Subtleties of cleaning the oven with steam
Steam cleaning is a convenient and effective way to remove dirt from the inside of your oven.
For those who cook frequently, this method is the best option to keep the oven clean.
There are certain subtleties of cleaning an oven with steam.
Content
What it is?
Oven steam treatment or hydrolysis is a cleaning method that allows you to eliminate grease and dirt on the inner walls of the oven without using household chemicals with an aggressive composition.
Pros and cons of hydrolysis
Steam cleaning cannot be called a completely automatic removal of contaminants in the oven. But this treatment greatly simplifies the process of caring for the stove. Hydrolysis has its advantages and disadvantages compared to other methods
Pros:
hydrolysis will not require the cost of expensive household chemicals;- since cleaning occurs at relatively low temperatures, energy consumption is low;
- steam cleaning helps save time; After the procedure, all that remains is to remove the softened stains with a rag - this is much more convenient than scrubbing dried stains with force for a long time;
- the hydrolysis process is safe - since the exposure temperature is low, the cabinet door does not overheat and the risk of getting burned is minimal.
Minuses:
- after the procedure is completed, dirt may remain on the cabinet walls that will have to be removed manually;
- to remove stubborn stains, the cleaning procedure will have to be repeated or removed manually - for this reason, it is recommended to carry out the process of treating the oven with steam in a timely manner;
- hydrolysis can only be carried out after the oven has completely cooled; You should not organize such cleaning immediately after finishing cooking.
Preparing to clean the oven
Before hydrolysis cleaning, the oven must first be opened and all contents removed from it: baking sheets, pans, etc.
What you will need for cleaning:
- water;
- detergent or cleaning powder;
- small container or baking tray.
How to clean surfaces?
There are 2 ways to steam clean an oven. In the first case, improvised means are used for processing, for example, a baking sheet or other container. Ovens with a built-in hydrolysis function will not require additional reservoirs.
Built-in function
Ovens equipped with the Aqua Clean program are equipped with a special tank. Water is poured into it with the addition of detergents with a non-aggressive composition. During the hydrolysis process, fat drains from the walls along with dirt and ends up in a special tray for collecting dirt.
How to clean an oven with steam using the built-in Aqua Clean function:
Remove kitchen utensils from the oven.- Pour water into a special reservoir at the bottom of the oven (the exact volume of liquid required is indicated in the instructions for the oven).
- Close the door.
- Start the steam cleaning function.
- When the oven beeps to indicate the end of the cycle, you need to turn off the oven and open the door.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe away any remaining moisture and wipe the walls inside the oven, simultaneously removing softened dirt.
- Wipe the surface of the oven with a dry cloth.
- Leave the oven open for 30 minutes until the interior of the cabinet is completely dry.
Manual method
If your oven does not have a built-in steam cleaning function, then You can prepare the cleaning solution yourself:
- pour a small amount of water into a baking tray;
- pour in water or pour out detergent or cleaning agent;
- set the oven temperature to 100 C°;
- place a baking sheet with water and cleaning agent inside the oven;
- close the door;
- turn off the oven after 40 minutes.
Under the influence of temperature, water begins to evaporate. In combination with detergent, it acts on dirt that has settled on the walls. As a result, the plaque softens and can be easily removed with a soft cloth.
Comparison with other methods
In addition to hydrolytic cleaning of ovens, there are also pyrolytic and catalytic cleaning. Each type of processing has its own characteristics:
| Hydrolytic | Catalytic | Pyrolytic | |
| Cleaning Features | Dirt softens under the influence of steam | Fats are broken down under the influence of catalysts located in the oven walls | Dirt and grease are reduced to ash by high temperatures |
| Temperature | 90-100 C° | 140-250 C° | Up to 500 C° |
| Frequency of application | Several times a month, depending on how often you use the oven | After every meal preparation | As needed |
| Electricity consumption | Small | Average | High |
| Consumables | Water | Catalytic panels | No |
| The need to use household chemicals at the final stage of cleaning | Required | Required | Not required |
| Oven cost | Low | Average | High |
| Efficiency | Softens dirt | Effective for removing fresh stains | Removes both fresh and stubborn dirt |
The choice of a specific type of oven cleaning depends on the wishes of the buyer. When choosing, you should take into account the economic side of the issue: the cost of the oven and energy costs, as well as processing time.
Useful tips
To make hydrolytic oven cleaning more effective, It is useful to consider several recommendations:
- In addition to dishwashing detergent, you can add other cleaning agents to the water poured into the pan: citric acid, vinegar, orange or lemon juice.
- Steam cleaning can be repeated to remove stubborn stains.
- Used water should not be left in a baking tray or special oven compartment overnight.
Conclusion
Hydrolysis is a gentle alternative to catalytic and pyrolytic oven cleaning. Some ovens have a steam cleaning function - you just need to pour water into a special tank and start the program. For models that do not provide this function, a baking tray or other container is used as a reservoir for the cleaning composition.
