Oven racks and even air fryer baskets are among the most annoying things to clean in the kitchen. They’re somehow always greasy, their design is finicky to scrub clean, and most of the time, they don’t fit in the sink. The worst part? After a whole lot of elbow grease, they somehow still manage to stay grimy, making all the effort (and cleaning products) you’ve put in feel like a waste of time.
The good news is that we’ve found the best methods for cleaning your oven racks of stubborn grease, saving you the hassle of having to find the best cleaner and method yourself. Use our guide to get those oven racks and air fryer baskets gleaming like the day you bought them.
How to clean your oven racks of stubborn grease stains
With all the glorious foods you’ve baked, roasted and air-fried, it’s really no wonder why oven racks and air fryer baskets are among the greasiest and most stained bits in the kitchen. But oh boy, are those cakes, breads, Sunday roasts, and crispy potato wedges worth it (ok, kind of).
Instead of splurging on a manufactured oven cleaner (and then coughing up a lung when using it), use our top 2 combinations that use cleaning products you no doubt have stocked in the cupboard already.
Combo #1: Hot water & a dishwasher tablet
Dishwasher detergent is specially formulated to break down grease. Pair that with hot water, and those stubborn grease stains should give way.
What you’ll need:
- 1 dishwasher tablet (or about 1/4 to 1/2 cap dishwasher detergent)
- Access to a bath or large container
- Hot water
- Liquid dish soap (like Sunlight)
- Scrubbing brush
- Sponge
- Gloves
Steps:
- Remove grease-stained oven racks (or air fryer baskets) and pop them into a large container or bathtub.
- Pop a dishwasher tablet (or 1/4 to 1/2 cap dishwasher detergent) into the container/tub and cover the racks with hot water.
- Leave to soak for at least an hour (maximum 8 hours).
- Drain the container/tub and cover the racks again with hot water and pour in a couple of drops of your favourite liquid dish soap.
- Get your gloves on and use the scrubbing brush to scrub stubborn stains, and a sponge to get into all the nooks and crannies.
- Rinse and dry before placing them back in the oven/air fryer.
Combo #2: Bicarbonate of soda and hydrogen peroxide
Making a paste with bicarb and hydrogen peroxide can make many a cleaning task that much easier. Although a messier method than #1, it really works for getting rid of baked-on grease.
What you’ll need:
- 1 to 2 cups bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 to 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- Small plastic bowl
- Rubber gloves
- Large container or bathtub
- Scrubbing brush
- Sponge
- Liquid dish soap
Steps:
- Remove the oven racks and place them in a large container or bathtub.
- In a small bowl, mix equal parts bicarb and hydrogen peroxide to make a thick and pliable paste.
- Pop on your gloves and apply the paste onto the oven racks – ensure you’re generous here.
- Leave to sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Cover the racks with hot water and pour in a couple of drops of liquid dish soap. Use the scrubbing brush and/or sponge to scrub the racks clean.
- Dry completely before replacing.
If all else fails?
If, after all this, your racks still have caked-on grease, it’s time for the last try. While we did say that the effects of oven cleaner are really awful, they still get the job done. While most oven cleaners are super pricey and feel like a health hazard, they’ve been formulated to get rid of the worst grease stains you can think of (that’s why they are perfect to use to clean the braai). And if the above cleaning methods just don’t do the trick, oven cleaner as a last resort should do it. Otherwise, it might be time to get replacements.
Also See: How to clean oven glass properly and get rid of stubborn stains
How to clean oven glass properly and get rid of stubborn stains
