Maintaining today's oven is more about preventing trouble than clearing up after it. Oven repair is more about replacing worn parts than it is about r...
Maintaining today's oven is more about preventing trouble than clearing up after it. Oven repair is more about replacing worn parts than it is about removing components,
restoring them to their former glory and putting them back in place. If you have a Wolf oven and have not been diligent about prevention, then you may be better off calling a
Wolf service engineer in to sort things out. If you are confident in your ability to do it yourself, read on.
To make your oven last for tens of years, all you need to do is keep it clean. Keep all connecting tubes through which anything flows clear of grease, crumbs and other obstructions. Equally, do not allow electrical components accumulate spilt grease or burnt on food.
When spills and grease are allowed to build up, fumes and smoke can occur. This can get out of control, ignite and cause lasting damage. Some ovens have a 'continuous cleaning' feature. This is activated by switching the oven on to full power for about an hour. Other devices are installed with a 'self cleaning' option that can be used to clear spills from the inside walls.
The best way to keep your oven clean is to not let things splash around in the first place. If this does happen, wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth before it has an opportunity to bake on and become permanently attached to the surface. For really stubborn spills that can't be removed with clear water, try a little bit or ordinary dishwashing liquid. Make sure that whatever you use is suitable for the surface you are cleaning in order to prevent permanent damage. Keep the inside window glass clean, too.
Cleaning your oven once each week is a sensible precaution. Use continuous cleaning or the self cleaning feature if your device is equipped with it, otherwise, use an oven cleaner. Once each month, turn the power off at the mains and wipe clean the inside of the door, allowing it to cool first.
If you are going to use an oven cleaner, carefully follow the instructions on the package and do not leave it on any longer than specified. Wearing rubber gloves, use a clean, damp sponge to wipe away any surface foam. Keep the kitchen windows open while you are in the room to avoid breathing in any harmful fumes. Clean the control panel and knobs or controls clean with a soft cloth which has been sprayed with mild cleaning fluids. These are not to be sprayed directly onto the surface of the oven.
Cook foods in a large enough vessel that they do not have the opportunity to gurgle out over the top. It is not always sufficient to cover trays and casserole dishes with lids or aluminum foil. If the dish is too small to contain the expanding liquids inside, food will spill over the side and become permanently affixed to the surface below.
The electronic ovens of today have fans that keep the delicate components from becoming too hot. They will continue operating after the oven has been switched off. They may also keep running for as long as an hour after a self-cleaning cycle has been completed.
