The best oven cleaning products

Cleaning the oven is a chore often forgotten about, until you’re cooking one day and faced with billowing smoke as you open it up to check on your food. If left, your oven can build up with grease and leave a layer of dirt on the oven door, so if you can’t see through the window; it’s definitely time to put in some elbow grease and make it look brand new again. You’ll have a much nicer cooking experience without the smoke and smells that you get from a dirty oven. 

But the question on everyone’s mind is, where do you start when tackling stubborn grease and dirt? With the right products, you’ll realise its actually far less daunting than it sounds, and we’ve rounded up a list of the best miracle products to help you achieve the best results. 

There are many different formulas on the market that claim to rid your oven of baked on grease and other dirt. Some come in the form of a gel or foam, others a spray. Some require leaving the formula on overnight and some will require you to scrub the affected area. It all depends on the condition of your oven, how much effort you want to put in, and the results you want to achieve. 

When buying oven cleaner, just be aware of the ingredients contained in some products. If you’re looking for fast results, be aware that the ones which work quickly and effectively can be quite potent. So if you have sensitive skin and eyes,  it’s probably better to avoid the harsher chemicals and go for something a little lighter which may require some scrubbing on your part but will be just as effective and kinder to you in the long run. 

1. Oven Mate Cleaning Gel

No scrubbing required with this powerful gel formula

Specifications

Best for: No effort required
Type: Gel
Biodegradable: Yes
Cleaning time: Varies from 3 mins to 3 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Application brush included
+
Leave on, rinse off

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs leaving overnight for best results 

This gel oven cleaner is great if you don’t want to have to put in too much effort. It's a powerful formula that you apply generously with the included brush, and then leave it to work its magic before simply rinsing away. Users love this stuff as it doesn’t smell potent like some other products, and were pleasantly surprised by the professional results they got. Some say for stubborn grease you will need to leave it on overnight, which means you’ll need to forgo cooking dinner one evening, but hey, at least now you have an excuse to order a takeaway! It’s a win-win. 

2. Astonish Oven & Cookware Cleaner Cleaning Paste

A multi-purpose formula that will leave the whole kitchen gleaming

Specifications

Best for: The whole kitchen
Type: Paste
Biodegradable: Yes
Cleaning time: Scrub immediately

Reasons to buy

+
 Multi-purpose
+
Works immediately

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires some scrubbing 

This cleaning paste is one of the best cleaners for hobs on our list and it'll clean your pans too. Simply apply the paste to the affected area and lightly scrub with a sponge. Users found it to work extremely well with very little effort, and say it removes grease quickly without the need to leave it to soak. The paste itself is quite thick and a little tricky to apply, but once on, it simply wipes away and takes any dirt with it. For anyone with a stainless steel hob and pans that are starting to look a little grubby, give this Astonish paste a go.

3. Oven Pride Complete Oven Cleaner

A reliable, deep clean for stubborn grease

Specifications

Best for: Oven shelves and grill racks
Type: Bag solution
Biodegradable: Yes
Cleaning time: 4 hours/overnight

Reasons to buy

+
 Cleaning bag for shelves
+
Minimal smell

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite corrosive 

Oven Pride has aimed to make your life easier with what is essentially an oven cleaner in a bag. It is the best oven cleaner for shelves and racks, and users say it works excellently at removing grease and leaving grill racks shiny and silver. This is one of the more potent products on the list so not only will you want to ensure you are always wearing gloves when dealing with this formula, you'll also want to make sure you have the kitchen doors and windows open whilst you clean. If you really don’t want to have to put in any effort, this oven cleaner will provide a deep clean without the need for scrubbing. For best results, leave on overnight - but be warned, seeing the dirt actually lift away from the oven is quite an addictive pastime!

4. HG oven grill & barbecue cleaner 500 ML

A heavy duty spray for ovens and BBQs

Specifications

Best for: BBQs and Grills
Type: Spray
Biodegradable: Yes
Cleaning time: 3-5 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to apply
+
Cuts through grease

Reasons to avoid

-
Very potent 

You’ll want to take precautions when using this oven cleaner, but you shouldn't be disappointed in the results if you are after a tough BBQ cleaner. This potent spray will cut through grease and grime, and aims for you to be able to simply wipe it away with minimal effort. Users found this product to be incredibly powerful, but it is advised to use gloves and protective eyewear as the formula is corrosive. If you are looking for an oven cleaner to spruce up a mildly dirty kitchen cooker, this will likely be overkill. However, if you have left your BBQ in a state of disarray over the winter, this tough cleaner is a sure fire way to reinvigorate your summer oven!

5. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

A traditional remedy that won’t let you down

Specifications

Best for: Reliable remedy
Type: Powder
Biodegradable: Yes
Cleaning time: leave for a few minutes and scrub

Reasons to buy

+
No harsh chemicals
+
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires elbow grease 

If you want to avoid all the harsh chemicals in some of the other oven cleaners on the market, then the trusty baking soda method is a surprisingly effective alternative. Arm & Hammer offer a large bag of baking soda specifically for cleaning purposes and users find this to be the best brand for creating a foamy formula that works wonders on grease and dirt. Simply mix with vinegar to create a natural cleaning product that won’t cause irritation to the skin. For its natural properties , this is the best oven cleaner for families with little ones in our round-up.

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