Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

Leave them out for mice to nibble the grease off.

Divine Angel said:

Leave them out for mice to nibble the grease off.

Hmmm – creative thinking but 1) we don’t have mice and 2) they wouldn’t get it all off!

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

Get one of those plastic rubbish bins. Empty the cleaning products shelves at Bunnings into your trolley. Tip all of them into plastic bin. Soak racks in bin concoction for 3 days.

nuke from space…

throw them out, problem solved.

Woodie said:

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

Get one of those plastic rubbish bins. Empty the cleaning products shelves at Bunnings into your trolley. Tip all of them into plastic bin. Soak racks in bin concoction for 3 days.

PS…. specifically get stuff from Bunnings that says “do not mix with other chemicals” on the label.

Worked a real treat for me.

Anything with this on the label should suffice.

I’d try some bowls of water in the over on a high heat for a few hours to let some steam work on the junk.

poikilotherm said:

throw them out, problem solved.

Yes and probably cheaper to buy new oven racks than to buy the oven rack cleaner.

Stumpy_seahorse said:

nuke from space…

It’s the only way to be sure….

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

Put them on an ant nest.

sibeen said:

I’d try some bowls of water in the over on a high heat for a few hours to let some steam work on the junk.

We’ve a twin oven with pyro cleaning but you can’t have the racks in there whilst cleaning. That said, your suggestion might be able to help. Many thanks.

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

Ian said:

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

We wash our shelves in the kitchen sink about every second time the oven is used. Once a year: strong home-made sodium hydroxide solution, racks on cardboard outside, apply with washing up cotton mop, wash off with hose. No scratches, very clean.

Michael V said:

We wash our shelves in the kitchen sink about every second time the oven is used. Once a year

You don’t use your oven much :)

It is true, Teflon can kill birds. Many a budgie has died from Teflon fumes.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Ian said:

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

Surely you have wondered before this.

Divine Angel said:

It is true, Teflon can kill birds. Many a budgie has died from Teflon fumes.

Sniffing the stuff could be harmful.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Ian said:

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

The Internet says:
It’s perfectly safe.
or:
It’s perfectly safe (apart from the carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless and you should watch out for it)
or:
It’s not safe, don’t do it.

HTH.

As for birds. I kknopw I’ve often raised a fledgeling that has fallen from the nest or a concussed galah by nursing it inside the house but I wouldn’t keep birds inside the house. Feather scales can cause seriouds lung problems plus all the other diseases and pests that birds have.

roughbarked said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Ian said:

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

Surely you have wondered before this.

Nope.

If only because we don’t use the self cleaner.

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Ian said:

“I never use the self-cleaning feature because I also have birds. For you non-bird people, the super high temperatures reached during the self-cleaning cycle react with the oven coating and create the same type of fumes that are given off by overheated Teflon-coated cookware. Both types of fumes can cause immediate bird death, even when the bird is not in the same room, so using Teflon-coated cookware and the self-cleaning feature on my stove are no longer options for me.”

some bloke

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

The Internet says:
It’s perfectly safe.
or:
It’s perfectly safe (apart from the carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless and you should watch out for it)
or:
It’s not safe, don’t do it.

HTH.

What about all the teflon coatings that end up going through digestive systems?

roughbarked said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

I wonder if that’s true.

If so (or even if it isn’t) I wonder what these fumes do to humans.

The Internet says:
It’s perfectly safe.
or:
It’s perfectly safe (apart from the carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless and you should watch out for it)
or:
It’s not safe, don’t do it.

HTH.

What about all the teflon coatings that end up going through digestive systems?

I suppose that’s included in option 3.

But we don’t use Teflon coated stuff either.

Well, all I can add is to say that we had the budgies inside when the pyro cleaning was done this morning. The door to the outside, as well as a kitchen window, were open and the budgies don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects.

Aaaand back to the original question. I was advised by a woman who used to run a restaurant. This definitely works and is easy.

I bought one of those under the bed bin things that are flat and large. Big enough for the racks to sit flat in. You also need a packet of Lectric washing soda ( sodium carbonate). Put about 1/3 pack of washing soda in your bin thing and bucket in hot water to about 2/3 full. You will be best to do this outside, because the thing is heavy when filled and you will have to upend it to empty it later.

Put your racks and side racky things in the mix and go and do something else for a couple of hours. The water will get all brown and icky as the goo comes off. Sometimes I tip the racks over a couple of times, make sure they are submersed.

Poke at the goo on the racks when the water has cooled to lukewarm or cold, and you will see that a lot has come off and a little remains but is soft and easily moved. Take the racks in to the kitchen sink one at a time and wash in soapy water, finishing off the bits that are still stuck with the steel wool. It will come off very easily.

Dry racks, put oven back together again. Tip out the icky water and hose off the concrete.

Obviousman said:

Well, all I can add is to say that we had the budgies inside when the pyro cleaning was done this morning. The door to the outside, as well as a kitchen window, were open and the budgies don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects.

That’s good.

Wonder about canaries.

buffy said:

Aaaand back to the original question. I was advised by a woman who used to run a restaurant. This definitely works and is easy.

I bought one of those under the bed bin things that are flat and large. Big enough for the racks to sit flat in. You also need a packet of Lectric washing soda ( sodium carbonate). Put about 1/3 pack of washing soda in your bin thing and bucket in hot water to about 2/3 full. You will be best to do this outside, because the thing is heavy when filled and you will have to upend it to empty it later.

Put your racks and side racky things in the mix and go and do something else for a couple of hours. The water will get all brown and icky as the goo comes off. Sometimes I tip the racks over a couple of times, make sure they are submersed.

Poke at the goo on the racks when the water has cooled to lukewarm or cold, and you will see that a lot has come off and a little remains but is soft and easily moved. Take the racks in to the kitchen sink one at a time and wash in soapy water, finishing off the bits that are still stuck with the steel wool. It will come off very easily.

Dry racks, put oven back together again. Tip out the icky water and hose off the concrete.

Thanks Buffy – I’ll try that next time. I might modify it by soaking first then putting into the dishwasher.

Obviousman said:

Well, all I can add is to say that we had the budgies inside when the pyro cleaning was done this morning. The door to the outside, as well as a kitchen window, were open and the budgies don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects.

Gives creedence to the words; adequate ventilation.

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

We clean the metal racks from the griller using a pumice-like product sold for cleaning BBQs. Sold by Woolworths, or used to be.

mollwollfumble said:

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

We clean the metal racks from the griller using a pumice-like product sold for cleaning BBQs. Sold by Woolworths, or used to be.

Ta,

mollwollfumble said:

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

We clean the metal racks from the griller using a pumice-like product sold for cleaning BBQs. Sold by Woolworths, or used to be.

Look up BBQ buddy grill stone cleaning block. Eg.

Obviousman said:

buffy said:

Aaaand back to the original question. I was advised by a woman who used to run a restaurant. This definitely works and is easy.

I bought one of those under the bed bin things that are flat and large. Big enough for the racks to sit flat in. You also need a packet of Lectric washing soda ( sodium carbonate). Put about 1/3 pack of washing soda in your bin thing and bucket in hot water to about 2/3 full. You will be best to do this outside, because the thing is heavy when filled and you will have to upend it to empty it later.

Put your racks and side racky things in the mix and go and do something else for a couple of hours. The water will get all brown and icky as the goo comes off. Sometimes I tip the racks over a couple of times, make sure they are submersed.

Poke at the goo on the racks when the water has cooled to lukewarm or cold, and you will see that a lot has come off and a little remains but is soft and easily moved. Take the racks in to the kitchen sink one at a time and wash in soapy water, finishing off the bits that are still stuck with the steel wool. It will come off very easily.

Dry racks, put oven back together again. Tip out the icky water and hose off the concrete.

Thanks Buffy – I’ll try that next time. I might modify it by soaking first then putting into the dishwasher.

Washing soda is how we clean burnt carbonised food out of saucepans. Works eventually, but even after three days I get fed up whth waiting and scrub it with steel wool.

Obviousman said:

Anyone have any good tips for cleaning the metal racks inside an oven? The dishwasher will clean minor grease but the only way I have found to properly clean them is with soapy water and steel wool (”Wire brush & Dettol!”, he screamed).

Anyone got any easier alternatives?

Piranha solution (a mix of 3 parts concentrated sulfuric acid to one part hydrogen peroxide) would do it (it’s one of the few solvents known that’ll dissolve elemental carbon), but it’s an extremely dangerous chemical. Even making it is dangerous.

Sodium hydroxide (usually sold in anhydrous form as drain cleaner) would do it, too, but be careful with it. You’d need to add water, and the reaction’s exothermic.

I pick up the phone and call the oven guy and he comes along and puts everything in his sticky mess trays in the back of his truck then cleans the oven then, rinses the racks then puts everything back and then I pay him about $80.. he also takes away his sticky mess trays and I am left with a clean oven and no mess to clear away. that’s more than worth it to me

Arts said:

I pick up the phone and call the oven guy and he comes along and puts everything in his sticky mess trays in the back of his truck then cleans the oven then, rinses the racks then puts everything back and then I pay him about $80.. he also takes away his sticky mess trays and I am left with a clean oven and no mess to clear away. that’s more than worth it to me

I think this one is, hands down, the winner.

Piranha solution is very dangerous, being both strongly acidic and a strong oxidizer… for those stubborn, unsightly stains.

sibeen said:

Arts said:

I pick up the phone and call the oven guy and he comes along and puts everything in his sticky mess trays in the back of his truck then cleans the oven then, rinses the racks then puts everything back and then I pay him about $80.. he also takes away his sticky mess trays and I am left with a clean oven and no mess to clear away. that’s more than worth it to me

I think this one is, hands down, the winner.

City slickers…I’d have to pay 60km travelling on top of the $80…

I’m guessing that people know about this one but just in case…

I heard on JJJ a lady talked about this and found it worked a treat.

If you are taking a dump and find that the flushing of the toilet won’t get rid of the evidence (e.g. “floaters”) then get a standard bucket, fill it with water, then as you flush the toilet pour it into the bowl.

Works a treat and I have never found a turd that could stand up to it.

Obviousman said:

I’m guessing that people know about this one but just in case…

I heard on JJJ a lady talked about this and found it worked a treat.

If you are taking a dump and find that the flushing of the toilet won’t get rid of the evidence (e.g. “floaters”) then get a standard bucket, fill it with water, then as you flush the toilet pour it into the bowl.

Works a treat and I have never found a turd that could stand up to it.

I have. Some defeat that method and a second or even third bucket is needed.

> Sodium hydroxide (usually sold in anhydrous form as drain cleaner) would do it, too, but be careful with it. You’d need to add water, and the reaction’s exothermic.

So get the full amount of water ready first, and add the sodium hydroxide (or draino) to it slowly to avoid sloshing. That’s a good idea. Next time I burn food in a saucepan I’ll try it.