How to clean oven rack?

Betty
by Betty

How do I clean a large oven rack

  6 answers
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on May 05, 2019

    I have written a post about this that might help you - https://chascrazycreations.com/clean-kitchen-natural-products/

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on May 05, 2019

    Take outside, spray with oven cleaner hose it off once clean.

  • Susie from South Alabama Susie from South Alabama on May 05, 2019

    I found a simple solution that actually WORKS in no time flat! Place your racks in the bathtub. Run hot water in the tub and fill to just over the racks (maybe an inch over). Pour in about a half cup of FABRIC softener, any kind, and be sure to swish around the softener well.

    I went about my business doing other things and when I checked on it after maybe a half hour, the baked-on mess from the racks slid right off!! I assumed I would have to use a scrub brush to get the rest of the junk off, but to my surprise, I could actually slide the remaining residue off with just my forefinger and thumb!! So shockingly easy and quick!!!

    Then I just rinsed and dried off before placing the racks back in the oven. Who knew?

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 05, 2019

    Hi Betty, Soak in Hot water and use Bar Keepers friend or Brillo Pads to clean with.

  • Suzi Plank Suzi Plank on May 05, 2019

    Through many years I have cleaned many overused, abused and never cleaned oven racks and broiler pans from rental and abandoned units. I appreciate people who do not want to use chemicals and use less toxic methods. But...


    If you are dealing with long-term (years) caked on, baked on crud or just don't have the desire to spend your time scrubbing and scraping on less desperate racks. I recommend getting a can or two of the type of oven cleaning spray that can be used in a COLD oven. I usually use Easy Off brand, lemon scent (not that scent really makes a cleaning difference). You also need HEAVY DUTY large contractor type trash bags, they should be at least 2 mil thick (size and thickness shown on box). They are available at Walmart, Home Depot, hardware stores, etc. You will need a heavy duty twist tie or small zip ties to seal the bag(s) you use since they aren't usually included with contractors bags.


    You need good, heavy duty kitchen gloves. Wear long pants for the spraying of the racks. If you are dealing with a serious build up or to take care of stubborn spots you need copper scouring pad(s) and some steel wool cleaning pads. I prefer the steel wool pads with soap, but without soap is fine, too.


    Take the racks, a contractors bag and the oven spray outside. A warm/hot, sunny day is best, but not required. If you care about the surface where you will be spraying the racks (good grass, concrete) put down a tarp or cut the sides open and spread out a contractors bag or two to protect the surface.Put your long pants and gloves on. Unfold, open up the contractors bag you are using for the racks on top of the ground cover, if you are using one. Place a rack inside the bag, hold it up with one gloved hand, lay it flat, whatever works for you. Follow the instructions on the oven spray can to shake, etc. Then spray the rack thoroughly, turn over or around, spray both sides, the edges and wherever the crud is. Don't skimp on the oven spray, make sure the racks are well coated. Lay the rack down in the bag. Repeat for each of the other racks. Close up the bag with zip or twist tie. Go rinse off your kitchen gloves and then do something else for a few hours or a day. The active cleaning process of the chemicals stops after a few hours but I usually had lots more crud to clean from other stuff. And I worked full time at my "real" job.


    Put on your gloves and pants, open the bag, take out the racks and rinse with a hose. Depending on what remains, use the copper pad to see if you can knock the baked on spots down. You will be surprised how easily some of the stuff comes off now. If a lot remains or is really stubborn, get another contractors bag and repeat the process. I have had racks I needed to spray three times but usually two times does it for most. Again, I am dealing with heavy, long term crud build up. A little bit of spot cleaning with the copper scrubber and steel wool. Steel wool and an orphaned table knife (don't use a good one) to push the steel wool into and around the crevices where rack bars are welded to outside edges to get any embedded spots.


    Yes, there is a lot of time for this method, but most of it is inactive on your part. I have never failed to bring oven racks, even a set of much-used, never-cleaned smoker racks, to like new condition. Sometimes requiring some elbow grease on my part, but many times almost none.


    Good luck and happy cleaning!



  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Dec 25, 2023

    For standard cleaning, use a soapy sponge and hot water to wipe the racks. For stubborn messes, soak oven racks in hot water, dish soap, and a couple scoops of baking soda. Let the racks soak in this mixture for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing clean with a soft sponge.