I have a self-clean oven but have to remove racks and scour by hand-ugh. Found an easier way is to put them in heavy plastic bag, spray with ammonia, close up tight and put them in a sunny spot for a couple of hours while oven is cleaning. Then put old plastic shower curtain on the picnic table take a pan of hot soapy water and an SOS pad and get to work. The burnt-on gunk just wipes right off. If some really stubborn spots remain, I use wire BBQ grill brush, rinse and let dry in the sun.

By Eileen on 11/1/2009 8:19:24 PM

Great tip!  Another easy way to remember when to do the MAJOR clean is to do it at the same time you check your batteries in your smoke detectors, at Daylight Savings time!  I also clean my oven more often, usually once a week so nothing gets baked on.  I use Oxyclean with a plastic scouring pad and it works great!  Make the Oxyclean into a paste-like consistancy with water, apply to oven or oven door, scrub off the gunk and rinse well!  For more than 15 years I have used the self-clean feature on my oven twice a year.  I have never had a problem here so why don't others use it?

By Jennifer on 10/29/2009 8:53:12 PM

very smart!!!!!  and, definately do it on a cold day, and when you have a lot of leftovers so you don't have to cook!  :)

By Carrie on 10/29/2009 3:45:16 PM

I am also interested in how to clean without chemicals. My oven doesn't self clean, although it is newer and it should!

By Tiffany on 10/29/2009 9:57:08 AM

Time to clean the oven is when the smoke alarm sounds!!! When you are baking something!!!!Sofie jAyne in tn

By Sofia on 10/28/2009 3:27:09 PM

I now that cleaning your stove right before holidays is a great plus, but in my household my stove is cleaned every week or daily if needed.

By Gloria on 10/28/2009 2:20:30 PM

What is the best way to clean an oven? I am a new homeowner and have only cleaned it out once with an awful smelling chemical, so I am open to suggestions. I had hear dnot to use the self clean, but I'm not sure why?

By Kate on 10/28/2009 12:27:01 PM

Great tip. I was actually forced to clean mine last weekend because of a small fire in the broiler that caused char to go into the oven area. So I'm set to begin my holiday baking!

By Angela on 10/28/2009 10:59:49 AM

 I CLEAN MY OVEN EVERY OTHER WEEK. I  FOUND OUT THE OVEN WORKS BETTER AND THE FOOD COOKS EVENLY. LEAVING BURNON FOOD CAN CAUSE YOUR FOOD TO TAKE ON THAT TASTE. BUT TAKING  THE  LONG BREAKES CLEANING THE OVEN IS IDEAL

By LAVETTE on 10/27/2009 7:00:44 PM

I did not think to clean in those months, what a great tip.by jeannette

By Jeannette on 10/27/2009 1:22:06 PM

Good tip! In fact that is what I am planning on doing today, its a rainy day here and our first big Party of the Season begins with Halloween, which is next Saturday, so Im getting it done now.

By Gwen on 10/27/2009 1:19:15 PM

what a great tip!!

By Chas on 10/27/2009 1:11:09 PM

That makes perfect sense. I would like to add choosing a cold day is a great time so you do not make your kitchen feel like a sauna.

By Cynthia on 10/27/2009 9:21:59 AM