Napisan, more than any cleaning detergent, is one of the best bets for degreasing oven racks in no time.
For standard cleaning, use a soapy sponge and hot water to wipe the racks. For stubborn messes, soak oven racks in hot water, dish soap, and a couple scoops of baking soda. Let the racks soak in this mixture for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing clean with a soft sponge.
For discolored oven racks, place racks in the sink, spritz them with white vinegar and sprinkle baking soda all over them. Watch the mixture fizz, and let it sit for several minutes until the grease dissolves. Then scrub the racks with a bristle brush, and wipe clean with a sponge soaked in dish soap and warm water.
“An easy way to clean grill grates or oven racks is to line your bathtub with used dryer sheets, set the racks on top and fill the tub with warm water. Let sit overnight and then wipe clean. The power of the antistatic in dryer sheets helps to separate the food from the grates.”
Hensley notes that commercial oven cleaners may be used for the racks, but some cleaners cause discoloration. "Be sure to do a small test area to check the results, and rinse the racks thoroughly after cleaning," she says.
Arrange dryer sheets on top of the racks, making sure they are fully wet. Squeeze in some dishwashing liquid. Let oven racks soak from one hour to overnight. Use the dryer sheets to wipe the racks free of dirt and grease (it should wipe off easily without a lot of scrubbing).
Clean the oven with baking soda and water.
Another natural method to try is a simple paste of three-parts baking soda to one-part warm water. Apply the paste with a paintbrush or pastry brush, and let the mixture sit on the racks to work its magic for about 20 minutes.
To clean oven trays with Napisan, submerge your oven racks or trays in a large tub of hot water, add a full cap of Napisan and let them soak for 1-2 hours. Once soaked, clean your oven racks or trays with a soft cloth or sponge. Dry thoroughly, ensuring all excess dirt is removed.
Place an old towel in the bottom of the bath, then put the wrapped racks on top. Add a couple of dishwasher tablets, and cover the racks with hot water. Then (you guessed it), leave to soak overnight.
Most modern dishwashers tend to come with dishwasher safe racks which make it very tricky to fit an oven rack inside. However, if there is room in your dishwasher then there's no reason why you can't give it a go.
WD-40 is a very poor, actually dangerous, choice for oven cleaning. WD-40 has highly flammable components and must be used in places with excellent ventilation. Even the low volatility compounds are toxic and flammable and should not be used on surfaces used for cooking or food preparation.
Wrap the racks in aluminum foil, not forgetting to put your towel down, and place them in the bath. Cover the racks with hot water and throw in a couple of dishwasher tablets. Leave to soak over night before unwrapping the racks and wiping down with a soft cloth.
Another option to remove those really stubborn grease stains on your kitchen appliances, is to use one part sugar soap to ten parts warm water to keep the grease and grime at bay.
“I like to mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda and water to make a paste—I also add a few drops of Dawn dish soap,” says San Angelo. “The baking soda is abrasive and Dawn cuts grease. Spread it on the glass and let sit for 15 minutes. Then take a non-abrasive sponge and scrub.
Listed below are tips for making your oven racks slide in and out easily. To help your Flat Rack slide more easily: Put a small amount of vegetable oil on a soft cloth or paper towel. Rub the vegetable oil onto the left and right edge of the racks, ensuring they are lightly coated.
A cup of laundry detergent – you can use the powdered kind or the liquid kind. A container of some type large enough to hold a few cups of water, ideally a mason jar or other empty glass jar. A bathtub – or at least a tub big enough to fit your oven racks into.
Fill the bath with just enough hot water to cover the racks, then dissolve a 1/2 cup of liquid or powder dishwasher detergent. Let the racks soak overnight, then use the dryer sheets to wipe the racks, removing grease and food particles. Rinse racks clean with clean, soapy water.
Cleaning oven with baking soda and vinegar:
Spread the paste over all walls of the oven, but NOT on the heating elements. Leave the oven overnight for the best results. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove as much of the baking soda as possible. Using a spray bottle, spray vinegar onto the walls of the oven.
A chemical reaction between the vinegar and the baking soda produces bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The dish detergent in the vinegar helps the bubbles last longer than they would with just vinegar and baking soda.