how to clean a gas oven

Have a dirty oven but don't have time for self-clean? We'll tell you how to clean an oven faster with our favorite cleaning products.

When it comes to cleaning the oven, most of us rely on self-clean. No shame in that! It makes getting rid of stubborn messes—like burnt-on cheese from our latest frozen pizza—a breeze. Sometimes, though, that self-clean feature just isn't good enough to get stubborn messes gone. That's when you know it's time to enlist the help of an oven cleaner.

But do you really know which oven cleaner is best? We're taking the guesswork out of shopping for you. We grabbed as many oven cleaners as possible and tested them in our very own Test Kitchen ovens. Find out which we loved for cleaning up our ovens atTaste of Home and in our own homes.

The Best Oven Cleaner: Easy-Off Fume-Free Oven Cleaner

via amazon.com

Our Test Kitchen's ovens were no match for Easy-Off. This spray-on oven cleaner had them looking spic and span and ready to try out your recipes (you can submit your recipes right here!). After giving the oven a spray, we were able to wipe away all the grease using just a regular kitchen scrubber.

This product's cleaning power became obvious to our cooks when they tried the overnight cleaning method recommended on the package: Spray the oven with Easy-Off and let it set overnight. In the morning, we were able to wipe away even stubborn burnt-on foods and grease.

The only drawback here: Easy-Off isn't as fume-free as it claims. We recommend opening a window and working quickly! For an occasional deep clean, we think this is worth it.

$3.94 for a 14.5-ounce spray can; available at retailers nationwide.

Our Runner-Up: Great Value Fume-Free Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner

via amazon.com

You can also get a good clean with Walmart's Great Value Oven Cleaner. This product got rid of grease, gunk and all the dirty messes in our Test Kitchen. It left a few streaks, so be sure to wipe with water when done—never a bad idea with chemical cleaners!

$2.74 for a 16-ounce spray can; available exclusively at Walmart.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to oven cleaners, our testers recommend the traditional cleaners (the ones that come in a spray can). We tried options in squirt bottles and multipurpose stovetop/oven cleaners—they just couldn't cut through our tough messes—and sometimes made the mess worse!

We recommend that you stick with these classic cleaners for when you really need to go above and beyond self-clean. Yes, they can have an unpleasant odor (even though they say fume-free), but if you work quickly and open a window or turn on a fan, you should be just fine. The sparkling-clean oven will be worth it!

More Tips for How to Clean an Oven

If your oven isn't quite dirty enough for one of these powerful cleaners (and you don't feel like the hassle of using the self-cleaning feature), you can opt for some all-natural options.

And don't stop with the oven! You can check out some more of our favorite cleaning tips in this video.

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Be sure to check out our other Best Loved Brands to keep your house feeling clean and fresh (and to keep your pantry stocked with the very best, too!).

All-Purpose Cleaner

This is the cleaning product you likely reach for the most. It's a multi-tasking wonder that's used to clean off grimy counters, sticky tabletops and even for wiping down windows. Find out which brand really cleaned up in our tests.

Dish Soap

No doubt about it—our favorite dishes (think lasagna, mac and cheese and crispy bacon) leave us with the worst messes. We found the best dish soap for cutting through the grease, stuck-on bits and grime. Find out which brand we loved.

Stain Remover

Every host dreads having to clean up after a messy spill. Serve red wine—like our favorite boxed version—stress-free when you have a good stain remover on hand. Here's our favorite.

Cast Iron Cleaner

If you use your cast-iron pan frequently—and you should be with all these good recipes—you know that sometimes it takes a little extra to get it clean. With the right tool, you can get your pan spick-and-span and ready for more skillet suppers. Find out what we use to get our cast iron clean.

Oven Cleaner

Sometimes self-clean doesn't do enough to get your oven completely clean. Give your oven a refresh—and save yourself extra scrubbing—with a good spray-on oven cleaner. Check out our top pick.

Surface Stain Eraser

A good surface stain eraser can take care of lots of life's small messes and can even restore our treasured vintage Pyrex. This is the brand we prefer.

Wood Floor Cleaner

Anyone with wood floors certainly treasures them. However, keeping them looking like new can be tricky. You don't want to go too harsh with your cleaning products but a quick sweep isn't good enough for long-term clean. Find out what we use to keep wood floors looking their best.

Kitchen Degreaser

Everyone has that baking sheet that has seen better days. You don't need to scrap it! Instead, invest in a good degreaser to bring it back to life. Check out our go-to product.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

We love the look of stainless steel, but as pretty as it is, it's prone to smudging. Our Test Kitchen is full of stainless steel ovens, freezers and refrigerators. Find out what we use to keep them all clean.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Your garbage disposal sees a lot of mess, and it deserves a good clean. For this, you don't need to break out the rubber gloves (save those for dishes). Instead, opt for an easy-to-use pod. Here's our favorite brand.

Paper Towels

We rely on paper towels to take care of all kinds of messes. Since we regularly stock up on rolls, we had to ask if it was really worth it to pay more for the pricier brands. Find out what our Test Kitchen recommends.

Dishwasher Cleaner

Yes, your dishwasher needs cleaning! After taking care of all your dirty dishes, it's a good thing to give your dishwasher a clean itself. With easy-to-use pods, it's no trouble to keep it fresh. Find out what our Test Kitchen uses.

Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.