Even if your oven has a self-cleaning feature, it is important to wipe off the grease and other messes inside to ensure it remains spotless after it self-cleans.
Oven cleaners come in very handy at helping you with this because they are very effective at eliminating tough stains.
That said, there are many varieties of these cleaners and to help you narrow it down to the one that suits your needs, here is a close up look at 10 of the best oven cleaners in the market.
What To Check Before Buying Oven Cleaner?
1. Gentle or Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner?
There are two main categories of oven cleaners: gentle and heavy-duty. Gentle cleaners are safe to handle using bare hands because their cleaning action plus alkalinity is not aggressive enough to cause skin irritation.
On the downside, they have a long deep-cleaning waiting time, which can range from 30 minutes to 4 hours for the self-scouring type.
For the heavy-duty type, they are highly alkaline (high pH) and contain corrosive components such as lye and caustic soda that make them very quick at penetrating and loosening grease and grime.
However, they may produce harmful fumes and can cause skin irritation. Therefore, you need to wear protective gear such as a mask and gloves.
Our Tips: For general cleaning, gentle cleaners are recommended and for this, check out Puracy’s PMSC25-2. However, for stubborn stains, buy a heavy-duty cleaner such as Easy-Off’s 6233804250.
2. Formula
Foaming cleaning formulas are the best because they cling to the vertical and horizontal surfaces. This gives the solution more time to penetrate deep into the grease and grime layers to lift it from the grates/grill’s metal surface.
Other than that, you need to check for the environmental-friendliness of the formula. Biodegradable cleaners are highly recommended because they are safe to use.
That said, Puracy’s PMSC25-2 stands out because it has an all-natural plant-based formula, which is safe for the environment and also safe for kids and pets. It is highly recommended because you won’t be exposed to fumes or harsh chemicals.
3. Ease of Use
The ease of use factor depends on the bottle. Some oven cleaners are packaged in spray bottles, others in aerosol cans and a few come in normal bottles with lids.
Aerosol cans are the easiest to use because they allow you to spray using high pressure to force the cleaner into the grease.
On the other hand, spray bottles spray using pressure, but it is not as much as the one in the aerosol cans. However, they are reusable, which makes them environmentally friendly.
Lastly, regular bottles have the main advantage of being reusable but require significantly more effort to apply to the surface.
4. Scent
While most oven cleaners are odorless, some have unique scents that leave your oven having a sweet-smelling fragrance after use. There are various scents available for different products and these are usually labeled in the packaging.
For instance, Puracy’s PMSC25-2 has a green tea and lime scent that is very natural. Easy-Off’s 6233874017 has its unique lemon scent that is very pleasing.
None can be said to better than the other and selection should be based on personal preference. Some actually prefer the odorless type because the scents irritate their nose. You simply have to try them to see which one works for you.
5. Versatility
Even though they are meant for oven cleaning, some of these products are very versatile and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. This is highly recommended and Puracy’s PMSC25-2 is the best example because it can be used to clean all non-fabric surfaces.
10 Best Oven Cleaners of 2021 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Puracy PMSC25-2 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Zep ZUOVGR19 (Best Budget) |
|
 | 3. Easy-Off 6233804250 (Best Heavy-Duty) |
|
 | 4. Easy-Off 6233874017 (Best Fume-Free) |
|
 | 5. Durgol 0297 (Best for Steamer Ovens) |
|
 | 6. TriNova Premium (Best Non-Abrasive) |
|
 | 7. Carbona 317 (Has Biodegradable Formula) |
|
 | 8. Carbona 320 (Complete Set) |
|
 | 9. Mr. Muscle DRK 91206 (Self-Scouring Action) |
|
 | 10. Green Gobbler GGOVC (Has Non-Corrosive Alkaline Formula) |
|
1. Puracy PMSC25-2 – Best Overall
Photo: Puracy
- Scent: Green Tea and Lime
- Package: 25 fl. oz. (2 Pack)
Taking the top spot is Puracy’s PMSC25-2 because it has an all-natural plant-based formula that is free from harsh chemicals and fumes. This makes it very safe for children, pets, and also for the environment.
It is developed and tested by doctors (PhDs) to remove food, grease, grime, spills, residues, and other multiple messes in ovens and other multiple non-fabric surfaces around your home such as porcelain, wood, plastic, stainless steel, painted surfaces, etc.
The product is actually quoted as “the best all-purpose cleaner” by The New York Times, and it can be used to clean hundreds of surfaces without streaking.
Other than that, the cleaner comes as a set of two 25 fl. oz. spray bottles, which gives you a value pack with a combined 50 fl. oz. All two are scented using green tea and lime, which gives you a sweet-smelling natural fragrance after cleaning your oven.
The only issue is that the cleaner does not have a heavy-duty formulation and therefore, for heavily soiled areas, you must spray the surface and wait for at least 30 seconds before wiping using a microfiber cloth.
Pros:
- All-natural plant-based formulation
- Works on all non-fabric surfaces
- Cleans without streaking
- Includes two 25 fl. oz. spray bottles
- Scented for sweet-smelling natural fragrance
Cons:
- Not a heavy-duty cleaner
2. Zep ZUOVGR19 – Best Budget
Photo: Zep
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 19 fl. oz.
If you are on a tight budget, you should consider Zep’s ZUOVGR19 because it is the most affordable oven cleaner in this review. Despite this, it is a highly effective product, whose formula dissolves carbon and baked-on grease.
Once sprayed, the cleaner solution creates a thick foam that clings to the surfaces, and this allows the formula to penetrate deep inside to dissolve the grease and carbon. To achieve this though, you need to shake the aerosol can well then spray and leave it for 5-10 minutes to penetrate.
That said, the cleaner can be used on stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic and is therefore ideal for cleaning pots, pans, grills, and of course, ovens.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Dissolves carbon and baked-on grease
- Spray foam clings to the surface for maximum penetration
- Ideal for multiple surfaces
Cons:
- Non-heavy-duty formulation (requires some time to dissolve)
3. Easy-Off 6233804250 – Best Heavy-Duty
Photo: Easy-Off
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 24 fl. oz.
For tough, baked-on spills and grease, Easy-Off’s 6233804250 is the best cleaner to buy because it has a heavy-duty formulation that cuts through these stains in as little as 3-5 minutes. This makes it ideal for cleaning broilers, barbecue grills, and ovens.
The cleaner can actually be used on hot or cold ovens, and with a hot one, it should be pre-heated to about 200ºF. This should be done when deep cleaning to remove tough, baked-on stains. It can also be used for cold cleaning, but this has a long waiting time of about 20 minutes.
For spot cleaning, pre-heating is not necessary and you should let it sit for about 30 seconds before wiping.
That said, the cleaner is packed in a 24 fl. oz. aerosol can, which is quite a large size, and this gives you enough quantity for occasional deep oven cleaning, as well as everyday cleaning of tough spots.
However, the formula produces harsh fumes, which requires you to wear a mask and rubber gloves when cleaning.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty formulation
- Ideal for cleaning multiple surfaces
- Relatively large 24 fl. oz. aerosol can package
- Usable on hot or cold ovens
Cons:
- Produces harsh fumes
4. Easy-Off 6233874017 – Best Fume-Free
Photo: Easy-Off
- Scent: Lemon
- Package: 24 fl. oz.
As compared to the Easy-Off 6233804250, this cleaner has a fume-free formulation that also does not have lye. As such, no mask or gloves are required when spraying and wiping the surface because it does not cause any irritation.
Despite this, the formulation is still advanced enough for cold oven cleaning. It penetrates and dissolves tough, baked-on grease to leave your oven clean after wiping.
However, it is not a heavy-duty cleaner, and therefore, it takes up to 40 minutes of deep cleaning waiting time, and it can only be used for cold oven cleaning. On the bright side, the spot cleaning waiting time is only 30 seconds, which is very short.
Other features include a sweet-smelling lemon fragrance and a relatively large 24 fl. oz. aerosol can package, which is quite affordable.
Pros:
- Fume-free, lye-free formulation
- Penetrates and dissolves baked-on grease
- Short 30-second spot cleaning waiting time
- Sweet-smelling lemon scent
- Quite affordable
Cons:
- Not ideal for hot oven cleaning
- Long deep cleaning waiting time
5. Durgol 0297 – Best Cleaner for Steamer Ovens
Photo: Durgol
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 16.9 fl. oz.
Durgol’s 0297 has a unique descaling/ decalcifying formulation that is specially designed to clean all types of built-in steamer ovens.
It is highly effective and removes 100% of limescale without leaving any calcium citrate or calcium lactate behind. This also makes it ideal for cleaning coffee machines because this limescale is the main cause of clogging in these units.
The solution leaves no residue, odor, or aftertaste, which means you can use your oven immediately after cleaning.
More features include being environmentally-safe and 100% recyclable PET bottle packaging in a 16.9 fl. oz quantity. However, the cleaner is quite expensive.
Pros:
- Descaling/ decalcifying formulation for steamer ovens
- Leaves no residue, odor, or aftertaste
- Environmentally safe
- 100% recyclable PET bottle packaging
Cons:
- Expensive
6. TriNova Premium – Best Non-Abrasive
Photo: TriNova
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 12 fl. oz.
For all smooth cooktop ranges, glass oven doors, and stainless-steel interior surfaces, TriNova’s Premium is the best cleaner to use because it has a streak-free and non-abrasive formulation. This cleans and polishes these surfaces without causing any scratches.
Complimentary scrubbing pads are included to help you get started straight out of the box and these are soft enough to offer scratch-free scrubbing performance.
While cleaning, the formula is designed to eliminate burnt-on grease to leave your cooking appliances looking new and ageless.
The only problem is that the product comes in a very small 12 fl. oz. package, which is quite a small quantity. However, the cleaning formula is concentrated, which means you use very little when cleaning.
Pros:
- Streak-free, non-abrasive formulation
- Includes complimentary scrubbing pads
- Eliminates burnt-on grease
- Cleans and polishes
Cons:
- Small package
7. Carbona 317 – Biodegradable Oven Cleaner
Photo: Carbona
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 16.8 fl. oz.
Carbona’s 317 has a biodegradable cleaning formula that is very safe for the environment and is certified by the SCS environmental claim program (meets both US and EU standards). In actual numbers, it is 70% biodegradable within 30 days.
The cleaner is also fume-free, which means you don’t need to wear a mask or gloves when wiping your oven.
Despite this, it is a tough acting no-drip gel that works as efficiently as aerosols in penetrating and removing grease and grime that are baked on the surface.
On the downside, you get a small non-concentrated 16.8 fl. oz. quantity of cleaning solution.
Pros:
- Biodegradable cleaning formula
- SCS environmental claim program certified
- Fume-free
- Tough acting no-drip gel
Cons:
- Small quantity
8. Carbona 320 – Complete Oven Cleaner Set
Photo: Carbona
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 16.8 fl. oz.
The main advantage of buying Carbona’s 320 is that you get a complete oven cleaning set, which includes the cleaning fluid, disposable gloves, and a rack cleaning bag. With this, you can clean oven grates, rack, and grill grates in 3 simple steps, which are bagging, soaking and rinsing.
It works best on stainless steel and enamel grates and by using these 3 simple steps, the cleaner eliminates the need to turn on the oven for hot/warm cleaning.
This solution is packaged in a 16.8 fl. oz. container and the only problem it has is that it causes skin and eye irritation. Therefore, you must put on protective gear before commencing the cleaning process.
Pros:
- Includes disposable gloves and a rack cleaning bag
- Cleans in 3 easy steps
- Works on stainless steel and enameled grates
- Eliminates the need for pre-heating
Cons:
- Causes skin and eye irritation
9. Mr. Muscle DRK 91206 – Self-Scouring
Photo: Mr. Muscle
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 19 fl. oz.
Mr. Muscle’s DRK 91206 is very convenient to use because it produces a long-lasting foam that penetrates, dissolves and lifts away baked-on grease and grime. This self-scouring action means little scrubbing is required to clean up your stainless-steel fryers, pans, pots, and ovens.
However, for it to work effectively, you need to leave the formula to penetrate for about 30 minutes. For tougher stains, this can go for up to 4 hours, and therefore, you need some patience.
You can hasten the process though by pre-heating the oven, where the grease and other stains will be softened by the heat.
Pros:
- Self-scouring cleaning action
- Cleans baked-on grease and grime
- Can be used on multiple tools and appliances
- Works on cold or hot ovens
Cons:
- Long waiting time
10. Green Gobbler GGOVC – Non-Corrosive Alkaline
Photo: Green Gobbler
- Scent: Odorless
- Package: 32 fl. oz.
With a pH of over 12.5, Green Gobbler’s GGOVC has quite a caustic formulation, but it is non-corrosive to the skin. As such, it is very effective at eliminating grease, carbon, and baked-on deposits but you don’t need to wear gloves when scrubbing.
Additionally, it is biodegradable and does not produce any toxic fumes, which means you do not need to wear a mask too.
That said, the solution forms a thick foam that clings to vertical and horizontal surfaces to give it more time to penetrate through the grease and grime.
Other features include a large 32 fl. oz. pack, which gives you quite a lot of cleaning solution, and it is in the form of a concentrated gel, which means you only need to spray a small amount for each use.
However, the product is not a heavy-duty cleaner and thus, it requires quite some time to penetrate and lift the grease before wiping.
Pros:
- Non-corrosive formula
- Biodegradable and fume free
- Forms a thick foam that clings to surfaces for maximum penetration
- Large 32 fl. oz. concentrate pack
Cons:
- Not a heavy-duty cleaner
How To Properly Clean Your Oven?
Whether you are using a gentle or heavy-duty cleaner, there are a few basic steps that you must follow when cleaning your oven.
First, open the windows in the kitchen for ventilation purposes. This is very important if the cleaner is heavy-duty because it will produce harmful fumes. That said, even when using fume-free products, still open the windows to be on the safe side.
Wear a mask and gloves if using fuming cleaners that can cause skin and eye irritation. Make sure you use disposable rubber gloves so that the liquid does not penetrate through.
For hot cleaning, pre-heat the oven to the recommended temperature indicated on the cleaner. This is usually around 200ºF, and it softens the grease for quick removal. After this, spray or apply the liquid then leave it to sip in and lift the grime.
For cold cleaning, apply the cleaner to the grates and other surfaces then let it sit for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
If the cleaner comes with a rack cleaning bag, insert the rack inside and soak in using the solution.
Once the waiting time has elapsed, wipe the surface using a microfiber cloth or sponge and that’s it. However, if you spot some stubborn stains, reapply the cleaner to these spots and let it sit for a longer time to work its magic. After this, make sure to safely dispose of the gloves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, oven cleaners come in different varieties but Puracy’s PMSC25-2 takes the top spot because it is a safe, natural, and versatile cleaner that has a natural green tea and lime fragrance.
However, if you want a heavy-duty type to remove tough stains, Easy-Off’s 6233804250 should be your go-to option. If you have a steamer oven though, Durgol’s 0297 is the best oven cleaner to buy because it has a descaling formula.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying Oven Cleaner?
- 10 Best Oven Cleaners of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. Puracy PMSC25-2 – Best Overall
- 2. Zep ZUOVGR19 – Best Budget
- 3. Easy-Off 6233804250 – Best Heavy-Duty
- 4. Easy-Off 6233874017 – Best Fume-Free
- 5. Durgol 0297 – Best Cleaner for Steamer Ovens
- 6. TriNova Premium – Best Non-Abrasive
- 7. Carbona 317 – Biodegradable Oven Cleaner
- 8. Carbona 320 – Complete Oven Cleaner Set
- 9. Mr. Muscle DRK 91206 – Self-Scouring
- 10. Green Gobbler GGOVC – Non-Corrosive Alkaline
- How To Properly Clean Your Oven?
- Conclusion