Conventional Oven Cleaning
Fill a small glass bowl with 1/2 cup full strength
ammonia, place in oven and close. Let stand overnight,
then wipe loosened dirt with paper towels or newspapers.
If then necessary, rub surfaces with a suitable abrasive,
such as fine steel wool or soap-filled steel wool pad,
wiping off "suds" with paper towels. Then wash with warm
soapy water and rinse. Repeat the process if necessary.
Commercial oven cleaners are helpful if ovens are
very soiled, but they should be used with caution. These
cleaners can damage surfaces outside and around the
oven. Be sure to protect these areas with layers of
newspaper or other materials and cover your hands with
protective gloves. If using most commercial oven
cleaners, never spray in a hot oven (over 200 F.) which
will make it even more caustic and can corrode surfaces.
Never spray on oven light, electric elements, or pilot
light in older gas ranges. Turn off the pilot light when
using spray oven cleaners.
Removable parts, such as broiler pans and racks, can
be cleaned more easily if allowed to soak in a sink or
pan of sudsy water to which a little ammonia has been
added. A lot of soaking is better for the surface, and
easier, than a lot of scrubbing. Never soak aluminum in
ammonia or other alkalis.
If necessary, you can scour oven racks or porcelain
enamel with steel wool or a scouring pad to remove baked-
on grease or food spills which have not come off in
regular cleaning. Occasional use of such abrasive pads,
or scouring powder on badly baked-on soil is OK, but
don't use these too often or scrub too hard for you can
scratch the smooth surface and make it harder to clean
from then on. Do not scour mirror-finished metals, glass,
or baked-on enamel.