Cleaning the cooker is usually everyone’s least favourite job in the kitchen. Wiping up any spills and splashes as they happen will help you avoid having to do a major clean too often.
For regular maintenance:
Gas cookers: Remove the metal burners regularly and wash in hot diluted washing-up liquid. Use a cream cleaner on the cooker top (and the burners if necessary) to remove burned-on food.
Electric cookers: Cheek the manufacturer’s instructions first.
- Switch off power before cleaning electric cookers.
- Brush solid electric hot plates with a wire brush.
- Remove drip pans under the rings and soak in soapy water before scouring them with a steel pad. Pat these dry with kitchen roll and replace.
- Wipe ceramic and metal cooker tops with a damp cloth and a proprietary cleaner.
Ovens: Remove racks and wash in soapy water.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for self-cleaning ovens, and remember that ordinary oven-cleaning products may damage your oven lining. Most just need an occasional brushing out with a stiff brush. For normal ovens, use a branded cleaner and carefully follow the instructions. Wear gloves, protect the floor with newspaper, and ventilate the room. Treat these products with caution; they usually contain sodium hydroxide, which can burn skin and mark floors and paintwork.
- For a quick clean, preheat the oven to 110°C (225°F, gas mark 1/4 ), spray the inside with oven cleaner, leave for ten minutes, then turn power off and wipe the cleaner away with a damp cloth, taking care, as oven will be hot. Rinse frequently (make sure that you have plenty of ventilation).
- Cast iron cooker (Aga): These are self-cleaning. Use a stiff wire brush on hot-plates (but be careful, these will always be hot). To clean the vitreous enamel top and sides, use a damp soapy cloth, then wipe dry.
Sinks and drainage areas
- Synthetic resin can be wiped with a damp cloth dipped in bicarbonate of soda or a cream cleaner.
- Porcelain can he cleaned with a cream or specialized cleaner.
- Stainless steel can he wiped clean with diluted dishwashing liquid. Remove water stains and smears with a proprietary cleaner and polish with a kitchen towel. Do not use chemical cleaners on stainless steel, because they can spoil the finish.
