Have you ever pulled a tray out of the oven and wondered why half your lasagne is bubbling away while the other half looks like it’s still defrosting? Chances are, your heating elements are waving a big, greasy flag for help.
Every drip of cheese, splash of oil, and rogue potato chip eventually bakes onto those coils until they start burning every time you cook.
Luckily, giving them a once-over doesn’t have to be painful. So, keep reading to learn some easy ways to keep them clean, safe, and actually working like they should.
How Your Oven Works
The heating elements take electricity and transform it into heat, giving your oven its power. Without them, there would be no way to cook or bake.
Two Elements, Two Jobs
Most classic models have two main parts: the bake element and the broiler. The bake element is at the bottom and gives off steady heat from below, making sure your cookies bake through and your pies don’t suffer from that dreaded soggy bottom.
Up top, the broiler element blasts out strong heat, which is perfect for browning a casserole or getting that nice sear on your steak.
When Grime Starts Calling the Shots
Now that you know how those elements work, here’s the catch: They don’t cope well with splatters.
Every splash of oil or drip of sauce that lands on them cooks in place, and once it’s baked on, it starts interfering with how evenly your oven heats. That’s when you notice that one side of your dish is browning while the other still looks half-raw.
Even worse, dirty elements make your oven work harder, which means higher energy use and longer cooking times. And if the grime builds up enough, it might cause fires.
However, you don’t need fancy products to keep them in tip-top shape. If you swipe spills away while they’re fresh, you’ll save yourself from chiselling at grease that sets harder than concrete.
Gathering the Right Tools
Nothing kills motivation faster than getting halfway through cleaning your oven and realising the bicarb is buried behind the flour or that you’ve got nothing but a rusty old scourer.
So, before you dive in, make sure you have everything you’ll use on hand. Fortunately, you’ll find all these tools at home.
You’ll need a soft cloth that won’t scratch, a sponge or scrubber that’s labelled ‘non-abrasive,’ and a pair of rubber gloves so your hands don’t end up red and raw.
While you’re at it, grab some baking soda and vinegar. They’re super effective at breaking down stubborn residue and lifting away grime, which makes them your best bet if you don’t want to use harsh chemicals.
Once your supplies are ready, do yourself a favour and line them all up on the counter before you start. That way, you won’t have to rummage through your cupboards with greasy fingers later.
Removing the Heating Elements
Now, it’s time for the main event: getting the elements out so you can actually clean them. This step isn’t difficult, but you’ll need to be patient and have a steady hand.
First things first, you should pull the plug or switch off the circuit at the mains and give your oven time to cool down. Then, follow the next steps:
- Access the elements. Open the unit’s door all the way to check how the elements are fixed in place. Most are held in with a couple of screws or clips.
- Remove the clips. Use a screwdriver to carefully take out the screws or clips.
- Take out the elements. Gently pull out the heating elements. Don’t yank them too hard, because they could break.
Once they’re out, set the parts on a clean, flat spot, like your countertop. That’s it—you’ve got them out, safely, and you’re now ready for the next steps.
Cleaning the Heating Elements
With the elements out, it’s time to focus on the grime clinging onto them. Grab a soft, damp cloth and begin easing off the grime from the heating elements. Just be gentle to avoid any scratches.
For those tough, stuck-on stains, mix some baking soda with water to make a paste, spread this on the crusty patches, and leave it for about 15 minutes.
Once the paste has done its job, take a non-scratch sponge or cloth and gently scrub off the leftovers.
Make sure not to submerge the elements in water, as this can damage the electrical parts. Instead, wipe all the paste away with a damp towel. And skip the heavy-duty chemicals, because they’ll leave residue that doesn’t belong anywhere near your food.
Once they’re all clean, set the parts aside on your counter to reattach them later.
Scrubbing the Oven Interior
Since you pulled out the heating elements earlier, you now have a golden opportunity to clean the inside of your oven without anything in the way.
To do this, grab a spray bottle, pour in a cup of water, add a tablespoon of vinegar, and then give it all a shake before misting the inside, keeping clear of the wires. For the grimy patches that refuse to budge, you can add some baking soda.
Let it sit overnight, and by morning, that baked-on mess won’t stand a chance. Then, get a soft sponge or cloth and wipe down the oven. The dirt should come off pretty easily, leaving your unit looking brand-new.
Finally, grab a damp cloth and give the inside a once-over, clearing out any traces of baking soda or vinegar.
Reattaching the Heating Elements
Once the heating elements are clean and gleaming, it’s time to pop them back in. But before you do that, take a minute to check each bit.
If you spot a crack, a burn mark, or something that just doesn’t look right, don’t shrug it off. That’s a problem waiting to happen. So, get a replacement before you end up with an oven that smells like fireworks.
However, if everything looks good, line the elements up with their slots, align the original screws or clips, and tighten them up until they’re secure.
Once they’re in, give the elements a little wiggle. Then, plug your oven back in or flick the switch at the mains, and set it to a low heat for a test run.
Not sure if you’ve attached the screws the right way round? Don’t sweat it. You can always call in a service that offers precise oven cleaning. These experts know how to clean your unit properly and put things back together safely.
Conclusion
As it turns out, you don’t need a science degree to keep your oven humming along. Just show your elements some love and they’ll return the favour every time you cook.
Dinner will stop being a gamble and become something you actually look forward to. So, give our hacks a try and enjoy scrumptious meals.
