What's this black/brown sticky goo that's impossible to remove from my oven?

[beaniebaby25]

Inspired by the 'paying to have someone clean your oven' thread - does anyone know what that gloopy black/brown gunk is that sticks to grill pans, wire racks and (most irritatingly) the bottom of the oven? My Mr Muscle won't touch it, even though it gets rid of ordinary burnt on stuff, and i have to scrape it off, while trying not to damage the oven. I HATE it.

Will any normal cleaners get this off? And what is it?!?! Is it fat? I think I grilled some sausages once, but i mainly use the oven for baking muffins, heating plates, cooking lasagnes, nothing more adventurous than that. I dont understand where it comes from or how to get rid of it! HELP!

Burnt fat and yes it will come off - I tend to use a scraper (we have a glass hob) - use something like washing up liquid and plop it on first, leave for a minute, then scrape it. Tis very good exercise.

Sorry. Am childishly amused by how this looks in activeconvos:

Good housekeeping : What's this black/brown sticky goo that's impossible to remove from my oven? 2 Posts. Latest: from whomovedmychocolate

So that's where it ended up!

Apart from demonstrating an appalling sense of humour, i should also add I leave a tray in the bottom of the oven so I can take it out and clean it in the sink.

You can also get heavy duty oven cleaner stuff in a tin.

damn... is there no magic cure? Industrial strength oven cleaner? I don't mind exercise in a gym but can't stand scrubbing an oven

You can make a paste of washing powder and leave it on overnight and then wipe it or get a silicon oven mat from Lakeland.

I have a self cleaning oven

Try Lakeland Oven Mate.

IotasCat - I too have a self-cleaning oven, but it doesn't clean to my high standards

oooooh loving the ideas here. I can't believe I honestly never thought of putting a tray or something similar in the bottom of the oven! Brilliant. Thats everyone...

oh and motherofcheeses - I have a very similar sense of humour!!!

I have somebody in to clean my oven fairly regularly as I have this awful stuff and it drives me mad. I have tried every oven product known to man - but I was told by a couple of different oven people that its carbon. And that carbon is also the black stuff that stays on your oven trays etc. You can scrap it off but can bugger your trays and oven. Best clean I've had so far has been from OVENU.....

Oven Pride every time - 'tis the DB's...

Mr Muscle works a treat. Mine is so grotty it sometimes takes 2 rounds.

You can get a thick black plasticy (but not plastic, obviously) sheet thing from Lakeland which you cut to size to fit the bottom of the oven, and it washes in the dishwasher. Can't remember what it's called, but I'm sure you could find it easily on their site.

I used Oven Pride last time I cleaned the oven and it really was a revelation. You don't have to scrub at all, the gunk just wipes off.

LAkeland oven mate works a treat every time, you brush it on and leave it and then wipe it off.
I Do Not Scrub. It suits me perfectly

thanks paulosgirl - a quick google tells me Oven Pride is like a bag that you put the racks in - what do you use on the bottom of the oven?

Mr Muscle doesn't even touch the sides

I put a baking sheet or tin foil at the bottom of my oven. This thread has reminded me that I really do need to give it a clean