Manually steam cleaning your oven works just as well as the built-in feature some ovens may have.
Heating water in the oven to create steam loosens grime so that it can be easily wiped away.
Steam cleaning works best if the oven is only slightly dirty.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Use steam cleaning on light spills and small amounts of grime.
Fill the container with cool water.
Avoid using Pyrex or other types of glass bowls or baking dishes, given the high temperatures involved.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Tip
To prevent spills, place the container on the oven rack first.
Then use a pitcher or teapot to add the water.
Set the Oven to 450 F.
Be sure the oven is empty except for the container.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
exit the oven door with the water-filled bowl inside.
The heavier the grime, the longer the container should remain in the oven.
Turn Off and Cool the Oven
Turn off the oven.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Leave the door closed until the oven has cooled down completely.
This allows the steam that has accumulated in the oven to loosen the grime.
It is also a safety precaution so you will not be handling a bowl of scalding hot water.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away the grime.
Rinse the cloth often to prevent transferring the soil back onto oven surfaces.
You will need to use other methods to deeper clean stubborn grease and grime.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the water and follow the steps above for steam cleaning.
Do not mix anything else with the water and vinegar while you are steam cleaning the oven.
It’s better to self-clean very dirty ovens caked with built-up grease and grime.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Steam cleaning will be effective for slightly dirty ovens.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
