Should you clean your stove and oven regularly? Here’s why.
The Stove Top
Most stoves in Colorado Springs are operated by electricity. If you’ve spent any amount of time over an electric stove, you know that small pieces of food and debris often find their way under the heating element.
The Drip Pans:
Appliance repair specialists in Colorado Springs know that simply cleaning beneath heating elements on a regular basis can keep your stove looking new and prevent the risk of electrical fires and shortages.
How to Clean It: Beneath a stove’s heating elements are thin “drip pans” that catch food and debris before they enter the oven’s electrical system. These drip pans should be cleaned regularly to prevent electrical malfunctions.
Note: Drip pans are known for collecting stubborn stains that are incredibly difficult to remove. For cosmetic reasons, these drip pans should be replaced once every two years.
The Control Knobs:
Another common reason homeowners call for appliance repairs is malfunctioning control knobs.
Believe it or not, many homeowners who call for appliance repair in Colorado Springs do so because they’ve damaged the oven’s electrical system by removing the knobs and spraying cleaner into the cavity behind them.
How to Clean Them: When cleaning your stove-top, do not remove the control knobs. That sentence is worth repeating, so read it again!! Instead, use a damp cloth to scrub around the knobs – and never spray cleaner directly onto the appliance.
The Oven
Just like stove tops, ovens should be cleaned regularly to prevent small issues and severe malfunctions.
How to Maintain Self-Cleaning Ovens:
If you have a self-cleaning oven, simply turn on the “self-clean” feature to sterilize the oven cavity. After the cleaning cycle is completed and the oven has cooled, wipe down the racks and walls of your oven with a damp cloth.
How to Maintain Traditional Ovens:
If you do not have a self-cleaning oven, make an effort to clean the inside of the oven at least once a month with a natural, oven-safe cleaner.
While you clean, don’t forget to wipe down the door seal of the over. This part of the appliance is notorious for collecting grease and dirt – if it isn’t cleaned regularly, it can begin to deteriorate and affect the oven’s efficiency.
BONUS TIP: Never Coat your Oven with Foil
It’s not uncommon for families to place aluminum foil underneath their food while it cooks to catch spills and grease.
While this is a great short-term cleaning solution, over time foil can damage your oven’s heating element and block the airflow required to keep the electrical system cool.
Keeping your oven and stove clean are keys to preventing severe issues later on.
Without regular upkeep, stoves and ovens begin to malfunction – or stop working altogether. By taking a few hours each month to clean the inside of your oven, wipe down your stove’s heating elements, and gently clean the control knobs, you can prevent severe issues like air flow problems and electrical shorts.
