Jili
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 28, 2014 17:12:12 GMT
I have a self-cleaning oven but my usual method of cleaning the racks involves taking them outside and scrubbing them with SOS pads and Mr Clean sponges. It is a lot of work and not as effective as I'd like.
I've read about soaking them overnight in the bathtub with dish soap and dryer sheets (of all things). I'm a little hesitant because we have a fiberglass tub--or whatever material it is, I hate it and regret it because it's showing fine cracks and makes me nervous. I might be willing to try this if I set down an old towel in the tub first.
How about cast iron cooktop grates? Mine look decent but I'm wondering if this soaking method might be worthwhile to try.
What works for you?
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Post by dawndoll on Jul 28, 2014 17:35:36 GMT
I remember reading one time something about putting them in a trash bag with ammonia and leaving them outside in the heat.
I don't think it would be much fun opening that bag back up though!
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Jul 28, 2014 17:37:09 GMT
I have a self cleaning oven too. A repairman recommended that I buy oven spray, like Easy Off, and spray the racks and grates outside. Oven spray is formulated for cleaning ovens (that aren't self-cleaning) so it is very effective.
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Jili
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 28, 2014 17:39:53 GMT
I remember reading one time something about putting them in a trash bag with ammonia and leaving them outside in the heat. I don't think it would be much fun opening that bag back up though! I've read about that method, but it scares me! LOL. I have a self cleaning oven too. A repairman recommended that I buy oven spray, like Easy Off, and spray the racks and grates outside. Oven spray is formulated for cleaning ovens (that aren't self-cleaning) so it is very effective. I wondered about this, too. I've never used an oven spray before. I might try soaking this afternoon, and then taking them outside to scrub later on tonight. If that doesn't help maybe the oven cleaner would be the way to go. |
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Post by NanaKate on Jul 28, 2014 17:45:41 GMT
I use Easy Off too. Outside. It's messy but works.
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Post by kckckc on Jul 28, 2014 17:51:11 GMT
I have put my cast iron stove grates overnight in a trash bag with some ammonia. It did work - just open the bag away from you!
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Post by emelle64 on Jul 28, 2014 18:02:49 GMT
I just did the dryer sheets in the bathtub trick and although it helped a lot, it didn't get them totally clean and it did leave marks on my bathtub which I then had to scrub off. So, probably wouldn't do that again.
Emelle
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Post by LAM88 on Jul 28, 2014 18:10:51 GMT
Keeping an eye on this thread. With my old oven I just left the racks in while I used the self cleaner and they got cleaned right along with it, but it did completely dull the finish. I have a new oven now and haven't had to clean it yet, but I don't want to dull the racks again so I've got to find another method.
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Post by snappinsami on Jul 28, 2014 18:12:46 GMT
Marking my place here too. When we moved out of our last rental, I scrubbed them with a copper pad. It got most of the gunk off, but was really hard work and didn't do as good a job as I'd have liked. I'll have to try the oven cleaner next time...
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Post by sues on Jul 28, 2014 18:23:43 GMT
I use the ammonia in ziplock bags method for the burner grates. It works so well, it's like a miracle. They look brand new.
I bought the XL size zip bags at Dollar Tree and I keep them just for this purpose. 1/4 cup of ammonia, lay the grate(s) inside the bag, seal and put it outside overnight. The fumes do the work, not the ammonia coming in contact with the grates. The next morning I take a toothbrush (because it's easier for corners) and just brush everything away under the tap. It just wipes right off.
Rinse the bags out and let them dry outside on the line, if possible.
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Post by rumplesnat on Jul 28, 2014 18:30:19 GMT
Oh, boy. Last week or so I learned that I was supposed to actually my wash windows. Before that, I found out that not everyone just buys new blinds when theirs get dirty. What will I discover next? Something crazy like instead of letting dishes air dry, I could be using one of those dish towel things to speed up the process???   |
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Post by cakediva on Jul 28, 2014 18:30:27 GMT
Keeping an eye on this thread. With my old oven I just left the racks in while I used the self cleaner and they got cleaned right along with it, but it did completely dull the finish. I have a new oven now and haven't had to clean it yet, but I don't want to dull the racks again so I've got to find another method. This is what my mother told me to do. Said she's always done it! I'm badly needing to run the self clean, I just hate having to stand under the smoke detector and wave a towel for an hour...  |
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The Birdhouse Lady
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Posts: 7,346
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Jul 28, 2014 18:32:03 GMT
I use easy off oven spray and put them in a black trash bag and let them sit. I then use steel wool and rubber gloves to get the stuck on gunk off and spray with the hose. Wa-la, good as new!
*I know my method is not environmentally sound
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IAmUnoriginal
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Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Jul 28, 2014 18:35:30 GMT
I have a self cleaning oven too. A repairman recommended that I buy oven spray, like Easy Off, and spray the racks and grates outside. Oven spray is formulated for cleaning ovens (that aren't self-cleaning) so it is very effective. This is the method I use. Works great. When the weather is nice I can just hose them off. If it's winter, I spray and scrub them in the garage and have a rubbermaid tub of water in the laundry room that I dunk them in to rinse them off. |
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IAmUnoriginal
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Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Jul 28, 2014 18:37:15 GMT
Keeping an eye on this thread. With my old oven I just left the racks in while I used the self cleaner and they got cleaned right along with it, but it did completely dull the finish. I have a new oven now and haven't had to clean it yet, but I don't want to dull the racks again so I've got to find another method. This is what my mother told me to do. Said she's always done it! I'm badly needing to run the self clean, I just hate having to stand under the smoke detector and wave a towel for an hour... A piece of Saran Wrap or a Ziploc baggie and a rubberband around your smoke detector while the cleaning cycle runs will save you having to wave that towel. Just remember to pull it off when you're done. |
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Jili
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jul 28, 2014 18:42:56 GMT
Well, they're soaking in the tub with dryer sheets, some dish soap and a towel. This ought to be interesting! I won't mind having to scrub them later. Hopefully it won't be as difficult.
If all goes well, I'll put the grates in tomorrow.
The idea of ammonia just scares me for some reason.
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Post by dawndoll on Jul 28, 2014 18:51:06 GMT
I wonder if vinegar in a plastic bag would work? Less harsh than ammonia. I used a rag soaked in vinegar to clean the inside of the oven window before. Just soaked a rag in it and let it sit on the inside of the window while the oven door was open for about 20 minutes. There had been a lot of gunk on there from the previous owner of the home. It worked really well and everything came off with very little scrubbing.
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marianne
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Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Jul 28, 2014 18:59:34 GMT
I just leave mine in the oven to clean. Yes, they get somewhat dull and might not slide as well, but I just rub the edges with a little oil and they're fine. I really don't mind the dullness because at least I know they're clean. I've scoured so many racks and drip pans/grates over the years and when we got our glass-top stove, I vowed never to again... and I haven't. Jili - as long as you don't breathe the fumes in real deep or mix it with any other caustic product, it really does clean a lot of things wonderfully. Don't use it on aluminum though, it will discolor it.  |
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Post by mtscrapper on Jul 28, 2014 19:03:42 GMT
Ammonia works wonders! I did the top burner grates, too, and it is amazing how easy that stuff just comes off. It just slides right off usually. You may have to brush the corners, but it is easy. Like others have said, I just stored them outside, and when you open it, just open it outside and away from you. After that, when the fumes have escaped, then it isn't a big deal. Just take out the grates with rubber gloves. Dilute the ammonia in the bag with water and then you can just dump it down the drain. You don't use that much ammonia anyway - a little goes a long way.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Jul 28, 2014 19:34:50 GMT
I'm badly needing to run the self clean, I just hate having to stand under the smoke detector and wave a towel for an hour... We have some plastic covers that look like shower caps for our smoke detectors. I always stick one over the detector on the 2nd floor before I run the self-clean. |
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Post by Ellie on Jul 28, 2014 19:49:51 GMT
Oh, boy. Last week or so I learned that I was supposed to actually my wash windows. Before that, I found out that not everyone just buys new blinds when theirs get dirty. What will I discover next? Something crazy like instead of letting dishes air dry, I could be using one of those dish towel things to speed up the process??? Rumplesnat beat me to it. I was going to say, "We're supposed to CLEAN those things?"  |
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Post by donna on Jul 28, 2014 19:57:24 GMT
Wow! I learn so much from you guys!!
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Post by pb on Jul 28, 2014 20:31:29 GMT
We have done the black bag, ammonia, and sun before and like Mtscrapper said, it worked great. We had no problems with fumes, we were just careful opening the bag and only used 1/3 cup or so of the ammonia.
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Post by Aheartfeltcard on Jul 28, 2014 20:38:33 GMT
Hmm, lol! I think I have left them in and taken them out for self cleaning. I never noticed them looking bad enough to really think about it.
I have a hand held steamer that I use to clean my grates with. I have also used baking soda and white vinagar in a ziploc bag. Both were good.
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Post by SabrinaM on Jul 28, 2014 21:30:04 GMT
Oh, boy. Last week or so I learned that I was supposed to actually my wash windows. Before that, I found out that not everyone just buys new blinds when theirs get dirty. What will I discover next? Something crazy like instead of letting dishes air dry, I could be using one of those dish towel things to speed up the process??? Whatever you do, don't read the mopping thread. I read it and figured I should add "mop" to my shopping list.  |
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akathy
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Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Jul 28, 2014 21:46:45 GMT
I've been doing the ammonia in a black trash bag for years. I just lay it in my bathtub overnight and the stuff washes right off. I often use ammonia water to clean around the house so it doesn't scare me a bit. It's a great cleaner!
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eleezybeth
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Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 28, 2014 23:32:19 GMT
My mom swears by laying them in the grass overnight. Her theory is the dew loosens the yuck. I personally feel this is horse boo-hockey but she claims success.
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Post by Suziee2 on Jul 28, 2014 23:37:41 GMT
We use diluted ammonia around the house, too, so that doesn't bother me. Now I have my mom doing it. However - we recently converted to a gas stove and my grates are cast iron. Has anyone used ammonia in the black bag on their cast iron grates? I'm a little worried to do that, although I use a sponge/scrubbie and soft scrub with bleach on them with no problems.
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