We talked about some helpful tips for your oven, stove, and range awhile back, but your oven has been through a lot lately, so we wanted to offer some additional tips. With hams, turkeys, and casseroles going in and out of the oven from November to January, then appetizers and snacks for the Super Bowl in February, your oven could certainly use a little TLC and maintenance. It may not be as quick and convenient as the microwave, but it’s just as important to you and your kitchen, so let’s take a look at some helpful maintenance tips for your oven that will help it see and survive another holiday season.
Make It Shine
We mentioned this previously, so we won’t harp on it too much. You have a couple of options on how to clean your oven. Pick which method works best for you; just be sure to do it. Your oven’s self-cleaning feature can reach upwards of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you’re looking for an alternative, you can use a simple combination of baking soda and vinegar to do the job. We advise that you unplug your oven if you’ll be getting water or any liquids inside, to avoid getting shocked or worse. Learn more about your oven’s self-cleaning feature here.
Oven Knobs
We recommend that you do not spray cleaner directly into this area since there are electrical components close by. However, if they do need cleaning, if they come off (don’t force them), then you can soak them in white vinegar. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them back onto your oven. If your knobs cannot be removed, you can moisten a towel with vinegar, but again, just be sure that you don’t get the internals wet.
Replace Bulbs
While you’re at it, if you notice any bulbs out, you’ll want to go ahead and replace them. Most ovens take a 40 watt appliance bulb, which can be found at just about any appliance store.
Replace the Gas Line
If you have a gas oven, and you are replacing it, we suggest replacing the gas line as well. Whenever the old oven is taken out, and the new one is put in, the vibration and movement could cause damage to the old line. Replacing it when you install the new one can be a big boost to overall oven safety, and they are pretty inexpensive. Of course, if you have an electric oven, you can skip this step.
Burner Inspection
Check your burners for any damage or deformities. If you have a spot on one of your burners that is getting redder than the rest (when cooking), it could be an indication that you have a problem, and that the burner could short out. If that’s the case, we recommend replacing that burner to prevent an issue before it happens.
Keep It Clean
Once you’ve got that oven sparkling clean, you’ll want to keep it that way. To minimize the effort you or your self-cleaning oven have to put in the next time you need to clean that appliance, you should clean any messes as soon as you can – after it cools down of course. Also, you can put a small cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil in your oven to catch grease. Just be sure that it does not cover any vents!
If you do find a burner that needs replacing, or if you need that gas line switched out, we can handle that and just about anything else appliance related for you. We’d like to help you get the most out of your oven, so don’t hesitate to call us at 844.3.GUINCO, or contact us online. As always, Thank You for Letting Our Family Help Yours!
