A Step-by-Step Guide to Steam Cleaning Your Oven

While scrubbing your oven might not be a favorite kitchen cleaning task, it’s not one to neglect. Letting grease and grime build-up can affect your oven’s performance, encourage bacterial growth and unpleasant odors, and be a fire hazard. Learning how to steam clean your oven manually is a simple and safe technique for loosening burnt-on dirtregardless of whether you have a snazzy self-cleaning function.

I spoke to a cleaning expert to understand the benefits of oven steam cleaning and why it’s not a substitute for regular deep cleaning.

Benefits of Steam Cleaning Your Oven

“Some ovens have built-in steam cleaning features, and they can do the trick to loosen dirt and debris in the oven to make it easier to clean by hand,” Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, says. Don’t confuse this feature with deeper self-cleaning oven functions, which use higher temperatures to incinerate grime.

Steam cleaning an oven manually means you can still loosen dirt if you have a more basic appliance. You don’t need fancy toolsjust an oven-proof bowl and waterand there’s no need to ventilate the room the way you do when using the self-cleaning feature. It also allows you to clean your oven without harsh chemicals or caustic fumes.

Routine steam cleaning helps keep your oven free from lighter spills and spatters and reduces the need for strenuous scrubbing to clean up heavier grime buildups during deep cleans.

How To Steam Clean Your Oven

Follow the simple steps below to steam clean your oven in between or before a deep clean to prevent grease and grime from accumulating.

1. Remove trays and racks

Take out any trays and racks inside a completely cool oven before starting the steam cleaning process. You can soak and clean your oven racks separately in the sink.

2. Wipe away loose debris

Use a damp, clean microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe down the inside of the oven. Lifting out any already loose crumbs, grease, or other grime can speed up the steam cleaning process.

3. Heat your oven

“Set your oven highto 450 degrees,” Mock says. The higher the temperature, the more effective the steam cleaning process will be. Don’t move on to the next step until the oven has reached this temperature. Doing so can result in the water evaporating prematurely.

4. Add a bowl of water

“Use an oven-proof, large bowl,” Mock says. “Fill it with cold water.” She recommends heating the water in the oven for up to an hour (checking to make sure the water hasn’t fully evaporated before this time). Picking a bowl that’s too small can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, and the steam cleaning won’t fully loosen the grime. Usually, around 2 cups of water is enough.

Using filtered or distilled water rather than tap water decreases the chance of water spots or mineral deposits forming during the steam cleaning process.

5. Let your oven cool

“After an hour, turn off the oven and leave the door closed so that the steam has time to circulate and the bowl of hot water has cooled down,” Mock says.

6. Wipe down the inside of the oven again

“Once safe, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away grime in the oven,” Mock says. To tackle stubborn, stuck-on grime, use a gently abrasive baking soda and water paste to help lift it off. Leaving a layer of paste on the grime for half an hour or more can help to loosen it further.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you steam clean your oven?

It pays to steam clean your oven after any use that results in food spills or spatters. Doing this prevents a buildup of harder-to-clean grime that you’ll have difficulty removing during deep cleaning. Mock recommends adding spot-cleaning your oven to your kitchen cleaning checklist at least once a month. “It’s important to know that steam cleaning your oven should not be a replacement for a deep clean,” Mock says. She recommends deep cleaning your oven at least four times a year.

How long does it take to steam clean an oven?

Steam cleaning an oven will take around one hour. However, allow two hours to account for the time it takes to bring the oven up to temperature and cool down again. Most of this time, you can be doing other things around the house. Manual prep and cleaning time should be less than 15 minutes.

Are there any cons to steam cleaning an oven?

Steam cleaning an oven can help soften and loosen debris, making it easier to clean. However, it isn’t enough on its own to remove all stubborn, burnt-on grime. You’ll still need to apply some elbow grease and additional cleaning products to keep your oven super sanitary.

When steam cleaning isn’t enough, how would you clean an oven?

Mock suggests deep cleaning an oven using baking soda. Create a paste using a 3/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water. “Apply it generously to the interior surfaces, avoiding the heating elements,” she says. “Allow the paste to sit overnight.” Use a damp cloth or sponge to remove the paste the following day. Mock recommends using a plastic oven scraper to remove stubborn grime without damaging the oven’s surface. “Finish by wiping down the interior with a damp cloth to remove any leftover residue,” she says.

About the Expert

• Marla Mock is the President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company that offers professional house cleaning services; email interview, Jan. 10, 2024.

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