These Are the Best Oven Cleaners of 2023, According to Experts

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The oven might be the workhorse of your kitchen—making everything from roasted vegetables to gooey cowboy cookies—but this all-star appliance needs a little love, too. (A dirty oven not only affects the taste of your food, but cooking in an oven that's covered in grease and food particles can create a smoke that can emit harmful toxins. No thank you!) The good news is that there are a bunch of excellent oven cleaners that cut through grease, sauce stains, and every in between. But, while the internet has no shortage of options to choose from, finding the best one for your needs takes time and research.

"Different types of ovens require different types of cleaners," explains Paulo Filho, owner of Celestial Cleaning Service in San Francisco. "For example, self-cleaning ovens should not be cleaned with heavy-duty cleaners, as they can damage the oven's self-cleaning coating."

In addition to considering your oven type, you'll also want to pay close attention to the ingredients used. According to Filho, ingredients like citrus oils, vinegar, baking soda, and plant-based surfactants are effective alternatives to harsher elements like sodium hydroxide and bleach.

"If you do use an oven cleaner, look for fume-free formulas," adds Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids of North Dallas. "Regular oven cleaners create heavy fumes that are toxic and just not nice to be around when you are cleaning."

Another important factor? Upkeep. Some oven cleaners are specifically designed for spot-cleaning, others will require a few hours to work through. And, of course, you'll always want consider how an oven cleaner plays into your overall budget. To help cut through the noise—and, yes, grease—we're sharing the best oven cleaners to add to your shopping list.

How to Use an Oven Cleaner

Regardless of which oven cleaner you buy, you'll want to make sure you know how to clean an oven properly. An oven cleaner's directions will always share best practices, it's a good idea to wear gloves and googles to protect yourself from harsh chemicals. (While you're at it, crack open a window for some extra ventilation.) From there, you'll want to remove any loose debris, pull out your oven racks, and cover any heat or light sources with aluminum foil. Spray the cleaner evenly over the interior surfaces of the oven and leave it to work for a few hours or even overnight depending on your brand's directions. Finally, wipe away the cleaner and residue with a damp cloth or sponge, rinsing thoroughly until all traces of the cleaner are removed. Once complete, your oven should be sparkling clean and ready to use again.

Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner Spray

If you want to regularly clean your oven—but can't leave your appliance idle for hours on end—Easy-Off's fume-free formula is here to help. "[It's] perfect for those who are sensitive to harsh chemicals," Filho shares. Turns out, Filho isn't the only fan of Easy-Off Fume-Free: This formula has over 5,000 rave reviews on Amazon, a 4.5/5 rating on the site, and a covetable Amazon's choice badge.

Compatible with self-cleaning ovens, this phosphorus-free formula will clean your oven in a snap. (While Easy-Off Fume Free takes a little over an hour for tougher stains, it can take on every day cleaning in 30 to 60 seconds. Wow.) But while you'll love this pick for its fast-acting formula, its refreshing lemon scent is also a nice touch.

Though the brand says you don't have to wear protective gloves when using this cleaner, it can irritate the eyes so you might want to cover up for good measure.

Heavy Duty Degreaser Oven & Stovetop Cleaner

"It's going to be difficult to find oven cleaners that are non-toxic or [don't use] strong chemicals," Varela says. "If you want to avoid them, you can try heavy-duty degreasers instead."

Made without parabens or phthalates, Method's plant-based formula is cruelty-free and built to bust through grease, oil, burnt-on food particles, and stubborn spills. Best of all, it's great pick for anyone working with a tighter budget. "It's is concentrate, plant-based, and it's quite affordable [at under $5 each]," he adds.

As you use this safe-yet-effective formula on stovetops, burner grates, or your microwave, a pleasant lemongrass aroma will add a little to your cleaning routine.

Magic Eraser

Want to touch up your oven in between deep, thorough cleanses? Reach for Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. The melamine foam has been an industry-favorite for over 20 years—cleaning everything from leather sneakers to dirty walls—but did you know that it can take care of burnt-on messes in your oven, too? Since this do-it-all scrubber is laced with Dawn, it can reportedly remove three times the mess per swipe.

Diversey Break-Up Professional Oven & Grill Cleaner

If you want your oven cleaner to work overtime, Filho loves Diversey's Break-Up Oven and Grill Cleaner because it's "tough on grime, but still safe to use."

But, surprisingly, Diversey's heavy-duty results is only one thing we love about this non-foaming formula. The self-scouring action goes to work immediately on both wam and cold surfaces, so you can tackle those food stains as soon as possible. It also clings on to vertical and horizontal surfaces—staying exactly where you spray—so you won't have to worry about your cleaner dripping down your oven's sides.

Oh, and did we mention this option works on ovens, grills, broilers, ventilating hoods, pots, pans, and fryers? Talk about a jack of all trades!

Heavy Duty Stove and Oven Cleaner and Degreaser

Cleaning your oven is one thing, but you'll also want to make sure it'll stay in tip-top shape for as long as possible. That's where Weiman's Heavy-Duty Oven Cleaner and Degreaser comes in. At first glance, this pick might seem like your run-of-the-mill cleaner: Compatible with everything from glass doors to ceramic racks, this fast-acting formula can reportedly work through grease and soil in 10 minutes or less.

But what makes this formula really shine is that it doubles as a protective layer to prevent your oven interior, racks, and grates from rusting, deteriorating or harboring bacteria.

Pure Baking Soda

Looking to get the best bang for your buck? You can't go wrong with a box of baking soda. "Baking soda is a great natural, non-toxic and eco-friendly alternative to commercial oven cleaners," Filho explains. For best results, create a thick paste by mixing baking soda and water. From there, you'll want to apply a coat on your oven and wait an hour or two. Complete the process by letting your oven air dry for a few hours.

If you have any baking soda to spare, mix it with vinegar to clean your dirty kitchen sink or add a teaspoon to your batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Heavy-Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner

As this pick from Zep proves, you don't to spend a small fortune on an excellent oven cleaner. Available for under $5, this foaming formula clings onto surfaces to eradicate carbon deposits, greasy wastes and baked-on foods so it can work like new. (Its non-abrasive nature will protect your oven from unnecessary scuff and scratches.) Zep says this heavy-duty greasers works best when the oven is at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, so you might want to use this cleaner while your appliance is turned off and cooling down from a recent cooking session.

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