How to Clean a Natural Gas Oven (the Green Way)

No one likes cleaning the oven.

Even more than that, no one likes inhaling oven cleaner fumes while doing it. However, if your oven smells funny every time you turn it on and you can’t remember the last time it was cleaned, it might be time.

Keeping gas appliances like your oven clean isn’t just a matter of good housekeeping, it’s a matter of home safety. Leftover food and grease in your oven can pose a fire risk. And to all the energy savers out there, food caked onto your oven can increase cooking times, costing you money in the long run.

So, how do you clean a greasy oven without harsh chemicals?

SCANA Energy has an easy and affordable solution using two common household items.

Here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. First, some basic gas safety. Make sure the oven is turned off and cooled down.

2. Remove oven racks.

3. Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of water until it becomes a thick paste.

4. Spread the non-toxic oven cleaner mixture over the entire oven interior.

5. Let the mixture sit for 12 hours.

6. Spray the interior of the oven with vinegar.

7. Wipe the oven clean.

Voilà! Your oven is ready for your next culinary masterpiece (or frozen pizza – we won’t judge).

Benefits of a clean oven

There are many benefits to having a clean oven that go beyond a better tasting meal. For example, did you know a dirty oven is a fire hazard? That’s right. All the grease buildup and burnt pieces of leftover food can lead to a fire. Here are a few other benefits you might not know about:

Lower energy bill: A clean oven works more efficiently than a dirty one. When your oven is clean, heat can be distributed more evenly, reducing the amount of time spent cooking and saving your money on your gas bill. For example, with a clean oven door, you won’t have to open your oven and let out heat to see how your food is cooking. Opening the oven frequently when cooking means it has to partially reheat each time, using more energy and costing you more money.
Improved health: Cooking in a dirty oven can expose you to harmful bacteria. Want to avoid longer cleaning times? Clean your oven after each use to avoid dirt and grime build up and avoid contaminating your food
Better tasting food: When your oven has food build up covering the racks and corners, it’s harder for heat to be distributed properly to warm your food. And, let’s face it—food cooked in a clean oven just tastes better.

You can depend on SCANA Energy

We can’t promise we’ll help clean your oven, but we can help you save on your natural gas bill. Our customer service team can help you find the right rate for your needs, move or start service and much more. Contact us here to get started.