Ask Annie November

Cleaning the Oven for the Thanksgiving Turkey

Q: How can I clean the oven for Thanksgiving without using conventional oven cleaner? I never seem to be able to rinse the oven cleaner out of the oven enough, and the taste of it gets into the turkey! -Nancy P, ME

A: Mmmm. Yum. Roast Turkey a la Oven Cleaner. I remember that taste from a past time, and I agree that it does seem almost impossible to rinse the cleanser out enough so that it doesn't flavor whatever one is cooking.  {OMG,  I've done that, only once, mind you, but never again !    }

Most people can hardly believe that all I use for cleaning the oven is baking soda and water, and that the project requires no scrubbing. I suppose we have all been so brainwashed by household products companies that we mistakenly believe we require powerful chemicals for cleaning in particular. But most people don't know that simple household minerals such as baking soda can clean like magic. The key is using enough of the mineral.

To clean my oven, I sprinkle baking soda all over the bottom until it is covered completely with about 1/4 of an inch of baking soda. Then, using a clean spray bottle, I spray the baking soda with water until the baking soda is thoroughly damp but not flooded. After that, this lazy cleaner goes off and does other things. When I think of it, I dampen the baking soda again if it is drying out. Before I go to bed, I do that again. When I wake up in the morning, the baking soda can effortlessly be scooped out of the oven with a sponge, bringing all the grime with it. That's it! The only downside is only that the baking soda takes rinsing to get out the white residue, but it sure beats Turkey a La Oven cleaner because there are no fumes!   { I've used this method more than once & it does work, very nicely too     }