Greasy oven? It’s not just gross — it’s wrecking your roast and wasting your gas.

August 7, 2025

The dirt lurking in your oven isn't just grime — it's stealing your flavour and fuel.

Why Oven Maintenance Changes Everything

Let’s be honest — ovens cop it. Roast chook spills, bubbling lasagna, burnt cheese stuck like barnacles on the bottom tray. Left long enough, your oven becomes less of an appliance and more of a time capsule.

Thing is, all that buildup doesn’t just look bad — it affects how your oven performs. Heat distribution becomes patchy, cook times drag out, and all that smoke? That’s your dinner sharing shelf space with last month’s fat splatter.

Cleaning and maintaining your oven isn’t fancy. It’s practical. Like checking your oil or sharpening your mower blades — it’s what keeps things running in top nick. And done regularly, it’s quicker than you'd think.

The Three Most Common Oven Offenders

1. Grease Build-Up

Grease isn’t just a pain to clean — it traps heat, blocks airflow, and clings to everything. The longer it sits, the harder it bakes on.

2. Burnt-On Food

Those little bits that fall through the racks and never get picked up? Eventually, they char and start smoking every time the oven’s on — leaving your meals with an unwanted “essence of toast”.

3. Dirty Door Glass

You shouldn’t need to open the door to see if your roast pumpkin is caramelised. A clean door means less heat loss and better visibility — simple as that.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Oven Without Fuss

"Tackle one section at a time and let the products do the heavy lifting — no need to scrub like a madman." — Candeece, H Hardware DIY Editor

What You’ll Need

Baking soda
White vinegar in a spray bottle
Old toothbrush
Soft cloth or sponge
Warm water
Rubber gloves (unless you like black fingernails)

Let’s Get Into It

Take everything out – Racks, trays, thermometers. If it’s removable, remove it.
Make a paste – Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water, enough to form a spreadable paste.
Coat the inside – Avoid heating elements. Smear the paste over the oven interior, especially the base and walls. Let it sit overnight (or 12 hours at least).
Racks in the tub – Soak racks in the laundry trough with hot water and dish soap. Come back later with your scrub brush for these.
Wipe and spray – Use a damp cloth to wipe off the dried paste. For any residue, spray vinegar – it’ll fizz and crackle like a science experiment. That means it’s working.
Final wipe-down – Rinse with clean, damp cloths to remove any leftovers. Buff with a dry towel if you’re feeling flash.

How Often Should You Clean It?

If you use your oven every week, aim for a light clean every month and a deep clean every 3–4 months. A quick wipe after messy meals (like baked nachos or roast meat) goes a long way too. Don’t wait for the smoke alarm to tell you it’s time.

Pro Tips Only the Savviest Home Cooks Know

Line your oven’s bottom rack with an oven-safe tray to catch spills.
Use lemon and water to steam-clean naturally – half a lemon in a bowl of water at 180°C for 30 mins. Wipe down afterwards.
Check the door seals – Warped or split rubber lets heat escape and ruins cooking times. Easy fix, high payoff.

Oven Maintenance: Small Habits, Big Difference

Beyond just cleaning, a well-maintained oven saves you time and reduces wear. Here’s what that looks like in real life.

Quick Maintenance Checklist

Inspect heating elements for discolouration or warping
Listen for odd noises when the fan kicks in
Keep venting areas dust-free with an old brush
Replace faulty door bulbs — cooking blind wastes heat

Need A New Part or Some Honest Advice?

Drop into our store — our team is always happy to take a look or line you up with the right tools and parts. We’ve seen just about every oven mishap known to man, and we don't mind having a yarn while we sort you out.

Final Words: It's Not About Perfection — It's About Progress

Keeping your oven clean and humming doesn’t mean it needs to look showroom-new. Your kitchen’s a workspace, not a museum. But a bit of regular love keeps the meals coming quicker, hotter, and smokier for the right reasons.

As the old saying goes — take care of your tools, and they’ll take care of you. Your oven’s no different.

Cheers for reading, and happy scrubbing!

– Candeece