Whether you call it a stove, range, or cooktop; the built-in appliances in your kitchen are bound to get greasy over time. Grease from cooking oils, splattered chicken skin and soot from burning logs all take their toll on your countertops. If your kitchen has gas burners or an electric cooktop, you’ll need to clean the surface regularly to keep it in good working order.
Oven cleaner is a household staple. It is used to clean ovens and cooktops. However, not all oven cleaners are the same. Some have harmful chemicals that can leach into food and drink when used in the kitchen.
What is an Oven Cleaner?
An oven cleaner is a product designed to safely clean ovens, cooktops, and other metal surfaces. They’re usually formulated with a blend of enzymes and ingredients like bleach, lemon, or grapefruit juice that safely break down grease, grime, and soot. Some brands also contain ammonia to remove baked-on messes like burnt food and spills, and they can be used with any appliance that uses a metal surface like a stovetop or a range. Typically, you’ll apply the cleaner with a sponge, rag, or brush, scrubbing the surface until it’s clean. You can also use an aluminum cleaner to quickly brighten a dull stovetop.
The Benefits of Using an Oven Cleaner
Most oven cleaners are safe and effective, but they have one other amazing benefit: they can also clean your natural stone or glass countertops. And that’s because of the bleach in some of them. Conventional oven cleaners can safely remove stains from natural stone and glass surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them. With regular use, you can keep your countertops clean and stain-free.
Another benefit of using an oven cleaner is that it can reduce the buildup of grease and grime over time. When you clean your stovetop or range regularly, you prevent the buildup of soot and grease that can cause stains and odors.
Things to Avoid When Using an Oven Cleaner
Some people like to clean their oven with an oven cleaner, but they may be doing it all wrong. You should never pour an oven cleaner on a hot stovetop or range. It’s dangerous and can cause a serious burn.
Similarly, you shouldn’t leave an oven cleaner on your stovetop or range for too long. And lastly, you shouldn’t use any cleaner if your stovetop isn’t clean. You can clean your stovetop with a sponge and a pot of water, but you should try to get rid of as much dirt, grease, and food residue as possible before you use an oven cleaner.
Safety Tips for Using an Oven Cleaner
Before you clean your oven or stovetop, make sure it’s cool. If it’s unsafe to touch, then you should clean it in another room. Cleaning with an oven cleaner is easy, but it can be dangerous if you don’t follow some safety tips. Don’t leave the cleaner soaking in your oven for too long or soak your granite or natural stone counters with it.
You should also avoid scrubbing or scouring your stovetop too hard or for too long. Scrubbing with too much force or using a scrubbing pad can scratch the surface, and taking too long to scrub can damage the surface.
facts about oven cleaners
If you are looking for an easy and cost-effective way to clean your stovetop, oven cleaner is a great option. However, you should read the instructions on the bottle before using it, and avoid using it on countertops made of natural stone or glass. Here are some facts you should know about oven cleaners :
Some oven cleaners contain harmful chemicals like ammonia that can damage your lungs and cause respiratory problems.
Other ingredients in some oven cleaners can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Some of these harmful chemicals can also leach into food and drink when the cleaner is used on kitchen surfaces.
It is therefore important to read the ingredients list of any oven cleaner before using it to avoid any harm to yourself or your food.