How to Clean Your Oven's Coils

If you enjoy cooking and baking, knowing how to clean electric oven coils is important. Leaving burnt-on food inside your oven can lead to weird smells and smoke when you turn your appliance on. It can even create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, like E. coli or salmonella. A dirty oven coil can lead to uneven heating and potential fire hazards and reduce the lifespan of your appliance.

This May Also Interest You: What Do You Do With an Old Appliance? How to Recycle Fridges, Washers, Ovens and More

Suggested Tools and Materials

Before you clean your electric oven, you’ll want to gather a few materials:

• Soft brush

• Dish soap or gentle cleanser

• Warm water

• Baking soda

• White vinegar

• Soft cloth or sponge

• Small bowl

• Clean, dry towel

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Electric Oven Coils

1. Turn the Oven Off and Let It Cool

If you’ve just baked something and watched it overflow onto the bottom of your oven, you’ll want to turn off the appliance and give it time to completely cool. It will take between 30 and 90 minutes for your oven to cool down, depending on how long it was on and the temperature.

2. Take the Door Off

Take the door off your oven to make it easier to reach the inside back of your appliance. If you’re unsure how to do this, check with your oven manual. In most cases, you’ll remove the screws that hold the panel onto the door frame near the hinge. Be sure to place the screws in a safe location so you don’t lose them. Lift the door carefully from the oven frame and set it aside. Remove any racks from inside the oven and set them aside as well.

3. Remove the Large Particles

Using a soft brush, sweep away any crumbs and loose food particles that have fallen onto the bottom of the oven into a dustpan. You can also use a vacuum with a hose attachment to clean up charred bits.

4. Mixing Baking Soda and Water

Make a paste of baking soda, dish soap and water until it’s thick and easy to spread.

5. Spread the Paste

Spread the paste evenly over the inside of the oven, especially over the heating element and the bottom panel. Apply a heavier coating on the stained areas and allow the solution to sit for at least 15 minutes. If your oven is extremely dirty, you may want to let the paste sit overnight.

6. Scrub the Area

Using a soft sponge, gently scrub the paste in a circular motion. Add a few drops of vinegar to help break down grease. Dip your sponge into a bowl of warm, soapy water and continue scrubbing until all the coils, the heating element and the sides of the oven are clean. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, as this can damage your components. It's also important to gently lift the heating element to clean underneath. Lift just until you feel resistance, taking care not to lift too far.

7. Cleanup and Wipe Dry

Wipe the coils with a damp cloth to remove any excess soap and baking soda. Rinse away any residue with warm water, and dry the inside of the oven and the element with a dry cloth.

8. Clean and Replace the Door

Don’t forget to clean the door before you reinstall it. Use the same baking soda paste and warm, soapy water. Replace the door to your oven and screw it back into place. Install the oven racks and wipe down the exterior of your stove, including your oven knobs and cooktop.

More Related Articles:

• Should You Buy a Used Appliance? Weigh the Risks and Rewards

• 7 Ways Your Kitchen Will Evolve in the Next 10 Years

• What’s the Difference Between a Warranty and a Protection Plan for Appliances?

• When’s the Last Time You Replaced Your Appliances’ Hoses? Here’s How to Change All of Them

• How to Find the Serial Number on Your Appliances and Gadgets

Tips for Keeping Your Oven Clean

If you use your oven regularly, it may be hard to keep it clean. However, there are a few things you can do to keep the inside of your stove clean longer.

• Immediately clean spills. Don’t allow spills to sit and harden. As soon as you notice a spill, wipe it up using a soft sponge to prevent it from baking onto the surface, making it much harder to remove.

• Use liners and drip pans. Cut oven liners to size to fit the bottom of your oven. Replace the liner as necessary to keep the inside clean. You can also put a baking sheet on the lowest rack to catch any drips from higher shelves.

• Use a roasting bag. When cooking meat, opt for a roasting bag to keep all the juices and splatters contained.

• Clean after each use. Each time you use the oven, allow it to cool until it’s just warm to the touch. Use a sponge to wipe down the inside of the oven to help keep the inside clean and save you time.