The 6 Best Oven Cleaners to Tackle Stubborn Grime

Corrie
by Corrie

The oven is one of those appliances that we use all the time, but for some reason, we always forget to clean it. We’ll remember to clean the stovetop and the outside of the oven, but the inside of the oven is always neglected.


Most of today’s ovens are self-cleaning where they’ll use extreme heat to burn off crumbs and residue inside the oven. However, some people are wary about using that function. And there is still some grime the self-cleaning function does not completely get rid of, meaning you still need to go in with an oven cleaner at some point.


If it’s been a while since you’ve shown the inside of your oven some love, the good news is there are lots of great oven cleaners on the market today that will help make the job pretty easy. And we’re here to help you out; this guide to the best oven cleaners will help you determine which one is best for your appliance and your lifestyle.

clean inside of oven and oven racks / Photo via Living a Real Life

Top Picks

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Oven Cleaners

Let’s take a look at the test factors we used in determining our list of the best oven cleaners available today:

  • Bottle Size: How much oven cleaner does the user get for their money?
  • Application: How is the oven cleaner applied — is it a spray? Or is it a liquid in a squeeze bottle?
  • What It Cleans: Can this oven cleaner be used in both gas and electric ovens? And does it clean anything else?


Here’s a look at our list of the best oven cleaners to use.

Best Overall Oven Cleaner: Easy-Off Professional Fume-Free Oven Cleaner

Bottle Size: 24 ounces Application: Spray What It Cleans: Ovens, broilers, and barbecue grills

Our pick for the best oven cleaner is, hands-down, the Easy-Off Professional Fume-Free Oven Cleaner. This oven cleaner easily sprays on the insides of ovens, broilers, and barbecue grills to remove baked-on grease and food. Let the foam sit for about an hour to do its job and then simply wipe clean using a wet sponge, cloth, or paper towels. The specially-designed formula is tough on messes without the use of harsh chemicals like lye, which is commonly found in oven cleaning solutions. That means there are also no harsh fumes, so using this product indoors is not a problem for those sensitive to sharp scents. And the Easy-Off Professional Fume-Free Oven Cleaner can also be used as a spot-cleaner for spills as they happen.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly price
  • Cleans all types of ovens, as well as broilers and barbecues
  • No harsh fumes

Cons

  • None that we can see!

Best Heavy-Duty Oven Cleaner: Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Spray

Bottle Size: 14.5 ounces Application: Spray What It Cleans: Ovens, broilers, and barbecue grills

If the inside of your oven has seen some things, or maybe it's been a long time since you've cleaned it, then you may need something with a bit more cleaning power. The Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Spray is the best option for making short work of large amounts of baked-on grease, grime, and food. This professional-grade oven cleaner works in as little as three minutes — just spray and allow the foam to penetrate any tough messes on the inside of your oven. Then when ready, simply wipe clean with a wet sponge or cloth. The Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Spray can be used in both cold and warm ovens, depending on what you need. Be sure to prop windows open and run an exhaust fan when using the cleaner since its fumes are strong.

Pros

  • Economic price
  • Works in as little as three minutes
  • Heavy-duty formula perfect for cleaning tough grime spots

Cons

  • Must be used with adequate ventilation

Best Spot Cleaner for Ovens: Goo Gone Oven and Grill Cleaner

Bottle Size: 28 ounces Application: Spray What It Cleans: Ovens, grills, toaster ovens, rotisseries, pots, and pans

If you want to clean up spills inside your oven as they happen, then consider picking up a bottle of Goo Gone Oven and Grill Cleaner. Just spray the cleaning foam directly on to any mess you have — the foam will penetrate the grime so it can be wiped away. The cleaner is fume-free, meaning you don't have to worry about any harsh chemical smells when you're using it indoors, and is biodegradable and can be used with a wet paper towel or sponge. In addition to cleaning the insides of ovens, Goo Gone Oven and Grill Cleaner can be used to clean indoor and outdoor grills, oven cooking racks, the insides of toaster ovens and rotisseries, and even pots and pans.

Pros

  • Fume-free formula
  • Spray-on cleaner works fast
  • Can be used on ovens, grills, toaster ovens, rotisseries, and more

Cons

  • Bit expensive

Best Natural Oven Cleaner: Astonish Oven & Cookware Cleaner

Bottle Size: 5.29 ounces Application: Paste What It Cleans: Ovens, glass, racks, steel pans, ceramics, Pyrex

Pros

  • Vegan, biodegradable, and Leaping Bunny certified
  • No harsh chemicals so safe to use without gloves
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces

Cons

  • Is a paste that needs to be rubbed in

Best Cleaner for Oven Racks: Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

Bottle Size: 16.8 ounces Application: Pour bottle What It Cleans: Oven racks and barbecue grills

While oven interiors certainly take a beating, the oven racks can sometimes be even dirtier. Sometimes they require a cleaner made just for them, such as the Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner. This cleaner helps make cleaning oven racks and barbecue grills an easier chore. Simply remove the racks or grills, place them in a plastic bag, pour the cleaner into the back, and let them sit. After about eight hours, you can open the bag, rinse your racks, and bask in the glorious clean. Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner is biodegradable and can be used on both stainless steel and ceramic racks and grills.

Pros

  • Liquid cleaner designed just for cleaning oven racks and barbecue grills
  • Can be used on both stainless steel and ceramic
  • Biodegradable formula

Cons

  • Cannot be used to clean the entire oven interior

Best Glass Door Oven Cleaner: Rutland Products Hearth and Grill Conditioning Glass Cleaner

Bottle Size: 8 ounces Application: Squeeze bottle What It Cleans: Oven doors, glass and ceramic cooktops, shower doors, fireplace glass doors

Although most oven cleaners can be used to clean the entire surface of the oven's inside — including the glass door — there are a few cleaners meant just for cleaning the glass. Rutland Products Hearth and Grill Conditioning Glass Cleaner features no ammonia and is non-scratching, making it safe for not only the glass door of your oven but pretty much any other glass surface in your home. It can also be used on stainless steel, porcelain, tile, aluminum, and chrome. When used, the Rutland Products Hearth and Grill Conditioning Glass Cleaner leaves behind a protective film of silicone to make the next cleaning even easier.

Pros

  • Non-scratching formula
  • Cleans glass, stainless steel, porcelain, tile, aluminum, and chrome
  • Leaves behind protective silicone film when used

Cons

  • May not be able to clean all inside oven surfaces

Tips for Cleaning an Oven

Now that you’ve picked a great oven cleaner to use, here are some tips on how to clean your oven:


Set a Schedule

If you really want to make cleaning your oven an easy job, don't wait — schedule regular cleanings about every three months. This way grime won't sit and bake every time you use it, making it harder to clean up. And when small spills happen, break out a cleaner and clean them up before they set.


Follow the Directions

Thoroughly read the directions on the back of the bottle before you start spritzing on the cleaner. Make sure your oven is primed for cleaning and you have all the tools you need, such as sponges, cloths, access to warm water, and protective gloves. And then make sure you let the cleaner sit for as long as the manufacturer tells you to. If you remove the cleaner too early, it won't do the best cleaning job, and you’ll have to repeat the whole process over again.


Use Protection

Once the inside of your oven is sparkling clean, protect it from future food spills by always using a cover or roasting bag on anything that may splatter. You can also purchase disposable oven liners to help keep the bottom of your oven clean.


Do you have an oven cleaner that does a great job? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Joan Joan on Feb 27, 2024

    My problem is not so much cleaning the oven as it is being able to reach the back of the oven. My stove is electric and the heating element is not removable. The oven door is removable, but I think that would create a host of problems in getting it back on. It is a self-cleaning oven but I am wary of using that future. Any ideas on how to easily reach the back of the oven?

  • Candy Barber Candy Barber on Feb 27, 2024

    Lots of information here, but appears to be based on manufacturers’ claims. Was there any actual testing done to evaluate effectiveness?


Comments
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 2 comments
  • Elizabeth Sullivan Elizabeth Sullivan on Mar 04, 2022

    Great info....but.....you didn't mention any cleaner for self cleaning ovens :(

  • Dee Dee on Jul 01, 2022

    I love Easy Off but it got pricey. I now go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy Heavy duty Grill cleaner works like a charm.

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