleans. But despite its reputation, it doesn't actually have to be a big, complicated chore.
In fact, according to meal-kit delivery service HelloFresh Ireland, you can have your oven looking good as new with a few common household ingredients.
"You don't need a specialist product to get your oven looking brand new; you just need three ingredients, and you probably already have them at home,” explains Reema Dutta Gupta, culinary expert and recipe developer at HelloFresh Ireland.
Reema suggests using 180g of baking soda and slowly adding water until you get a paste. For extra tough grime, add a splash of vinegar to help make a more foamy solution.
“Once you have removed the racks, spread the mixture all over the interior of your oven, avoiding the heating elements,” she says. “Leave it for a couple of hours, or if you have the time, overnight works best. Then simply wipe away with a damp cloth, and your oven should look brand new."
How often should you be cleaning your oven?
According to research from Brillo, when it comes to household cleaning, the oven was the chore most likely to be avoided, with 39 per cent of Irish respondents admitting it was the task they put off most. But Reema says putting it off can come at a cost.
"Every six months or so, your oven will likely benefit from a deep clean, though this can vary depending on how often you use it and the type of cooking you do," she advises. "Fortunately, it's usually pretty obvious when your oven is due a clean.”
Rather than sticking to a strict schedule, it's often easier to pay attention to the little signs that it's time for a clean.
“Check to see if the racks are blackened with burnt-on food. Can you barely see through the door anymore, and has it been that way for months? If you answered yes to either of those, it's time to get cleaning.”
If you do end up leaving your oven dirty for longer than you should, Reema warns that burnt-on food can release carbon-based fumes that may affect the taste of your meals and, in poorly ventilated kitchens, could impact your health.
