The Best Oven Cleaners to Tackle Caked-On Gunk

Get rid of caked-on food and grease with the best oven cleaners.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

The self-cleaning function is a great piece of oven technology, but not all ovens can give themselves a good scrubbing. And while that process is long (about four hours) and stinky (seriously, your whole kitchen will reek), it requires less effort than manually cleaning the appliance. Without a self-cleaning oven, you can easily spend hours on your hands and knees trying to wash away years’ worth of caked-on gunk. And if you’re not using one of the best oven cleaners, you may have to scrape at the mess, a process that can damage your oven’s interior surface.

Right about now, you’re probably considering skipping oven cleaning altogether. But while it may be a more arduous process than, say, cleaning a microwave, stove top, or stainless steel appliance, it’s a necessary one if you want your oven to be clean and run safely and efficiently. If you have a self-cleaning oven, you don’t need oven cleaner spray—in fact, your owner’s manual may explicitly tell you to avoid it. But for everyone else, the best way to clean your oven without damaging it is by using a good oven cleaner. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up the best oven cleaners that will have your appliance looking brand new in no time.

Best overall oven cleaner: Easy-Off Fume-Free Oven Cleaner

Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven And Grill Cleaner Multi Ecommvia amazon.com

The name says it all: It’s super easy to use, and it’s the best oven cleaner for baked-on grease. All you have to do is spray it on, wait about 30 seconds, and wipe away the gunk. There are no harsh fumes, and you won’t have to scrape or scrub. If your oven requires a deep cleaning, spray it on and let it sit for an hour or two before wiping it away with a damp cloth or sponge. So, just how well does this product work? Verified Amazon reviewer Chatskie used Easy-Off to clean grease from an oven door and says, “It really helped me ‘easily’ clean my soiled oven from stubborn oil and dirt. It also doesn’t have a strong odor and [is] not harsh on your skin.”

Highlights:

  • Fast-acting
  • Requires little to no elbow grease
  • No harsh fumes

Shop Now


Best heavy-duty oven cleaner: Easy-Off Professional Heavy-Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner

Easy Off Professional Oven & Grill Cleanervia amazon.com

If your oven is coated in years’ worth of buildup, you’ll likely need a pro-level oven cleaner. One of the best oven cleaners for baked-on messes is Easy-Off’s heavy-duty oven and grill cleaner. With the brand’s strongest formula, this one is actually designed for commercial use. More than 9,000 users have given this product a five-star rating for its effectiveness, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before spraying it on: Several reviewers recommend making sure you have proper ventilation, as the fumes are quite strong. It’s also recommended that you wear gloves when wiping it away to avoid chemical burns. And keep in mind that it’s not for use in self-cleaning ovens. When you’re done, your oven’s good-as-new appearance may inspire you to clean your entire kitchen.

Highlights:

  • Deep cleans in just three minutes
  • Cleans tough, burned-on spills and grease
  • Good for commercial use

Shop Now


Best multipurpose oven cleaner: Stardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste

Stardrops The Pink Stuff The Miracle Ecommvia amazon.com

We tested this TikTok favorite and found that it lives up to the hype. Using a soft cloth, we applied this mild abrasive paste to dirty oven racks, and it immediately left them looking shiny and new—with little to no effort. Next, we applied the paste to an oven door, gently scrubbing with a soft cloth. While it did a great job at removing stains, it did require some elbow grease on our end, and we made several passes with a freshly rinsed cloth to clean it all up. Still, we love that this vegan product is made with 99 percent natural ingredients and can be used on just about any surface in your home, so go ahead and use it to clean your bathroom, refrigerator, and more. It does have a light, fruity scent, but you have to practically stick your nose in the jar to smell it. The verdict: Everyone should invest in a tub of The Pink Stuff.

Highlights:

  • Made with 99 percent natural ingredients
  • Vegan
  • Works on just about any surface

Shop Now


Best natural oven cleaner: Aspen Clean Natural Kitchen Cleaner

Natural Kitchen Cleanervia cleaningproducts.com

If you want to keep your oven sparkling without all the chemicals, use this nontoxic oven cleaner weekly or even daily to wipe up spills before they have a chance to harden. Just spray it onto surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. Not only is this one of the best oven cleaners, but it’s also biodegradable, derived from plants, and 100 percent natural. It contains organic bergamot and grapefruit essential oils as its core ingredients. Not only do these essential oils smell heavenly, but they’re also known for their cleaning and disinfecting capabilities.

Highlights:

  • Smells good
  • Safe for all kitchen appliances and countertops
  • Kid and pet safe

Shop Now


Best value oven cleaner: Zep Heavy-Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner

Zep Heavy Duty Oven And Grill Cleaner Ecommvia homedepot.com

Keeping your home clean doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. This is one of the best oven cleaners for your money. The foaming formula latches on to surfaces and dissolves grease in 10 minutes or less. It works best in a warm oven, so Zep recommends heating yours to 200 degrees, turning it off, and then spraying a light, even coating inside. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping it down with a wet cloth. Next up on your to-do list? Clean your dishwasher!

Highlights:

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use

Shop Now


Best for oven racks: Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

Carbona 2 In 1 Oven Rack And Grill Cleaner Ecommvia amazon.com

Cleaning oven racks by hand is time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. With this product, all you have to do is remove your oven racks and place them inside the included cleaning bag. Pour in the cleaner, making sure it coats the racks. Let them sit for at least eight hours, turning the bag once or twice to ensure the racks stay covered in the cleaning solution. When time is up, take the racks out of the bag, spray them down with water, and voilà! Reviewer Shelly C. tried these in hopes of saving time, and boy was she pleased. “I took the first rack out and rinsed it with hot water. I could not believe my eyes,” she writes. “There was zero—and I mean zero—gunk on the rack. It was shiny clean, literally sparkling as if it was brand new!” Talk about convenience! Find out how you can also use dishwasher tablets to clean your oven.

Highlights:

  • Cleans while you sleep
  • Can clean two racks at once

Shop Now


Best for stove tops: Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner

Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner Ecommvia amazon.com

If you ask us, a stove top spill can be worse than baked-on grease inside your oven. After all, it’s a mess everyone can see. Plus, the more you let residue build up, the harder it will be to remove. And if you have a glass stove top, you could be shortening its life. This kit comes with everything you’ll need to have your glass stove top looking shiny and new in no time—without scratching it. You’ll get one bottle of cleaner, one cleaning pad with a handgrip tool, and one scraper. To start, use the scraper to remove any burned-on food. Then squirt a quarter-sized amount of cleaner onto a cool stove top and rub with a dry cleaning pad or paper towel. Finally, buff the surface with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel for a good-as-new surface. Just note that this cleaner is not recommended for use on stainless steel appliances; instead, use a stainless steel cleaner.

Highlights:

Shop Now


Best gas range cleaner: Weiman Gas Range Cleaner and Degreaser

Weiman Gas Range Cleaner And Degreaser Ecommvia amazon.com

Cleaning a gas range is a bit more involved than cleaning a glass stove top, but this degreaser for stoves will make the process a cinch. All you have to do is spray it on, let it sit for about 30 minutes, and wipe it away with a clean, damp cloth. More than 2,500 users have given this cleaner a five-star rating, including JJ-J, who says, “The horrid 45-minute task of cleaning our stove top is now a five- to 10-minute process, and frankly, this looks better than that painful experience ever turned out. Love this stuff!” If you do a lot of cooking on your stove top, be sure you know how to put out a grease fire.

Highlights:

  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces, cookware, and bakeware
  • Nonabrasive

Shop Now


Best DIY oven cleaner: Baking soda and vinegar

Baking Soda And Vinegar Ecommvia amazon.com

Believe it or not, one of the best oven cleaners comes from ingredients you probably have in your pantry. Creating a homemade oven cleaner is an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to get your oven and stove top in tip-top shape. You’ll need baking soda and vinegar, plus a clean microfiber cloth or dish towel.

Pour some vinegar onto the bottom of your cool oven, and use your towel to spread it around. Next, cover the bottom with a generous layer of baking soda. Dampen your dish towel with water, and use it to cover the baking soda as best you can. You may need two or three damp towels to cover the entire oven base or door. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, and then use the towels to wipe the interior clean. Do not use an abrasive sponge, as it can scratch the surfaces.

To clean the walls of your oven, use baking soda and warm water to create a paste, which you can paint on. Let it sit, and then wipe it away using a damp towel or cloth. Check out these other homemade cleaners that will get your house sparkling.

Highlights:

  • Affordable
  • All natural

Shop the Baking Soda


Best oven liners: FitFabHome Eco-Friendly Nonstick Oven Liners

Fitfabhome Eco Friendly Nonstick Oven Liners via amazon.com

No, this technically isn’t an oven cleaner. But once you’ve taken the time, energy, and money to really clean your oven, you’ll undoubtedly want to keep it that way. Letting food collect on the bottom is one oven mistake you won’t make again. These nonstick oven liners are our favorite trick when it comes to keeping the bottom of an oven looking brand new. All you have to do is place one on the floor of your oven. If you end up with some spills, just take it out, wash it off, and put it back once it’s dry. You’ll probably need to replace your liner every few months. This box comes with three nonstick liners, which means it can take you through most of the year.

Highlights:

  • Washable
  • Long-lasting
  • Keeps the bottom of your oven clean and protected

Shop Now

Source:

  • GE: “Use of Commercial Oven Cleaner in Self-Cleaning Ovens”

Marisa Hillman
Marisa is a personal finance, travel and retail expert dedicated to helping readers find solutions that will help them live their best lives. She'll also help you figure out where to book your next family vacation, the art of meal planning and how to do life on a budget. She lives on the East Coast with her husband, four young children and a yellow lab that wasn't cut out for life as a police officer.