How to Clean Oven Racks with Ease: No Scrubbing

Possibly the most dreaded task when cleaning your kitchen lies in the oven. Cleaning oven racks, or shelves, when baked in grease and grime is no easy task even for the meticulous clean freak. So, where should one begin when embarking on this beast of burden? Depending on the size of your kitchen sink, and the cleaning materials you already have, you may be better off than you think.

Nevertheless, My Worthy Home has got you covered with four well-researched methods on how to clean oven racks easily without scrubbing. All four methods listed are effective and low-effort. However, we vetted each to determine which one is the best overall.

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Oven Racks

Knowing how to clean oven racks is important for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, letting grease and grime build up in your oven can lead to dangerous safety and fire risks. Additionally, baked on food that is left behind for too long can eventually rust and wear down your oven. Not only is it just not safe to leave your oven racks dirty, it can decrease the lifespan of your oven and affect the taste and smell of your future meals. 

Related: Health Risks and Dangers of A Dirty Oven 

Related: What to Do If an Oven Fire Happens

Signs that your oven racks need cleaning: 

• visible grease and grime buildup
• crusty food residue
• lingering odors
• smoke when the oven is turned on
• food cooking unevenly
• an oven that’s slow to heat up
• difficulty seeing through the oven door

How to Clean Your Oven Racks: 4 Effective, Low-Effort Methods (No Scrubbing Required)

Method #1: Bar Keepers Friend

What you’ll need:

• Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser
• Water
• Basting brush (optional)
• Abrasive sponge

Steps: First, make a paste by mixing Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser and water. Then apply the paste directly to the front and back sides of the oven racks with a basting brush or sponge until the racks are covered completely. Let the paste sit for 45 to 60 minutes then rinse well with an abrasive sponge and warm water.

This is the most effective method for cleaning oven racks with minimal effort in a short period of time. This method can be done right in your sick, in the bathtub, or outside.

User testimonial: “This method is a bit messy (the paste will drip), but holy cow, it works wonders! It ended up being my favorite method because it was easy and cleaned with very minimal effort.” – Ashley Poskin 

Method #2: Easy-Off Oven Cleaner

What you’ll need:

• Easy-Off oven cleaner
• Trash bag
• Paper towels

Steps: Place your oven racks in a large trash bag either in your sink or on the ground outside. Spray the racks with Easy-Off oven cleaner from approximately 9 to 12 inches away. Then, close the trash bag and let the racks sit for at least 45 minutes. Use paper towels to wipe off the racks before rinsing them clean with warm water.

This is another effective method that cleans your oven racks in less than an hour with no scrubbing necessary. You can skip the trash bag entirely, spraying Easy-Off directly on the racks while still in the oven. However, using a trash bag helps prevent getting fumes near your skin. If you do choose to use this method without a trash bag, be sure to wear gloves and that your kitchen area is well-ventilated.

Also ensure that all surfaces outside of the oven are protected as oven cleaners can damage wood or stone surfaces. Lastly, make sure the oven is cool before spraying the racks.

User testimonial: “Easy-Off is a fan favorite, and it’s clear why — it takes little to no effort to get rid of grime after you’ve given the product time to work its magic.” – Ashley Poskin 

Method #3: Dishwasher Detergent

What you’ll need:

• ½ cup dishwasher detergent
• old/used towel
• Abrasive sponge

Steps: Place an old towel on the bottom of a bath tub and put the oven racks on top. Cover the racks with warm or hot water and add the dish detergent. Let the racks soak for up to 12 hours, or overnight, in the soapy water. Rinse the racks clean with an abrasive sponge and water.

While this method requires little to no scrubbing, it does require time. Also, according to thekitchn.com author Ashley Poskin, it’s probably best to use this method if your oven racks “aren’t super dirty,” as dishwasher detergent is not as effective for removing baked-on grease and grime without any scrubbing.

Method #4: Dryer sheets & Dishwasher Detergent 

What you’ll need:

• Dryer sheets
• ½ cup dishwasher detergent
• old/used towel

Steps: Place an old towel on the bottom of a bath tub. Then, line rows of dryer sheets on top of the towel and place the racks on top of them. Cover the racks with warm or hot water and dishwasher detergent. Let the racks soak for up to 12 hours, or overnight. Use the dryer sheets to wipe the racks clean, and rise them after with clean, soapy water.

This method is essentially the same method as cleaning your oven racks with only dishwasher detergent. However this method does not require a sponge as the softeners in dryer sheets are supposed to remove baked-on grime. While thekitchn.com author Ashley Poskin reported that while dryer sheets do help to clean oven racks and even make them look shiny, they did not easily remove really baked-on grime. For really “tough, stuck-on grime,” she ended up using a sponge afterall.

Self-Cleaning Ovens

While you may assume that self-cleaning ovens can also clean your oven racks, this is not always the case. It is generally recommended to remove your oven racks before starting the self-cleaning cycle. Due to the extreme heat generated (up to 1,000 degrees), oven racks can be discolored or damaged if left inside the oven during the self-cleaning cycle.

Be sure to check your self-cleaning oven’s manuel and specifications. If you have “Self-clean” or “no-scrub” oven racks, these are designed to withstand the heat and can be left in during the cleaning cycle.

Related: How to Clean Oven Racks with Chain Mail Scrubber 

How to Keep Your Oven Racks Clean

After you’ve cleaned your oven racks spotless, the easiest way to keep them clean is by not cooking directly on them. Use oven-safe pans or sheets when cooking and consider placing a liner on the bottom rack to catch drips or spills. Consider this Pot and Pan Organizer or this Expandable Pan Organizer from My Worthy Home to keep your kitchenware organized. You could even place your oven racks in this organizer to dry after trying one of the four cleaning methods. 

How Often Should I Clean My Oven Racks?

It is recommended to clean your oven racks every three months, or 4 to 5 times per year. However, if you properly maintain your oven racks by regularly wiping up spills and messes as they occur, and by using pans, sheets, or liners, once or twice a year is perfectly acceptable. It is important to consider how often you use your oven and whether or not you cook large meals when determining the frequency for cleaning your oven racks.

Conclusion:

Overall, the most effective and low-effort way to clean your oven racks—no scrubbing required—is the Bar Keepers Friend (Powder) method. This is as effective and timely as using Easy-Off oven cleaner, but Bar Keepers Friend has no fumes and does not require using an aerosol can. Bar Keepers Friend is affordable and can be used on countless other items in the kitchen or bathroom as a reliable cleaner. 
Cleaning your oven racks doesn’t have to be a beast of burden or dreaded deep-cleaning task anymore! Plus, you can sleep better at night knowing your kitchen is safer and you’re protecting your investment in your oven. Before, during, or after you’ve finished cleaning your oven racks, be sure to check out My Worthy Home’s selection of versatile kitchen tools and accessories.