1. ESTABLISH A CLEANING ROUTINE
It's the same as most other chores: if you leave it too long, the job only gets harder. Instead, make an effort to clean your oven and range on a regular basis. That includes cleaning the oven interior and cleaning the glass door.
You should also avoid leaving grease for too long and immediately address any food spillages or debris once the oven has cooled. After all, grease is one of the most common causes of oven smoke.
GLASS COOKTOP CARE
Keeping your range looking new is easy with proper cleaning. Watch this video to learn more about selecting the best cleaners, proper maintenance practices, and identifying the right cookware to use.
2. REMOVE ACCESSORIES TO CLEAN THEM
It's easier to clean the various components of your range or oven after you take them apart. But you won't need your screwdriver: we're simply talking about cleaning the oven racks, burner grates, baking trays, and any other item that's likely to end up covered in food residue.
For smaller items like burner grates, spray them generously with oven cleaner and seal them in a zip-top plastic bag overnight. The next day, wash them with soapy water before giving them a thorough rinse.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN OVEN-CLEANING SOLUTION
You may find that chemical oven cleaners have an overpowering smell and—more importantly—are not recommended by your oven's user manual, depending on the model. In that case, you may want to try concocting your own cleaning solution.
The simple combination of baking soda, white vinegar, and water is a time-tested household cleaning supply. It's natural, gentle, and unlike some chemical cleaners it won't leave behind a powdery residue that generates smoke when you use your oven again. Just remember not to spray directly on any raised knobs on your range, which could cause electrical issues. You should be able to remove the knobs and wash them separately.
4. PREVENT SPILLS AS THEY HAPPEN
Use high-sided baking and broiling pans to reduce the amount of grease, oil, and other debris that spray onto your oven's interior. You can also use spare baking trays or non-stick oven mats to catch drips or debris falling from higher shelves. Just make sure these trays or mats aren't so large that they impede the flow of air inside the oven.
To reduce the amount of food residue on the heating elements, leave at least three inches clearance for both the baking element (at the bottom) and the broiling element (at the top). The same applies to the burners in gas ovens.