How to Steam Clean an Oven

Over time, baked-on grease, food splatters and grime can build up in your oven, making it difficult to keep clean. Steam cleaning is an easy and effective method to tackle the mess and have your oven looking sparkling clean again. With water and a few simple tools, you can get rid of any built-up grime and residue, effectively restoring your oven’s surfaces.

Steam cleaning an oven effectively requires just a few simple supplies. Before getting started, ensure you have the following tools and materials on hand:

• Steamer/steam cleaning appliance: This can be a handheld garment steamer, a wall-mounted steamer, or a dedicated steam cleaning appliance. Choose one that can produce a continuous stream of hot, pressurized steam.
• Microfiber cloths: Have several clean microfiber cloths on hand to wipe away grime after steaming. The cloth's microfibers grab and trap residues.
• Oven mitts: For protection when handling hot oven surfaces after steaming.
• Non-scratch sponge or scrub brush: For extra scrubbing power if needed on tough spots after steaming.
• Baking soda: Optional for deodorizing and extra cleaning action.

With the right supplies gathered, you're ready to start the steam cleaning process. Tackling an oven steam clean may seem daunting, but following these steps in order will make it efficient and effective:

1. Remove oven racks and wash them separately. Removing the racks provides better access to the oven's interior surfaces. Clean racks separately in the sink or dishwasher.
2. Fill the steam cleaner with water, then allow time for the water to heat to create steam.
3. Steam interior oven surfaces thoroughly. Working section by section, hold the steamer nozzle 2-3 inches away from oven surfaces. Steam walls, door and bottom of your oven thoroughly—the steam will soften baked-on grime.
4. Wipe away grime with a clean microfiber cloth immediately after steaming each section. Repeat steaming and wiping until clean.
5. Scrub tougher spots with a sponge or brush. For any leftover sticky spots or heavily baked-on grime, apply extra steam focused on those areas, let penetrate and scrub away the residue with a non-scratch scrub brush or sponge.
6. Steam and wipe the door exterior and glass. Use the steam cleaning process to remove built-up grime from the exterior oven door and glass window sections.
7. Remove and wash grease filters. If your oven has grease filters in the back, remove them and wash them in hot soapy water if needed after the oven is cleaned.
8. Deodorize. Sprinkle some baking soda in the oven after cleaning, then wipe around to distribute it evenly. Let sit for a few hours or overnight before wiping out. The baking soda will help absorb odors.

With some time and elbow grease, steam cleaning can have your oven looking and smelling fresh again. Be sure to do spot checks and repeated steam applications on any especially stubborn spots. Take safety precautions and use heat-proof gloves when handling recently steamed hot oven surfaces. If you're considering upgrading your kitchen appliances and want a new oven for your kitchen, check out our wall oven buying guide for helpful information. If you're still unsure which type of oven is best for your home, call our team at 800-860-3577 and we'd be happy to help.