Cleaning Kitchen Ranges

Division Of Student Affairs; Western Michigan University

Washing A Range:

Let the range cool before washing it.

Wash the outside with warm, sudsy water and a soft cloth. Wash the control knobs with a soft, damp cloth. To clean between push button switches use a small stick wrapped with a piece of cotton or cloth. Stubborn stains can be removed by rubbing with baking soda and a soft cloth. Wipe metal trim with a damp cloth. Dry it to make it shine.

Cleaning An Electric Range:

Never put the heating element in water.

If food is spilled on a burner that is cold, wipe it off with a damp cloth. If the burner is hot the food will burn off. Some heating units tilt up and others pull out. Make sure the range is turned off and the unit is cool before you take it out. Tilt the units up and pull them out.

Wash the drip pans in warm detergent water. Spots can be scrubbed with mild cleansers. Rinse and dry the pans.

Clean the surface below the drip pans. If your range has drip trays, clean them. Replace the drip pans.

Wipe around the heating element. Many rims can be taken off. Scour gently to remove spots. Rinse and dry them. Replace the rim. If the rim cannot be removed, wash it with a cloth wrung out of warm water and detergent. Scour to remove stubborn spots.

Rinse and dry.

Cleaning A Gas Range:

Take the grates and burner bowls off. Wash them in warm, sudsy water. If they are hard to get clean, use a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon hot water.

Put the grates and burner bowls in this mixture. Soak them for 30 minutes, then wash them with a cloth or brush. Rinse and dry.

Take off the grates and drip pans, then lift out the burners. Holding the burner heads at the back, lift them up and out.

Soak the burners in hot detergent water. While they soak, clean the place below the burners. Take out the drip pans, if your range has them, and wash and dry them.

Clean the burners with a brush or cloth. The metal ring with holes may come off to be cleaned. If the holes are stopped up, clean them with a fine wire or hair pin.

Rinse the burners in hot water. Put them in a 300¡F oven to dry for fifteen minutes. Be sure to put the burners back the way they came out. If the pilot goes out, light it with a match.

Cleaning An Oven:

Thoroughly clean burned food off oven walls. To do this you can use a brand name prepared oven cleaner or mix a homemade oven cleaner.

If you choose to use a brand name cleaner read and follow the directions on the package.

If you choose to mix your own oven cleaner do this:

1. Pour 1/4 cup of household ammonia into a bowl.

2. Place the bowl in a cold oven.

3. Leave the oven door closed at least 4 hours or overnight.

4. Take the bowl out of the oven.

5. Take the racks out and wash them. Clean them with steel wool and scouring powder. Rinse, dry, and replace them.

6. Add the ammonia in the bowl to 1 quart of warm water. Dip a cloth into it and wash the inside walls and oven door. To remove stubborn stains use an abrasive cloth or steel wool.

7. Rinse and dry the inside and door of the oven.

Cleaning Supplies:

• Ammonia

• Baking Soda

• Brush

• Clean Cloths, Cotton

• Fine Wire or Hair Pin

• Scouring Powder