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Cleaning your oven offers numerous methods, but most demand significant effort, whether you rely on Bar Keepers Friend, a Scrub Daddy, or other tools and techniques. However, there’s a way to achieve a spotless oven without exhausting yourself. In fact, you can spend most of the time relaxing or focusing on other tasks.
Essential Supplies for Cleaning Your Oven with Ammonia
To execute this low-effort, high-reward hack on your oven, gather the following items:
Ammonia
A deep baking dish, such as a cake pan, capable of holding liquids
An oven-safe bowl
Boiling water
Later, you’ll require basic cleaning supplies, including additional water, dish soap, a durable sponge, and gloves. For now, concentrate on the ammonia, which you’ll place in the baking dish and heat. Before proceeding, heed these critical safety precautions: For gas ovens, extinguish the pilot light and shut off the gas before starting, as ammonia is flammable. If uncertain, avoid this method; electric stoves are safe to use. Never mix ammonia with other substances. Always use chemical cleaners in well-ventilated spaces, ideally with windows open.
Steps to Clean Your Oven Using Ammonia
This technique is widely recognized and showcased, from household blogs to the Today Show, with little variation due to its simplicity. Begin by preheating your oven to 170 degrees. Boil water and place it in an oven-safe bowl on the bottom rack. Add half a cup of ammonia to another oven-safe dish and place it on the top rack. Once the oven reaches 170 degrees, turn it off.
Allow the pans to sit in the oven for several hours or overnight. When ready, remove them and let the oven ventilate for about 15 minutes. (If the racks need cleaning, remove them now.) While airing out, mix a few drops of dish soap and water into the ammonia. Using gloves and a sponge, wipe down the oven’s interior. Any stubborn residue or baked-on food will easily come off after the ammonia treatment. Finish by wiping the oven with a clean, damp cloth.
