The Best Oven Cleaners of 2023

Bubbled-over, spilled-on oven messes can be difficult to clean without a product that dissolves the gunk. Oven cleaners can make the job easier.

By Glenda Taylor | Updated Jun 22, 2023 12:33 PM

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The Best Oven Cleaners for Baked-On Messes

Photo: istockphoto.com

To keep a kitchen running smoothly, cleaning kitchen appliances like ovens is a vital chore. Trying to scrape away rock-hard, baked-on messes can scratch and damage the oven’s interior surface, so the best way to clean them is to apply an oven cleaner, wait until the mess dissolves, and then simply wipe it away.

The best oven cleaner works quickly and doesn’t leave smelly or hazy residue behind. This list of top choices considers common uses for oven cleaners and reviews the formulas so you can choose the one that is right for you.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner 
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Zep Heavy-Duty Foaming Oven and Grill Cleaner 
  3. BEST PASTE: Astonish Oven & Cookware Cleaner Paste
  4. BEST FUME-FREE: Easy-Off Fume-Free Oven Cleaner
  5. BEST RACK CLEANER: Carbona 2-In-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner
  6. BEST FOR LIGHT MESS: Kona Safe/Clean Oven & Grill Cleaner Spray
  7. BEST FOR GREASE: Diversey Break-Up Professional Oven and Grill Cleaner
  8. BEST NATURAL: Method Heavy-Duty Degreaser 
The Best Oven Cleaners for Baked-On Messes

Photo: istockphoto.com

Before You Buy an Oven Cleaner

Oven cleaners are viable options for removing stuck-on food grime and residue from frequent usage. But, some options may be better than others depending on an individual user’s preferences. For example, some good oven cleaners on the market are made with harsh chemicals or come in application types that may not be ideal for certain ovens.

When selecting the ideal oven cleaner, be sure to always consider the ingredients used in the formula and steer clear of harsh chemicals. Plus, ensure that your oven is compatible with the type of oven cleaner you are using, whether it is a paste, spray, or foam.

How We Chose the Best Oven Cleaners

We researched the most sought-after oven cleaners in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are easy to use, take little time to work, can be used on multiple surfaces, and have additional special features included.

Based on the above list, the best oven cleaners are chemical or natural sprays and foams that take little time to clean and can usually be used on oven racks, doors, and walls as well as cookware, broilers, and other kitchen appliances. Though not as popular, pastes and wipes are also an option as they are fast and efficient when it comes to spills and grease.

No matter the type, most oven cleaners work on contact or take up to 40 minutes to break down grease and baked-on food residue. The best oven cleaners also emit no toxic fumes or leave a light lemon or lemongrass scent after use. For the eco-conscious consumer, some oven cleaners are even vegan and cruelty-free.

Our Top Picks

These effective cleaners are tough enough to remove hardened, greasy, and sticky spots quickly without damaging your oven.

Best Overall

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com

From a known name in oven-cleaning products comes one of the best oven cleaners on the market. Easy-Off heavy-duty oven cleaner has been a top seller for decades for good reason. This heavy-duty cleaner effectively cuts through even hardened spills in minutes to help an oven’s doors, racks, and interior walls look new and fresh again.

Easy-Off sprays on as a liquid that quickly develops into a foam coating to dissolve gunk and grease. When sprayed on a mess in a warm oven, Easy-Off can dissolve the mess in as little as 5 minutes—cold oven application takes as little as 20 minutes. Or, if you need to spot clean, it takes just 30 seconds. Once the mess dissolves, simply wipe the surface with a clean, damp washcloth. Buyers receive a three-pack of cans.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Foam
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: 5- to 20-minute deep clean; 30 seconds for spot cleaning

Pros

  • Comes with 3 cans for multiple applications or heavy-duty cleaning
  • Suitable for heavy-duty use or spot cleaning
  • Works on oven doors, racks, and interior walls

Cons

  • Some users report difficulty using the spray nozzles

Get the Easy-Off heavy-duty oven cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s (single can), The Home Depot (single can), or Target (single can).

Best Bang For The Buck

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Zep Heavy-Duty Foaming Oven and Grill Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com

Finding a good oven cleaner shouldn’t have to break the bank. The two-pack of the Zep heavy-duty oven and grill cleaner comes at an affordable price point and can be used on a variety of oven surfaces, including your oven door, walls, and rack while also being safe to use on your grill and cookware. This restaurant-grade foaming cleaner can be applied to stainless steel, porcelain, or ceramics for 10 minutes (or until dissolved) and then wiped with a damp cloth, paper towel, or sponge. For added deep cleaning, apply it to a warm (not hot!) oven.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Foam
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: 10 minutes

Pros

  • Easy to use; apply and then wipe with a damp cloth, paper towel, or sponge
  • Restaurant-grade formula; suitable for professional or at-home use
  • Works on oven surfaces, grills, and cookware for routine or deep cleaning

Cons

  • May have harsh fumes; may not be suitable for some users’ preferences

Get the Zep oven and grill cleaner at Amazon (2-pack), Lowe’s (12-pack), Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Menards.

Best Paste

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Astonish Oven & Cookware Cleaner Paste
Photo: amazon.com

Tackling tough, baked-on messes is easy—and less smelly—with Astonish oven and cookware cleaner, which comes in a handy paste form. Astonish packs a powerful punch when dealing with baked-on and caked-on messes. Users apply the paste with a damp nylon scouring pad, rub it into the spot or stain, and then wipe away the excess with a clean, damp rag.

Heavy burned-on grease might require a bit of light scrubbing, but it can be well worth the extra effort to use an animal cruelty-free product that’s easy on the hands and won’t create fumes. Plus, it is easier to apply a paste only where it’s needed, leaving no overspray to wipe away. Buyers will receive two 150-gram containers of Astonish paste with their order.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Paste
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: Works immediately

Pros

  • Cruelty-free formula is ideal for homes with children and pets
  • Only requires light scrubbing for effective usage
  • Suitable for heavy-duty use and baked-on food/messes

Cons

  • Not recommended for use on nonstick coated pans or surfaces

Get the Astonish oven cleaner at Amazon or Newegg (3-pack).

Best Fume-Free

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Easy-Off Fume-Free Oven Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com

Easy-Off has created a powerful aerosol oven cleaner that doesn’t produce fumes. Like its heavy-duty oven-cleaning big brother, Easy-Off fume-free oven cleaner tackles tough burned-on spots with ease. It takes slightly longer to work—2 hours in a cold oven as opposed to 20 minutes for the heavy-duty version—but the entire family will breathe a little easier while it’s working.

This fume-free oven cleaner won’t irritate skin either, so there’s no need to don those elbow-length rubber gloves before cleaning the oven. Just spray it on, close the oven, and let it sit for 2 hours before wiping away residue with a clean, damp rag.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Spray
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: 30 seconds for spot cleaning, 2 hours for deep cleaning

Pros

  • Requires no scrubbing for proper usage
  • Emits little to no fumes when used; ideal for homes with poor ventilation
  • Leaves a fresh lemon scent behind after usage

Cons

  • Takes a while to work; may require multiple cleanings

Get the Easy-Off fume-free oven cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target.

Best Rack Cleaner

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Carbona 2-In-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com

Cleaning oven racks can present a challenge because most oven cleaners require users to remove the cooking racks from the oven before applying the cleaner to the oven’s interior. That’s where the Carbona two-in-one oven and grill cleaner comes in handy. It only involves placing one or two oven racks into the included large cleaning bag, pouring in the liquid Carbona cleaner, and then zipping the bag closed and letting the cleaner go to work.

Turn the bag over once or twice to evenly disperse the cleaning solution, and let the bag sit for 8 hours. When time’s up, all that’s left is to remove the racks and rinse off residual cleaner. Each 16.8-ounce bottle comes with disposable gloves and a bag that holds two racks.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Liquid
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: 8 hours

Pros

  • Comes with cleaning solution, bags, and disposable gloves
  • Can be used on racks and grills; stainless steel or enamel
  • No scrubbing required for streak-free cleaning

Cons

  • Takes a long time to fully clean racks
  • Only 1 to 2 racks fit within the included bags
  • May require turning over 1 to 2 times while soaking

Get the Carbona oven cleaner at Amazon or Ace Hardware.

Best for Light Mess

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Kona Safe/Clean Oven & Grill Cleaner Spray
Photo: amazon.com

Grills and ovens need routine cleanings to take off any food residue or burnt bits. For light cleaning in an oven or grill, trust the biodegradable yet effective Kona Safe/Clean oven and grill cleaner spray. This eco-friendly, water-based, and food-safe degreaser is tough on grime and residue while being gentle on cooking racks and oven walls.

Coming in a 23-ounce container, there is enough product for multiple cleaning tasks and regular light cleanings. Not only does it work for grills and ovens, it can also be used for stainless steel, grill wheels, cookers, smokers, and microwaves. Simply remove any solid grime or materials when the cooking elements and racks are cool, apply the cleaner, wait for up to 10 minutes, and wipe off to reveal a sparkling shine.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Spray
  • Natural vs. chemical: Natural
  • Application time: 1 minute for general cleaning, 10 minutes for deep cleaning

Pros

  • Water-based, biodegradable, and eco-friendly formula for the eco-conscious household
  • Versatile food-safe degreaser; can be applied to grills, ovens, stainless steel, grill wheels, cookers and smokers, and microwaves
  • Easy to apply; simply spray on, leave, then wipe off

Cons

  • Requires heavy-duty scrubbing for removing very stuck-on grime

Get the Kona oven cleaner at Amazon.

Best for Grease

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Diversey Break-Up Professional Oven and Grill Cleaner
Photo: amazon.com

Baked-on grease doesn’t stand much of a chance against the Diversey Breakup oven and grill cleaner. This powerful oven cleaner goes to work immediately to start dissolving grime and the toughest greasy messes on contact. Bubbled-over cheese and casserole ingredients have met their match with this product that breaks down oily spills and drippy messes.

It’s possible to cut oven cleaning time in half with this powerful Diversey product. Simply spray on grease stains and wait a few minutes before wiping away—the spray can work when held at any angle so you can reach all those out-of-the-way spots at the back of the oven. Diversey is also well suited for cleaning greasy messes from pots and fryers.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Spray
  • Natural vs. chemical: Chemical
  • Application time: 30 minutes to 4 hours

Pros

  • Begins cleaning on contact; deep clean takes as little as 30 minutes
  • Suitable for tough baked-on grease and grime
  • Spray nozzle works at an angle for ease of use

Cons

  • Not recommended for use on cast iron, aluminum, painted, or hot surfaces

Get the Diversey oven and grill cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s (6-pack), or The Home Depot.

Best Natural

The Best Oven Cleaner Option: Method Heavy-Duty Degreaser
Photo: amazon.com

Oven cleaners don’t have to stink, and disagreeable fumes are a thing of the past with Method degreaser. The cleaner makes quick work of getting rid of greasy oven spills while emitting the refreshing aroma of lemongrass. Burned-on messes and bubbled-over spills dissolve quickly with this fresh-smelling cleaner that can also be used in other areas of the kitchen.

The Method cleaner contains nontoxic, plant-based ingredients that rival chemicals for quickly dissolving and removing tough oven messes. The product comes in a handy spray for directing on small spills or for coating the entire oven interior when a deep clean is necessary. Using Method spray regularly can help keep drips and spills from building up and glazing.

Product Specs 

  • Type: Spray
  • Natural vs. chemical: Natural
  • Application time: Not specified

Pros

  • Nontoxic, plant-based formula is ideal for chemical-conscious households
  • Adjustable spray nozzle is easy to use for quick cleaning
  • Can be used on multiple surfaces for versatility
  • Leaves a light lemongrass scent behind after use

Cons

  • May not be suitable for very tough grease stains or spills

Get the Method oven cleaner at Amazon, Target, or Menards.

Or, DIY Your Own Oven Cleaner 

Buying an oven cleaner is a viable option for keeping an oven sparkling clean. But, for quick cleanings, a DIY oven cleaner can be made with some things that may be just sitting around the house. Here is our recipe for the perfect (and effective) homemade oven cleaner and how to use it:

  1. Gather a glass bowl, baking soda, water, essential oils (optional), a mixing spoon, a spray bottle, a spatula, some newspaper, a microfiber cloth and sponge, and a dish rag.
  2. Combine 2 cups of baking soda and ¾ cup of water in the mixing bowl. For an added fresh scent, add 8 to 16 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mix with the spoon until the baking soda mixture becomes a gritty paste.
  3. Ensure the oven is off and completely cool and wipe the interior with the dish rag to loosen up any grime and residue. Remove the oven racks and place to the side.
  4. Scrape any stuck-on grime with the metal spatula from all the oven surfaces and remove any crumbs from the chamber.
  5. Apply the DIY oven cleaner (avoiding the heating elements) to all the oven surfaces, including the back wall. Leave for 6 to 8 hours.
  6. Open the oven door and apply any remaining oven cleaner over the surface of the window. Leave for 15 minutes. Tip: Use the newspaper to protect your kitchen floors by laying them down below the open oven door.
  7. Wipe down the window with a damp cloth or rinse with water. Use a damp sponge to wipe the cleaner off the entire interior. Repeat as necessary.
  8. Rinse and clean the oven racks and place back inside the chamber.

Jump to Our Top Picks



Our Verdict

When looking for the best oven cleaners on the market, we looked for options that were effective and safe to use in homes near wildlife or that have children and pets running around. We selected options for our list of top picks that were made with natural or fume-free formulas.

However, there are some options that we came across in our research that did not satisfy our criteria for safety and effectiveness. One of these products was the Oven Brite Oven Cleaner, which uses potassium hydroxide as a key ingredient. This ingredient is an effective cleaner, but is an inorganic compound and industrial-strength cleaner that may leave some harsh fumes and chemical residue behind.

What to Consider When Choosing an Oven Cleaner

Ovens get messy; that’s just a fact of life, and cleaning an oven isn’t among the most appealing of household chores. Rather than making a DIY oven cleaner, the right product can make the task quicker and less messy. When selecting an oven cleaner, take the time to consider a few factors, such as the type (and amount) of burned-on mess, how you must apply the product, and whether you prefer natural ingredients over harsh chemicals.

Whichever is the case, for the best results, don’t let oven messes build up until there’s a month’s worth of burned-on sugar, unsightly carbon deposits, and hardened spills on the oven’s bottom. The best way to clean an oven is to do it regularly to keep the gunk from accumulating.

Intended Use

The more challenging the spills, the more cleaning power is needed. Mild oven cleaners are well suited for cleaning the entire oven to remove minimal spills and debris. For built-up messes that have been in the oven for weeks, meaning they’ve glazed over and hardened, heftier cleaners are often necessary. They may also require multiple applications of a cleaner and even some scrubbing.

When selecting an oven cleaner, you might not need, nor want, the most potent cleaner, which usually goes hand in hand with an overpowering chemical smell. In general, use the mildest cleaner that will still get rid of carbon deposits and burned-on spills.

Application and Texture 

Different types of messes call for various ways to clean an oven. Cleaners come in a handful of types, and some are better suited than others to specific oven-cleaning tasks. Within the following types, shoppers will find products designed for use in either a heated oven or a cold oven. Some are suitable for either temperature option, with the cold option requiring more time to work. Most products also are ideal for cleaning stove burners as well as oven interiors.

  • Liquid concentrate: For frequent oven cleaning, a concentrated liquid makes sense. This type of product requires dilution with water before applying by sponge or spray to the oven surface. The upside to a concentrated cleaner is that the concentration can be strengthened if the burned-on messes are especially difficult to remove. They’re typically also budget-friendly and come in bulk-size containers for enough product to clean commercial cook spaces.
  • Spray: Just spray and wait for the product to work before wiping away with a sponge or soft, damp cloth. Many oven cleaners come in spray form, each requiring different wait times, depending on strength. With nothing to mix, spray cleaners are easy to use and versatile.
  • Foam: Foam oven cleaners also go on as sprays, but rather than liquid running down the oven walls, the spray quickly expands into a foam that sticks, making it more efficient for cleaning vertical oven walls. Like with liquid sprays, the user simply wipes away the foam and, along with it, the dissolved mess. Foam also works well for cleaning oven window glass; it clings to the glass while softening and dissolving carbon stains so they wipe away easily.
  • Paste: For cleaning small areas, such as a small burned-on spill in an otherwise clean oven, paste cleaners shine. Apply the paste directly to the spill. When the mess dissolves, it’s simple to just wipe it away.
  • Selfclean: It would be remiss not to mention one of the handiest types of oven-cleaning methods around: the self-cleaning ovens. To use this function, cooks lock the oven door and then select the self-cleaning function. Rather than removing oven racks, which is necessary when using a chemical cleaner, the racks remain in place during the self-cleaning process. The oven heats to a scorching 900 degrees or so, which burns off stuck-on messes without the use of cleaners. Self-cleaning ovens typically take 2 to 4 hours to complete this cycle, and the oven remains locked until the process is complete.

Natural vs. Chemical Ingredients

Until the past decade or so, nearly all commercial oven cleaners contained caustic or harsh chemicals that filled the kitchen with fumes disagreeable enough to run most family members out of the house. Chemical cleaners still are big sellers because they’re effective at removing stubborn burned-on messes, but a handful of oven cleaners containing less-caustic, natural ingredients are also available.

These eco-friendly cleaners might contain baking soda, vinegar, or lemon to help remove oven messes. Natural ingredients typically are not as potent as chemicals, but if the messes are minimal, they’re a practical and eco-friendly option. Plus, oven cleaners with natural ingredients are less smelly than those with chemicals.

Application Time

How long it takes an oven cleaner to dissolve heat-hardened messes depends on the thickness of the mess, the strength of the product, and whether the oven is heated. Some oven cleaners will dissolve light messes in as little as 15 minutes, and others work best if applied and then left on overnight. It doesn’t hurt to have a couple of different types of oven cleaner products on hand to suit cleaning and baking schedules.

FAQs

When oven spills are neglected, they can smoke and put off odors that affect the taste of baked goods, and they can trigger oven fires. Keeping an oven clean doesn’t have to be a disagreeable task. Those who are new to oven cleaning will likely have a few questions about choosing the best oven cleaner for their needs.

Q. Will an oven cleaner damage a self-cleaning oven?

It very well could. Using a cleaner on self-cleaning ovens can cause etching of the oven’s interior liner and could interfere with the oven’s self-cleaning process.

Q. Should I use the oven cleaner on a hot oven?

Some cleaners are hot-oven–safe, and others are not, so read the directions carefully.

Q. How do I get baked-on grease off my oven?

Use a cleaner specifically made for dissolving greasy spills, such as our “Best Natural” pick in this lineup, Method Heavy-Duty Degreaser.

Q. What is the fastest way to clean the bottom of the oven?

Before applying the oven cleaner, place a pot of boiling water on the oven’s lowest rack and close the door for 15 minutes. The hot steam will help loosen the baked-on spills so the oven cleaner works quickly and effectively. Apply the cleaner and wait the recommended amount of time for it to clean effectively, then wear gloves to scrub or wipe the cleaner, grime, and grease with a cloth or sponge.

Why Trust Bob Vila 

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.