Burned Up

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Cleaning the oven, or the glass cook top, can be a source of frustration, an eye sore and take some serious elbow grease! Let me help ease your frustration with some commonly sold products designed to lessen your workload.

When we moved into our home in 2007, the glass cook top had not been properly taken care of in years. Each time you cook, the splashes, spatters, and cooked-on food can pile up into a huge problem. I went to my local Lowe’s home improvement store for help with the nastiness that was my stove. They carry a product called “Cerama Bryte” that is the consistency of soft scrub, and this product comes with a “scraper” of sorts. You apply the runny paste using a rough sponge (provided with the scrub) in a circular motion all over the top of your stove. Use the scraper for areas that need special attention. Then, using paper towel, wipe the paste off of your stove. Like car wax, the last pass with the paper towel will buff your cook top clean and shiny. This product is SO awesome, and I use it each time I clean the kitchen, and after I cook a particularly messy dinner. Be sure your cook top is completely cool or the runny paste turns into a flaky mess as it “cooks” to your stove!

Ever set a Styrofoam plate or plastic bread bag on top of a burner that you didn’t know was warm?! Me too! Cerama Bryte takes the mess right off.
As for the inside of your oven, Wal-Mart makes a store brand version of Easy Off Bam. This is a fumeless foaming spray designed for Self-Cleaning ovens. BE SURE that the can says “designed for self-cleaning ovens”!

My personal experience, and one that provides the best end result is: 1. Remove your oven racks. 2. Clean your oven using the self-cleaning feature first. Allow yourself 3 hours or so for this process, as it is HOT and STINKY! 3. Use your vacuum hose to suck all of the burned flakes and ash out of your oven. 4. After the oven has cooled, spray Great Value Oven Cleaner all over the inside of your oven and door. Close the door and let the foam sit for an additional 1-2 hours. 5. Once this time has passed, you can wipe your oven clean using paper towel and it will look brand new!

The can of Great Value Oven Cleaner boasts that it is fumeless. This is a half-truth because it does have a chemical/perfume odor. The odor isn’t strong, but it is distinct, that’s for sure.

You will feel so good having your oven completely cleaned and looking great!