Can I save my Ruined Oven Racks?

I've never heard of one, but, consider that they still work as designed, still hold up your pans of food. The owner's manual for mine said this would happen if they were left inside during cleaning, but that it wouldn't affect their function. So it's just a matter of if you feel it necessary to be shiny to work!?

oven racks have to be taken out of the oven for separate cleaning.

Steel wool soap pads and a LOT of elbow grease will clean them. I made this mistake one time.

Try spraying with oven cleaner and then put them in a plastic trash bag overnight or longer, then use steel wool, probably will still need some elbow grease, but oven cleaner does help.

Agreed. The coat the side that slide itno the grooves with cooking spray to make them slide easier. I did this with my old oven and learned my lesson to take them out while self cleaning.

We have had self cleaning ovens, I take the racks out & put them in a plastic bag w/ ammonia. Let it sit overnight. They'll be beautiful. ( make sure you put enough ammonia in there to cover your racks and rinse well.

My stove is 20 years old and I used the self cleaning only once. I have always thought it just uses too much electricity, having to be on at high heat for so long. So, I use Easy-Off oven cleaner ( no heat required type) and take out the racks, put them on cardboard and newspaper on the floor of my front porch, spray well. Later I take them in, scrub in the sink with a brush and warm water, after wiping the excess with paper towels. Also since we get two racks and I seldom use both, I leave one out, then can switch so have a clean shiny one ready. Just don't wait so long in between cleaning that it becomes a major job and can take several spray on cleaners to get rid of the burnt on gunk.