Cleaning the oven is often considered one of the most dreaded household tasks. Frequently overlooked, sometimes for months, the gruelling task can involve tackling burnt-on food residues, oil spills, and stubborn grease smears.
These blemishes can be tough to scrub away, leaving the oven and your kitchen looking unloved and neglected.
But fear not, because for those who struggle with a grimy oven, consumer champions at Which? have stepped in with some advice, reports the Express.
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They’ve shared several straightforward strategies to keep your kitchen cleaning burden light throughout the year, including one tip that could cut your oven cleaning efforts by half.
The specialists said: “These easy kitchen maintenance jobs should stop dirt and grime building up, and help keep wear and tear to a minimum (hopefully preventing the need for expensive repairs further down the line).”
Those battling with a dirty oven will be relieved to hear from the experts about a very accessible £1.90 gadget that seriously simplifies the cleaning process.
Investing in an oven liner is a game-changer, allowing you to space out the cleanings and making them far less difficult.
Positioned at the base of your oven, these mats, often constructed from silicone, act as a catch-all for any grease, oil, and crumbs that might escape from cooking dishes.
As a result, the debris never actually hits the oven surface, avoiding the creation of those persistent, hard-to-scrub spots.
You can easily remove an oven liner for a quick rinse or scrub, and some are even dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleaning process.
A set of two oven liners is available on eBay for just £3.89, which works out at about £1.95 each. Alternatively, Dunelm offers a roll of heavy-duty oven liner for £4, allowing you to cut off as much as you need.
However, experts have cautioned about selecting the appropriate oven liner for your appliance.
They advised: “Just make sure that you get the right one for your oven: you will need to buy a heavy-duty liner if you have a fan oven, and you should check the temperature they can withstand if you are regularly cooking at a high heat.”
They also warned: “You might not be able to place your liner at the base of your oven if the heating element is in the bottom.”