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No one likes cleaning greasy kitchen appliances – but some, such as the microwave, the oven and the hob, can really clog up with the nasty grime. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily get all three sparkling.
Grease can be incredibly stubborn – and it builds over time, getting harder to clean the longer you leave it. That is why it is so important to know a few hacks to cleaning greasy kitchen appliances before they become a major problem!
Not only is the grease pretty grim to look at, but it can also leave lingering smells, clog up our appliances, and, if we are not careful, make its way into our food.
Here’s how to say goodbye to the challenge of cleaning greasy kitchen appliances and to a new way of cleaning your appliances with ease. Hint: you’re going to need everyone’s favourite natural cleaning product, baking soda!
Cleaning a Greasy Microwave
The humble microwave tends to be an appliance that people complain about the most regarding grease. Considering the condensation and varied types of food that we put in there (not to mention the chaos that can reign when we do not cover the food up), it is only natural that grease builds up in there over time.
Thankfully, the microwave also happens to be possibly the easiest appliance to clean. In fact, the appliance will mostly do the job for you on its own.
There are plenty of methods for cleaning grease out of a microwave, including using various cleaning products, special sponges, etc. However, we will always recommend the easiest and most efficient route to grease-free living.
Simply take a microwavable bowl and fill with hot water about halfway up. Then, add lemon slices to the bowl before placing it in the microwave (remember to use gloves).
Once the bowl is in the microwave, turn it on full power for at least three minutes, letting the steam cover the interior. Once the microwave has finished its cooking cycle, remove the bowl (again, wearing gloves as it will be boiling hot), take a clean cloth, and wipe out the condensation.
If there are some stubborn stains in there, then some people use white vinegar to spray inside of the microwave before wiping it out again. Or, simply repeat the process until your microwave is spotless. This technique works perfectly well, is completely natural, and will leave your microwave smelling and looking perfect.
You can also add lemon juice to the water before you switch the microwave on, too – the acid should help to fizzle away the worst in burned-on grease. However, this method varies in terms of success, so see how you get on!
Cleaning a Greasy Hob
If you have a glass hob, then you should use whatever cleaning products the manufacturer recommends – that’s the golden rule. Glass hobs are wonderful to look at and are easy to use – however, they are notorious for scratching. The last thing you’ll want to do is to replace grease with nasty, permanent scratches.
The manufacturer of your hob will know the best ways to clean it without scratching, so do consult your instruction manual or simply contact the manufacturer directly before starting to clean it.
However, if you have a general hob that is covered in grease, here’s where we come in.
First of all, you should start by taking away any removable parts from the stove. That includes the supports, the burner tops, and even the knobs if possible. Put them in warm soapy water in your sink. Dish soap will work perfectly well to soak these pieces in.
Then, mix baking soda with dish soap and a little salt if needed to cover the cooking top. Scrub down the hob with a brush or a damp cloth to reach the tricky spots.
Then, simply pass a clean, damp cloth over the stove before rinsing the hob parts, drying them, and putting them back on the hob.
Knowing how to clean a hob of grease is half the battle – this can take quite a bit of elbow grease, and as such, you’re going to need to give yourself a stock of free time beforehand.
Cleaning Greasy Kitchen Appliances: The Oven
Who genuinely likes cleaning a greasy oven? No one – that’s why so many people opt for chemical formulas – but thankfully, there are ways you can clean out your oven cavity with household products and not too much effort.
When it comes to cleaning greasy kitchen appliances, the oven can be the hardest appliance to clean, especially if it has not been cleaned for a while. Not only does the grease build-up become very difficult to manage, but the burnt food debris can be very difficult to remove.
Try combining baking soda and water until it makes a paste. Then, cover the inside of the oven cavity with the paste, letting it sit overnight for about twelve hours. After this time has passed, remove the paste with a clean, damp cloth. You may occasionally have to use a spray of white vinegar to remove some stubborn paste.
Of course, if the idea of cleaning out a greasy oven by hand at all really sends shivers down your spine, consider purchasing a self-cleaning oven. These units often have pyrolytic technology, which means they lightly heat up and burn off grease so that it’s clear to just wipe over.
That said, self-cleaning ovens can be quite expensive – so balance the cost with the regular hassle of applying elbow grease.
Conclusion to Cleaning Greasy Kitchen Appliances
Although grease can be difficult to handle, it doesn’t have to be rocket science to remove it. As you have seen, simply having some lemons, baking soda, and white vinegar to hand is often enough for cleaning greasy kitchen appliances.
The key to keeping your kitchen looking great is by thoroughly cleaning, and doing so more frequently. We know it can be a pain, but it will keep your appliances functioning properly for longer, and it will help keep your kitchen looking spectacular – you can trust us on this!
