With the increasing demand for home baking and roasting, many users are finding their ovens seem to be 'not in good condition': a tray of cookies ends up burnt on the edges while the center remains uncooked; even with the temperature and time set correctly, the finished product never quite matches expectations. Some might assume the oven is breaking down.
However, this isn't the case. This situation arises from accumulated grease and food residue that isn't cleaned regularly. These stains adhere to the inner walls, heating elements, and fan blades, and after repeated high-temperature heating, they carbonize into a hardened layer of scale. This scale hinders heat dissipation, leading to reduced heating efficiency and uneven heating of food. Furthermore, each time the oven is heated, these residues are re-baked, producing harmful fumes and odors that contaminate the food.
How to solve this problem?
Two steps are needed: manual cleaning and high-temperature deodorization.
Step 1: Clean the Oven
After the oven has completely cooled and been unplugged, remove all parts and clean them individually. For thick grease buildup on the oven's interior walls, a natural cleaning method is recommended: Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste, apply evenly to the grease, and let it sit for at least one hour. Then, easily wipe it off with a damp, soft cloth. This method is safe and non-irritating.
Step Two: High-Temperature Empty Burn for Thorough Cleaning
After manual cleaning, to remove all residual moisture, microscopic organic matter, and deep-seated odors, a final high-temperature empty burn is necessary. Set the cleaned empty oven to its highest temperature and bake for 15-20 minutes. This process will completely oxidize and decompose any remaining organic matter. Afterward, open the oven door for thorough ventilation.
Safety Tips
'When empty burning at high temperatures, always ensure the kitchen is well-ventilated and that there are no items inside the oven, including baking trays and aluminum foil.' For ovens with self-cleaning functions, this rule applies to their normal heating mode.
Regular maintenance not only improves baking success rates and saves energy but also ensures food safety. It is recommended that home ovens undergo this type of deep cleaning approximately every 50 hours of use, or at least once a quarter, to keep delicious and healthy food at its peak.
