Ovens have proven to be essential tools in kitchens worldwide, from home cooking spaces to professional eateries, and they must be cleaned according to best practices to uphold food safety during use.
Here, the food hygiene experts at online training provider High Speed Training explains the crucial reasons for cleaning your oven, advises on how often this should be done, details the best methods, and offers practical tips.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: “While many might put off cleaning their oven, the hygiene and safety risks can be significant. A clean oven is fundamental to reducing the risk of fires, food poisoning, improving overall food hygiene, and preventing the transfer of allergens between foods. It’s an essential step in ensuring the safety of the meals you prepare.”
How often should you clean your oven?
While a bi-annual deep clean is a good baseline for domestic ovens (more frequent with heavy use), commercial kitchens require significantly more regular cleaning – potentially daily or weekly – to uphold crucial food hygiene standards and satisfy regulatory requirements. It’s important to recognise key warning signs that indicate an oven needs cleaning, regardless of schedule.
Dr Anderson said: “Several signs indicate your oven requires cleaning, such as persistent food odours and food cooking unevenly. A sticky feel to the oven doors or shelves, and an inability to see through the oven door due to grime build-up, are also indicators. Furthermore, if the oven loses heat, takes an extended time to reach the set temperature, or smokes when you turn it on, cleaning is likely necessary.”
Oven cleaning hacks
- Keep on top of spills and food debris by cleaning them up each time you use the oven. This will prevent foods from becoming burnt-on and hard to remove later down the line.
- An oven liner or tray at the bottom of the oven can catch drips and spills.
- Where possible, remember to cover foods with foil or a lid when cooking them in the oven as this will help to prevent splatters and spills.
- Stay safe when using cleaning chemicals: never mix products together, always wear protective gloves and keep the room well-ventilated whilst cleaning. Oven cleaners are corrosive substances and can cause chemical burns if not handled safely.
- Ensure the oven is completely cool before going in with a cloth to prevent burns or scalds from hot surfaces or steam.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the hard-to-reach places inside the oven, ensuring you get into every corner to remove the dirt. A toothbrush is also useful for cleaning the seal around the oven door.
- Most oven temperature knobs and dials are removable – simply pull them off the front of the oven. These can then be soaked and scrubbed in hot, soapy water to remove grease and dirt.
- Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove any loose debris at the bottom of the oven before wetting it with a cleaning solution.
Dr Anderson continues: “Think of oven cleaning as a non-negotiable part of your food safety routine. It directly impacts your risk of food contamination and helps ensure food is cooked properly. Adhering to a cleaning schedule and using the right cleaning approach are essential steps for safe food preparation.”
For more tips, visit High Speed Training Hub, or our article: How to Clean an Oven for more in-depth guidance on how to clean your oven.
