Steam Cleaning Your Oven for a Grease-Free Finish

Step 4: Add a Bowl of Water

Item	Recommendation
Bowl	Oven-proof, large bowl
Water	About 2 cups of water
Water type	Filtered or distilled (reduces water spots and mineral deposits)

“Use an oven-proof, large bowl,” Mock says. “Fill it with cold water.”

Heating time: Heat the water in the oven for up to one hour (checking to make sure the water has not fully evaporated before this time).

Pro tip: Picking a bowl that is too small can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, and the steam cleaning will not fully loosen the grime.

Step 5: Let Your Oven Cool

Action	Why
Turn off the oven	Allows steam to circulate
Leave the door closed	Prevents steam from escaping; allows time for the bowl to cool down

“After an hour, turn off the oven and leave the door closed so that the steam has time to circulate and the bowl of hot water has cooled down,” Mock says.

Allow: Approximately 1 hour for cooling.

Step 6: Wipe Down the Inside of the Oven Again

Action	Tool
Wipe away grime	Microfiber cloth

“Once safe, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away grime in the oven,” Mock says.

For Stubborn, Stuck-On Grime

Step	Action
1	Make a paste with baking soda and water
2	Apply to stubborn spots
3	Leave for 30 minutes or more to loosen further
4	Wipe clean with a damp cloth

How Often Should You Steam Clean Your Oven?

Frequency	Recommendation
After spills	Steam clean after any use that results in food spills or spatters
Monthly	Add spot-cleaning your oven to your kitchen cleaning checklist
Deep clean	At least four times a year

Important: “It’s important to know that steam cleaning your oven should not be a replacement for a deep clean,” Mock says.

How Long Does It Take to Steam Clean an Oven?

Phase	Time
Active prep and cleaning time	Less than 15 minutes
Heating and steaming	Approximately 1 hour
Cooling down	Approximately 1 hour
Total time	About 2 hours (most of it hands-off)