Did you know that the first recorded oven was built in 1490? This simple cooking device was made from brick and tile, warmed by a fire in the bottom. Ovens at that time were simple to maintain and easy to use.
Now, ovens are much more complicated. Although they’re more precise and make for easier and quicker cooking and baking, convenience comes at a cost. Oven maintenance and cleaning can be overwhelming, especially if you use your oven often.
If you want to learn how to take care of your oven, and when to call for help, read on for our complete guide!
Clean the Inside of the Oven
Many ovens nowadays come with a self-cleaning feature. This feature will heat your oven to a high temperature or blast it with steam to burn out all the residual food.
This is a great place to start, but make sure you don’t leave home while your oven is cleaning itself. We recommended doing this once a month.
After the self-cleaning feature is complete, it’s nice to wipe down the inside of your oven. Wait for it to cool completely, and wipe down all residual food from the walls, shelves, and door of the oven.
If you don’t have a self-cleaning feature, you can leave a pan of ammonia inside the oven overnight. In the morning, take it out and wipe away the residue.
Inspect Your Oven
If your door isn’t sealing properly, heat can be escaping your oven. This affects both its cooking efficiency and its cooking time.
When you’re cleaning the oven, check out the gasket and the door lock to make sure they’re working.
In addition, if you’ve had your oven for a while, you should be sure to check your gas line regularly. Your gas line can wear out and leak without you even knowing it. This can be dangerous.
If you notice any signs of wear on your oven, or if you notice a change in how it’s performing, it’s best to call a kitchen appliance repair service.
Clean the Stove Top
You likely use your stovetop most frequently. This means it’s also the dirtiest! Splashing food residue and oil can accumulate and get messy quickly.
If you have an electric stove, remove the coils and bowls. Remember, don’t submerge them in water.
If you have grates and burner tops, remove them too. You can clean them in the sink, or even run them through the dishwasher.
Then, clean the base of the stovetop using warm water with dish soap. First, clean the loose debris and spills. Another cleaning strategy is to use a cleaning fluid spray and let it sit overnight for stubborn messes.
Gently wipe the mess away with a dishrag. Test all your burners after cleaning to make sure they’re working. We recommend cleaning your stovetop at least once a week, or whenever you feel it’s dirty depending on your use.
Keep up With Your Oven Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular oven maintenance and cleaning are essential to staying safe, keeping your device working well, and increasing its longevity. However, despite your best efforts, something might go wrong with your oven and you might have to get it repaired.
If that happens, make Unit Appliance your first call. We’re well versed in a variety of appliances and our licensed repair professionals in Melbourne can fix your machines in no time.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and get an estimate!