Or is a dirty oven really that unusual??

[SandysMam]

I am currently having my oven cleaned by a professional oven cleaner. That is his main job...to clean the ovens of those who cannot be bothered. I will admit my oven is disgusting, I mean really gross, but probably no worse than anyone else who cooks but doesn't have time to clean it. However, upon inspection the man appeared shocked and disgusted!! Not even an act to justify his existence, genuinely shocked. I mean seriously, if your oven is bad enough to call in a pro cleaner, what does he expect? Or do people pay £40 to get thier already clean ovens cleaned? Am IBU or is he??

I'm getting two brand new ovens in 2 weeks time. As I've known this for a while I haven't considered cleaning my existing oven for a very long time

It's been very freeing

I thought we were grim, not cleaning our oven for months at a time. But we do it about four times a year! I'm feeling smug now.

You would move ? Seriously ?

Seriously some of you are skanks. Not cleaned in FIVE YEARS ? Christ on a Bike that's fucking rank.

This thread has got some very, very funny posts. And most of it is a relief for me to read, there are so many posters on MN who seem to spend their entire lives cleaning their things (some of them have posted here now though).

But I'm gobsmacked by the dog who left the house and wouldn't come back because the owners cooked a duck.
The last time we roasted a duck, the dog sat up after about half an hour and starting licking her lips. We had to drag her out for her walk that day, and she couldn't wait to get home again and sniff the ducky deliciousness

ioo

When we moved a few months ago, I got the Oven Cleaners in to do the oven. I did not think it was very bad, I had never cleaned it but the cleaner had a few times (in 5 years). It was amazing how clean it looked, a 15 year old cooker looked like new. Cost £80, double oven, well worth it.

Now we have moved and have a brand new range. I will get the Oven Cleaners in once a year to clean it. Just looked at it though and the trays could do with a scrub, might have to do that.

I have got the to age that I know I do not like cleaning and dont want to spend my time doing things I do not like, so I just pay someone else to do it. Much easier and less stress. Then I have more time for MN.

It must be 20 years since I last cleaned an oven. Every so often we get a new one.

Life's too short.

I just looked at my oven. It's not very pretty. I know this is BEYOND crap, but ours is self cleaning, but I don't know how to do it. Any advice?

I never clean my ovens, they get done annually by a professional oven cleaning company. Better things to do with my time...

Interesting that oven cleaning mainly seems to be seen as a woman's job? My OH eats the same food as me, cooked in the same oven, but seeing as so far in 10 years of marriage he's never cleaned it, I've never once wondered whether I should?!

I never clean my ovens, they get done annually by a professional oven cleaning company. Better things to do with my time...

Annually?

So you don't cook much?

It must be 20 years since I last cleaned an oven. Every so often we get a new one
Life's too short.

Do you pay?

We've had our oven for 4 months and I haven't cleaned it yet. eek.

On the topic of ovens, why is it that every oven I get I end up scrubbing the numbers off near the hobs? I've done it on every oven we've had ranging from cheap to expensive.

as long as you don't have maggots apparently it's not that bad ...

What the hell do people cook that leaves dirt all over the inside of their ovens after a single use??

Life is WAY too short to clean your oven any more often than it actually needs it. I means, I guess if having a clean oven is the thing that makes you happiest in the world, go for it. But I hope I never have to sit next to you at a social event because jesus fuck that is boring.

Do the people who clean their hobs after every use have convection hobs? If so I can see why they clean after each use- it's very easy and if you don't do it splatters burn on.
It's not necessary if you have a gas hob though. A couple of times a week is fine and I can see the advantage of doing it more often (unless you have nothing better to do obviously).

I can can't see the advantage of doing it more often

I had a new kitchen fitted with twin ovens, ans I was determined to keep them clean. Partly because cooking food in a greasy oven imparts a sour flavour to it.

By experiment, I found that if you have fan option, then use it. Stuff cooks quicker and there is less mess.

Secondly, I put all my dishes, chip portions, burgers, steaks, chops etc. into non-stick oven trays, each covered by aluminium foil. This ensures they cook nicely, with the foil holding in moisture & flavour and preventing grease from splashing around.

I use "Mermaid" non-stick oven trays, which are of professional quality, expensive to buy, but of "brick sh*t house" quality. The trays I use are of half oven width, so that you can get two trays onto each oven shelf.

Most meals can normally be cooked using no more than two or more of these trays.

I use that Oven Pride stuff every couple of months but don't know what to do with the glass in the door. You can't see into our oven as the glass is so dirty despite attempts to clean it.
Does anyone have any top tips?

Don't clean it with abrasive pads, you will scratch it.

I use oven cleaner followed by white spirit to dissolve any remaining grease.

If you really don't like cleaning your oven, go vegetarian. I am veggie and use my oven a lot but there is so little grease and fat involved that it rarely needs cleaned. Lining the grill pan with one of those rinse clean liners cuts down on the work too.

It must be 20 years since I last cleaned an oven. Every so often we get a new one. Life's too short.

Do you pay?

Well it's not the sort of thing you can sneak out inside your coat is it?

It's a slippery slope all this oven cleaning malarkey,

One day your scrubbing away enjoying the wiff of oven pride next your out cold on the living room floor,with weeping sores all round your mouth and nose having taken up a solvent habit and or sat in the clink because you have to shop lift pritt sticks to feed your habit.

Best avoided really

at needsasock

Just spat my coffee out needsasock
If it wipes off clean it. If not leave it as anything bad is incinerated. Cannot clean my oven or have it cleaned as I cannot cope with the thought of residual chemicals in my oven. I did start off with best of intentions to use lemon and bicarb conscientiously but unfortunately I lacked the necessary application. I am an oven sloven

Ironically those that get their ovens professionally cleaned once a year probably have cleaner ovens than those who clean them themselves more often but can't cook without dropping food and grease everywhere.
The professional cleaner we used didn't use nasty chemicals either.