We all know one of the most arduous chores in the house is cleaning the oven, which is made trickier when your oven racks are covered in grease, grime and charred food.

Not only do clean racks look much more appealing to cook with than dirty ones, there are other reasons you should keep your racks clean. Dirty oven racks can be hazardous as burnt pieces of food can be a fire hazard. Plus, having clean oven racks can make sure that the taste of your food isn't compromised and even make your oven more efficient! 

Unfortunately, this task does not get any easier the longer you leave it, so let’s get ready to clean your oven racks today with these two tips.

Before you get started, here are a few general oven-cleaning tips you should know:

1. Before you begin, make sure your oven is switched off and disconnected from the main power source.
2. If you’ve recently used your oven, make sure you allow enough time for it to cool down before cleaning.
3. If your oven comes with catalytic liners, you will not need to clean them as they are cleaned automatically once your oven reaches 200°C.

Note: If your oven has catalytic side and back walls, you don’t need to clean these, thanks to their porous surface, which attracts and burns the oil off.

How to remove your oven racks

Aside from your standard sliding racks, some ovens will allow you to remove the side racks supports. If you have a Beko model, see this this support video on how to remove the side racks. Beko oven side racks are designed for easy removal and hassle-free cleaning. Alternatively, follow these quick and easy steps to find out how to do this:

1. Remove the side racks by pulling the front section outwards

2. The front section will pop out then, remove the rack by pulling it towards you

3. Clean using warm water, washing up liquid, and a soft cloth or sponge

Two easy ways to clean your greasy oven racks with minimum hassle

1. How to clean oven racks with store-bought oven cleaner

Firstly, you can pick up oven cleaners from your local supermarket. Each of these instructions may differ slightly in the length of time to leave, so ensure you read the instructions on the particular product. Many of these can contain strong fumes, so be careful to clean in a well-ventilated area.

Generally, you can use store oven cleaners as follows:  

Step 1: Cover a work surface with newspaper 

Step 2: Lay down racks and put on plastic gloves to protect your hands

Step 3: Spray the oven cleaner thoroughly onto both sides of the racks

Step 4: Leave the racks to sit for the recommended time for that product

Step 5: Scrub the racks with an old tea towel or toothbrush 

Step 6: Rinse thoroughly

2. How to clean oven racks with dishwashing liquid

Alternatively, you can use a towel and dishwashing liquid and leave the racks to soak overnight in a bathtub or sink. The longer the oven racks are left to soak, the easy is it to get the grime off!

Step 1: Line bathtub with an old towel to avoid racks scratching, or you can use sponges on each corner

Step 2: Lay racks on top of towel or sponges

Step 3: Fill the tub with hot water until the racks are just covered 

Step 4: Add half a cup of dishwashing liquid

Step 5: After they have been left to soak, use a sponge or old tea towel to wipe off stains 

Now that your oven racks are spick and span, here are a couple of tips to keep them that way for longer!

1. After you use the oven, grab a sponge, washing liquid and warm water to wash the racks. This will avoid build-up and help you keep your oven cleaner for longer!
2. Wipe up spills immediately. If left they can solidify and burn onto your oven.
3. Ensure you use the correct size cooking equipment to avoid food spilling over.
4. Try an oven liner to keep the surfaces clean.
5. Use an oven bag when roasting to keep food inside. Oven bags can also enrich flavours for a tastier meal.

For more general oven-cleaning see Beko’s video here or explore Beko’s range of ovens.