Gas ovens may feel old-school, but they’re familiar and reliable. They heat up quicker than an electric oven, and they won’t dry out food; however, they can be trickier to maintain.
Don’t wait until something boils over, though – regular cleaning keeps the oven hygienic, improves cooking efficiency, and prolongs its lifespan.
That goes double for gas ovens, as any grease or food residue can pose a fire risk!
How to clean a gas oven? Baking soda or vinegar are great natural cleaners, but you can also use commercial cleaning products. Make sure to rinse and dry the oven afterwards to remove any residue.
It’ll take some elbow grease to clean that oven grease, but your future self will thank you!
Before Cleaning | How to Clean | Cleaning the Igniter | Cleaning the Accessories | Using the Self-Cleaning Feature | FAQs
How Often Should I Clean a Gas Oven?
As with other cooking appliances, tackle any spills and messes immediately. This will prevent any food or grease from scorching inside the oven or baking on the surfaces.
Lightly clean the oven after every use. You can quickly steam clean your oven or wipe it using a damp cloth.
Spot clean or wipe down the exterior surfaces a few times a week to minimise dust and dirt build-up.
Deep clean a gas oven once every 3 months (or every 6 months if you use it infrequently).
You can clean the oven alongside your gas stove top – or add it on when you book a professional house cleaning!
Before Cleaning a Gas Oven
When cleaning an oven, always make sure it’s switched off and cooled down completely. This minimises the risk of injury and of any cleaning products burning onto the surfaces.
If possible, disconnect or switch off the gas as an additional safety measure.
No matter what cleaning solution you use, avoid getting it on the heating elements or pilot light!
You could damage the internal mechanisms, and no one wants oven cleaning to turn into oven-repair-with-a-hefty-bill.
Remove any racks and trays – you can clean those separately.
How to Clean a Gas Oven
Before anything else, layer some old newspapers or towels on the floor underneath and around your oven. These will catch any debris and drips from cleaning.
Start by brushing out any crumbs and food debris from the bottom of the oven. If there are any fresh spills, mop them up with a paper towel.
Depending on your model, you may also have to clean between the glass of an oven door. Consult the manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions.
All these methods will work to clean a gas oven that isn’t self-cleaning!
Using white vinegar
Vinegar is a fantastic multi-purpose cleaner, and it works a treat in your dirty oven! This method is best for mild dirt or routine cleaning.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, along with a few drops of dish soap. Give it a good shake, then spritz it onto the oven surfaces.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a sponge or cloth to wipe the oven clean.
You can also use the vinegar mixture to clean the oven door! It works well for stainless steel ovens, so long as you wipe with the grain for a streak-free shine.
Using baking soda
This is one of the best ways to clean a gas oven without chemicals and commercial cleaners.
Mix 3 parts baking soda (or bicarb soda) with 1 part water to make a cleaning paste – enough for the entire oven. You can add a few drops of dish soap for extra cleaning power.
With a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning pad, apply the baking soda paste all over, from the oven bottom to the door. Avoid any vents and heating elements.
Leave the baking soda mixture for a few hours at least. For a deep clean, let it sit overnight. You’ll know it’s worked when you come back to brown, gritty residue that’s soaked up all the grease and grime.
Use a damp sponge or cloth to scrub the oven surfaces clean. Rinse the sponge or cloth when it gets too dirty. You can also spritz a little vinegar on any particularly stubborn debris.
Use a damp cloth to clean off any baking soda residue, then lightly spray the surfaces with the vinegar and water mix. Wipe everything dry.
Using Dawn Powerwash
The advantage of Dawn Powerwash is that it doesn’t need any water to activate. Instead, simply spray it onto a dirty surface and let it work its magic.
Carefully spray Dawn Powerwash over the oven walls and door, then leave it for 5-10 minutes. Once time is up, wipe off the “dissolved” grease and grime with some paper towels.
Repeat if necessary until your dirty oven is fully clean.
Rinse off any remaining product with a soft cloth dampened with clean water. Be thorough, as Dawn Powerwash can leave a soapy residue when used.
Follow with a clean cloth to dry.
Using oven cleaner
If you want to clean a gas oven with minimal scrubbing, your best bet is a commercial oven cleaner. It’s also most effective for cleaning a really dirty gas oven.
Easy-Off Oven Cleaner is an online favourite, as is Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser. Test the product on a small spot in your oven before use to make sure it won’t cause any damage.
When using commercial oven cleaners, follow the instructions and do not combine them with other solutions.
Wipe off any residue with a dampened microfibre cloth – or give the oven a quick wash with some dish soap and water. Dry all surfaces thoroughly afterwards.
Using ammonia
You can clean a gas oven with ammonia, but you’ll need to be very careful. Work with protective gear and keep the fans running to ventilate any fumes.
Heat your oven to about 93ºC (200ºF), then shut it off. Disconnect the gas if you’re able, and never put ammonia in your oven while it’s on.
Take two glass oven-safe dishes (glass, not metal!) – add 2 cups of ammonia in one, and just-boiled water to the other. Place the ammonia dish on the upper rack, then the water below it.
Close the door and leave for several hours (but keep an eye on the oven for any safety hazards). Afterwards, you can wipe the oven clean with a sponge or cleaning pad.
Check your local council regulations on proper ammonia disposal.
How to Clean the Gas Oven Igniter
Most modern gas ovens will have an electronic igniter, while older models will have a pilot light (a tiny flame). Both serve the same function – to ignite the gas and turn on the heat.
Igniters typically require little maintenance, but they can get dirty from grease splatter or other spills.
To know if there’s an issue with the igniter, check the manual for the type and look for these signs:
- Electronic igniters: A clicking noise when you try to turn on the oven (from the electric current)
- Pilot lights: No flame or light when you turn the knobs
To clean the igniter, you can use an old toothbrush and some soapy water. Remove the cover and gently scrub off any gunk. For stubborn dirt, try chipping it off with a plastic tool.
Some gas stoves may need you to lift off the cooktop to access the igniter. Check your manual for instructions.
Inspect the igniter for any damage while you’re cleaning, and make sure to dry it thoroughly afterwards!
NOTE: If your oven isn’t igniting and there’s a gas scent, it could mean the gas burner isn’t working properly. A repairman can diagnose the problem.
However, if you hear a hissing noise alongside a strong scent, shut off the oven and immediately contact emergency services or your gas company’s emergency line – that could signal a leak.
Cleaning Oven Accessories
Besides the interior and exterior surfaces, you should also clean the oven knobs, racks, and other accessories.
You can use the same cleaning solution as you would with a gas stove: vinegar! But don’t spray this time – instead, mix equal parts vinegar and hot water in a bowl.
Dip a microfibre cloth into the solution, then carefully wipe any knobs and buttons. For any crevices and grooves, use a cotton bud.
Don’t let the vinegar sit for too long, as it can etch the finish of your gas oven.
For other accessories, you can clean oven racks with either baking soda or commercial cleaners! Meanwhile, oven trays can be cleaned with soda crystals or Bar Keepers Friend.
Thoroughly rinse and dry the oven racks, trays, and pans afterwards.
Oven Cleaning Using the Self-Cleaning Feature
Self-cleaning gas ovens raise the temperatures in your oven to incinerate any debris inside.
Read your oven’s manual first to get a full understanding of your oven’s self-cleaning function. Keep the kitchen well-ventilated and keep any small kids or pets out of the room.
Switch on any vents and open the windows to let out smoke, odours, and hot air. Remove oven racks, trays, and other items, and clean up any big spills or crumbs to minimise smoke.
The self-cleaning feature heats the oven to high temperatures (about 500ºC or 932ºF), so any grease or food can create a lot of smoke.
A self-clean cycle typically lasts 3-5 hours. Avoid leaving your oven unattended during this time, as the high heat can be a fire hazard.
Wait until your oven cools completely before touching it. Wipe away the ash and residue with a damp cloth. For stubborn debris, use a cooktop scraper.
NOTE: Some ovens may have a steam clean feature, where you pour water into a built-in container. The oven then heats the steam, which will loosen any dirt inside and make it easier to clean.
Check if your gas oven has this feature, as it’s generally safer than the self-cleaning cycle.
FAQs About Cleaning a Gas Oven
Got more questions about how to clean a gas oven? Here are some handy tips and info.
Can you use oven cleaner in a gas oven?
Yes, you can use commercial oven cleaners to clean a gas oven – with some caveats!
Do not apply the oven cleaner to any heating element, and be sure to wipe away all product residue.
Follow the instructions on how long you need to wait before you can use your oven again.
How do you get baked-on grease out of a gas oven?
One great hack for removing baked-on grease and food is to heat your oven to 50º for a few minutes! This will warm up any debris so it’s easier to remove with a cooktop scraper.
Wear rubber gloves while working so you don’t injure yourself.
If that doesn’t work, go in with the baking soda paste. Baking soda absorbs grease and is mildly abrasive, so it’s great for scrubbing off oily messes.
To minimise messes and keep a clean oven, place a baking sheet or some aluminium foil on the bottom rack whenever you’re cooking.
Do not cook anything directly on an oven rack, as these could make a mess.
Can you manually clean a gas self-cleaning oven?
Yes, you can! However, you should never use any products with the self-cleaning cycle.
