Tired of dirty oven racks? Check out this easy no-scrub trick for cleaning oven racks. You can clean oven racks without a bunch of scrubbing using ammonia!
I have always known an easy tip for cleaning an oven, but until recently had no way of cleaning oven racks easily.
So I was thrilled when a reader told me about this easy way to clean oven racks.
This simple tip is easy and doesn't require a lot of scrubbing. After you soak them you can wipe them down and most of the grime and food just falls right off.
If you want to get your oven racks looking clean and shiny check out this simple trick for cleaning oven racks with ammonia.
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Simple Tip For Cleaning Oven Racks
To clean oven racks without scrubbing you will need a few things.
Ingredients:
- Trash Bags
- ammonia
- oven racks
- Mr. Clean (if desired)
Note
You will need a couple of trash bags large enough for your oven racks and some ammonia. I just bought mine at CVS but if you are having a hard time finding it at the store you can also get it from Amazon.
You can see how dirty my oven racks were, to begin with.
Step By Step Instructions For Cleaning Oven Racks
Step 1: Place your oven racks in the trash bags, being careful not to rip or tear the trash bags.
Tip
I recommend using some pretty sturdy trash bags so you don't have problems with leaks or tears.
I used two trash bags just to make sure I didn't have any spills or leaks.
Step 2: Then, in a well-ventilated area, pour some ammonia into the trash bags. I did it in my garage, but you can also do it outside.
You don't need to cover the racks; add about 1-2 cups of ammonia. The fumes from the ammonia are what clean the oven racks.
Reader Tip
I had a reader comment that you can also put a small bowl in the trash bag full of ammonia so it doesn't leak and this has worked great.
Step 3: Once you have the ammonia added to the trash bags then you will want to seal up the trash bags. You want to make sure that the ammonia fumes aren't leaking out of the trash bag.
Step 4: Use packing tape (or other heavy-duty tape) to seal them up so they are fairly air-tight.
Soaking The Oven Racks
Step 5: Next, lay the oven racks down flat on the ground and let them soak for at least 2 hours.
Tip
The longer you let them sit the easier they are to scrub, however, I have heard stories of the finish coming off the oven racks when people let them sit overnight.
To be on the safe side I left them soaking in the ammonia for about 3 hours without any problems.
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Cleaning The Oven Racks
Step 6: After you let them sit for a couple of hours then you can open up the trash bags and carefully remove the oven racks.
Note
They will be wet and messy so I recommend doing it over a large trash can.
Step 7: Then take the oven racks to a kitchen sink so you can wipe them down.
I recommend running hot water over them to help rinse away any ammonia cleaner still left on them.
Step 8: Even though the grime and gunk were still attached to the oven racks after soaking, they will quickly come off when you wipe them down.
I didn't need to do a bunch of scrubbing to get them clean and shiny.
You can see in the picture below the grime and grease just wiped right off with a Mr. Clean sponge and a little dish soap.
Suggestion
If you don't have a sponge or brush to gently scrub off the rest of the baked on food you can also pop them in your dishwasher.
My oven looks great and the oven racks are now clean without a bunch of scrubbing. I was amazed at the difference.
If you want to get your oven racks clean without a bunch of scrubbing then try this simple trick for cleaning oven racks with ammonia. You will love it! It's an easy cleaning method without a bunch of work!
If you want to prevent a big mess from spills in the future check out these oven liners. They work great to keep the bottom of your oven free from spills and are easy to wash.
Want some other cleaning tips? Check out these brilliant kitchen cleaning hacks you will love.
How To Clean Oven Racks
Ingredients
- 1 Heavy Duty Trash Bag
- 1 Packing Tape
- 2 cups Ammonia
- 1 Magic Eraser if desired
Instructions
- Place your oven racks in the trash bags being careful not to rip or tear the trash bags.
- I used two trash bags just to make sure I didn't have any spills or leaks.
- Then, in a well-ventilated area pour some ammonia into the bags.
- You don't need to cover the racks, just add about 1-2 cups of ammonia. The fumes from the ammonia are what actually does the cleaning of the oven racks.
- Once you have the ammonia added to the trash bags then you will want to seal up the trash bags.
- You want to make sure that the ammonia fumes aren't leaking out of the trash bag.I just used some packing tape to seal them up so they were fairly air-tight.
- Next, lay the oven racks down flat on the ground and let them soak for at least 2 hours.
- The longer you let them sit the easier they are to scrub, however, I have heard stories of the finish coming off the oven racks when people let them sit overnight.
- After you let them sit for a couple of hours then you can open up the trash bags and carefully remove the oven racks.
- Then take the oven racks to a kitchen sink so you can wipe them down.I recommend running hot water over them to help rinse away any ammonia cleaner still left on them.
- Even though the grime and gunk were still attached to the oven racks after soaking it quickly came off when I wiped them down. I didn't need to do a bunch of scrubbing to get them clean and shiny.
This easy method of using ammonia to help soften and remove baked on food and grease works great on oven racks. In under a few hours, your oven racks will look like new.
Yes, it is safe to clean your home using ammonia. It has a strong odor so I recommend keeping the area well ventilated. Also, ammonia and bleach should never be mixed!
Glen Lawson says
How do you get the top of your stove clean around the metal ring around the burner? I have baked on grime that I cannot get off with out fear of taking off the finish on the stove. Burned on sugar water. Glen Lawsom
Julie says
You can see how I clean my gas stovetop at the link below.
https://www.frugallyblonde.com/how-to-clean-a-stovetop/
Colleen Yoho says
I use large heavy space-saving bags (like sold for vacuum sealing large bundles of bedding). Fill a glass custard cup with ammonia and close bag (do not vacuum seal!). Place in sun and ammonia gas will cut grease. Wash with soapy water and scrub sponge. Same principle; less messy:-)
Julie says
Thanks for sharing! That is a great idea. I can usually find those at the dollar store for a dollar so it is inexpensive too. Thanks!
Gina says
Another great way to clean the racks is take them outside on a sunny day lay them on newspaper. And spray them with oven cleaner, layer more newspaper over them and let them sit for a couple hours. Make sure no pets or kids can get to them. They wipe right up.
Julie says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Beth says
I just put a bowl of ammonia in the oven and leave it for several hours. But I'm not much of a neat freak so if the racks don't get super clean I just move on. I gave up long ago trying to keep up with every bit of dirt. It's easier to bar people from coming into my house.
J says
Okay....so I admittedly only clean my oven racks( and burner grates) when I can do it outside and hose them off in the grass after the ammonia or Dollar Store oven cleaner in a trash bag has done the heavy work. I don't even have to tape the bag - just fold it under. I have also held vthe bag open flat on the ground, held my breath and sprayed the oven cleaner into the bag before quickly folding it under.