Cleaning Oven Racks

Everyone knows how important it is to periodically clean their oven. However, the one part of the oven that people typically overlook is the oven rack. Just like the rest of your oven, if you do not clean the racks, your next birthday cake could end up tasting like last night's enchiladas. Use this method the next time you need to clean your oven racks to get them sparkling clean.

1. Remove racks. The very first thing that you should do is remove the oven racks from the oven. Be careful as you do this, that you do not let any of the baked-on bits of food fall onto the floor and that you do not let the greasy racks touch the walls or floor. If you do, you are going to have another cleanup job.
2. Apply cleanser. Place the oven racks outside on some unfolded newspapers. The best places to clean the racks would be either on the patio or driveway. Spray the racks with the same type of cleanser that you use to clean the oven. Allow it to sit there for the time specified by the manufacturer's instructions, and then rinse off the racks using your water hose.
3. Place in bag. If there is still any caked-on stuff on your oven racks, grab a large plastic bag. This bag needs to be large enough that you can place your oven racks inside it. The best type of bag to use is either a large trash bag or a large garden bag that you put leaves into.
4. Add ammonia. After you have placed the racks into the bag, pour 1/2 cup of ammonia into the bag.
5. Let it soak. Tie the bag closed tightly so that nothing can spill out. Set it aside on a shelf in your garage. Make sure it is out of reach of your children or any animals that you may have. Leave it there overnight.
6. Remove racks. The next day, remove the bag with your racks outside. Remove the racks from the plastic bag and properly dispose of it. When you are removing the rack from the bag, make sure you are wearing some type of gloves. This is not so much because the ammonia is going to hurt you, but more along the lines that what is left in the bag is going to be really nasty.
7. Scrub. Take a look at your racks and, if there is still anything left, use a soft sponge or green scrubby and scrub the remaining gunk off the racks. Repeat this as necessary until everything is gone.
8. Dry and replace. Finally, rinse the cleanser and ammonia from the racks and set aside so that they can dry. Place them somewhere that they won't get knocked over or become dirty or use a soft clean white towel and dry them. Once they are dry, put them back into the oven.

Congratulations, you have now cleaned your oven racks! At a minimum, this procedure should take place at least once a month to prevent serious buildup. However, it can be done as often as needed to ensure that your oven racks are truly clean. Remember, though, that care should be taken when working with ammonia, as it is poisonous and can hurt those who are not careful—always keep chemicals such as this away from young children and animals.