If you’ve ever opened the oven only to be greeted by grease-coated racks that have seen one too many Sunday roasts, you’re not alone. Oven racks have a knack for collecting baked-on grease, burnt food and sticky residue that seems impossible to remove.

The same goes for air fryer baskets. They work hard, but cleaning them is another story. Their awkward shape makes them difficult to scrub, they rarely fit comfortably in the sink and, after what feels like hours of cleaning, they somehow still look dirty.

A couple of everyday household ingredients can make light work of stubborn grease and leave your oven racks looking almost as good as new.

Why oven racks become so greasy

Every roast chicken, bubbling lasagne, tray of biscuits and batch of crispy potatoes leaves behind tiny splatters of oil and food residue. Over time, these layers bake onto the metal, becoming harder and harder to remove.

Cleaning your oven racks every few months helps prevent this build-up, making each clean much quicker than tackling years’ worth of grease in one go.

Method 1: Clean oven racks with hot water and a dishwasher tablet

Dishwasher detergent is designed to cut through grease, making it one of the easiest ways to loosen stubborn grime without endless scrubbing.

You’ll need:

  • 1 dishwasher tablet (or ¼ to ½ cap of dishwasher detergent)
  • A bathtub, laundry basin or large plastic storage container
  • Hot water
  • Liquid dishwashing soap
  • A scrubbing brush
  • A sponge
  • Rubber gloves

How to do it

  1. Remove the oven racks or air fryer baskets and place them in your container or bathtub.
  2. Add the dishwasher tablet and cover everything with hot water.
  3. Leave to soak for at least one hour. For particularly greasy racks, you can leave them for up to eight hours.
  4. Drain the water and refill the container with fresh hot water, adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
  5. Wearing gloves, scrub away any remaining grease with a brush. Use a sponge to reach corners and tight spaces.
  6. Rinse thoroughly, dry completely and return the racks to the oven.

Top tip: Place an old towel underneath the racks if you’re using the bath to help protect the surface from scratches.

Method 2: Use bicarbonate of soda and hydrogen peroxide

When grease has really baked itself on, a simple cleaning paste can make all the difference. Bicarbonate of soda helps lift grime, while hydrogen peroxide helps break it down.

You’ll need:

  • 1 to 2 cups bicarbonate of soda
  • ½ to 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • A small mixing bowl
  • Rubber gloves
  • A large container or bathtub
  • A scrubbing brush
  • A sponge
  • Dishwashing liquid

How to do it

  1. Place the oven racks into a large container or bathtub.
  2. Mix equal parts bicarbonate of soda and hydrogen peroxide until you have a thick paste.
  3. Wearing gloves, spread the paste generously over the racks, making sure every greasy section is covered.
  4. Leave it to work for 30 minutes to an hour.
  5. Add hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
  6. Scrub away the loosened grease using a brush or sponge.
  7. Rinse well and dry thoroughly before putting the racks back into the oven.

A few extra tips for easier oven rack cleaning

  • Clean spills as soon as they’ve cooled to stop grease from baking on repeatedly.
  • Wipe your oven racks every few weeks, even if they don’t look particularly dirty.
  • Dry racks completely before replacing them to help prevent rust.
  • If you’re cleaning your air fryer basket, check the manufacturer’s instructions before using abrasive brushes or soaking for extended periods.

When it’s time for an oven cleaner

If you’ve tried both methods and the grease still refuses to budge, a commercial oven cleaner may be your best option. These products are specifically designed to dissolve years of baked-on grease, but they should always be used carefully.

Wear gloves, ensure the room is well ventilated and follow the instructions on the label closely. Once the grease has been removed, keeping up with regular cleaning will mean you won’t need to reach for harsh chemicals nearly as often.

With a little patience and a few pantry staples, cleaning oven racks doesn’t have to become an afternoon-long battle. And the next time you slide a tray of roast vegetables into the oven, you’ll be greeted by clean, grease-free racks instead of a reminder of dinners gone by.

ALSO SEE: Six things around your home you can clean with shampoo

Six things around your home you can clean with shampoo

Feature image: Unsplash