‘Burnt-on food melted away’: 11 best oven cleaners tried by experts and at home

Score: 91/100

Our best oven cleaner scored full marks for its performance in the lab. Burnt-on food melted away from the racks with ease after soaking, needing just a quick rinse to get rid of all the residue. It was a similar story on the base of the oven, which was left shiny and spotless with minimal scrubbing required – something other oven cleaners often struggle with.

A transparent window or panel would be a helpful addition to the bottle as it’s tricky to see how much cleaner you’ve used (instructions tell you to use two-thirds for the racks and trays). Plus, you have to leave it overnight for the best results. We don’t mind waiting if it means a clean oven without the faff though…

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89/100

Running a close second, Oven Pride’s oven cleaner kit impressed our testers with its ability to loosen grime. After leaving the product on our heavily soiled oven for the minimum four-hour time period, only light scrubbing was needed to remove burnt-on food and leave the interior and racks ‘sparkling’.

Like Oven Brite above, it comes with a bag so you can soak your racks in the product – excellent if you don’t want to scrub all those gaps – as well as protective gloves. Just note that it can’t be used on oven doors (the caustic fluid could damage the glass) and it does leave behind a fair amount of residue to clean up. Overall, though, it’s an excellent kit for deep cleans.

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Score: 86/100

Goodbye grease, hello sparkling oven. This easy-to-apply oven cleaner worked wonders in our lab, removing almost all the dirt in one wipe. Tougher burnt-on stains needed some scrubbing to come loose, but given how quickly it works, we can’t complain – you only have to soak for five minutes before getting started.

That said, our panel said leaving it for longer than the recommended time helped achieve better results. They also would have liked the solution to be less foamy and runny as it tended to drip down the rest of the oven while soaking. That aside, the majority were pleased with the streak-free and shiny finish.

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Score: 86/100

Claiming to have a special self-scouring formula that removes the need for scrubbing, our expert couldn’t wait to put this oven cleaner to the test. While most light stains came off in one swift wipe, the same couldn’t be said for tougher residue so we’re sorry to say you’ll still have to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

This cleaner proved most effective on the racks and shelves (glass needed more attention) but the 30-minute soak time ensures the tedious task of cleaning the oven isn’t dragged out too long. Note, some panellists said the cleaning solution had a strong chemically-smell so we recommend opening a window during use and wearing gloves and an apron to protect your clothes.

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Score: 86/100

This one received rave reviews for its effectiveness after a single application.

There wasn’t much information on how much product to use for the best results, but we applied it until the surface was completely covered before leaving it for 30 minutes. After soaking, all the burnt-on food in the oven had softened and we managed to remove most remaining residue after a bit of scrubbing.

The oven door was left slightly cloudy afterwards, but the wire racks and shelves were sparkling.

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Score: 84/100

Every member of our panel said they’d recommend this product to others, listing its eco-claims and cleaning power as the reason. Ecover says the bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and the cruelty-free formula contains ‘consciously chosen ingredients’ that are plant-based and biodegradable. The oven cleaner is made in their zero-waste factory too, so it’s a good choice for those looking for more environmentally friendly buys.

While scrubbing was needed to remove grime and dirt on all surfaces, it lifted residue in just a few minutes. It worked particularly well on the oven door and racks, and testers were pleased with its performance after just one application. For quick, effective daily cleans, this should be your go-to.

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Score: 84/100

This gel-based formula uses baking soda and activated carbon to help remove stubborn residue inside the oven. Panellists said the bottle was easy to hold, making application fuss-free, and the clear instructions helped them get to work quickly.

Despite leaving the gel to soak for 20 minutes as instructed, the cleaner needed extra time for it to be truly effective. Debris was fully softened on the racks and oven door after half an hour, while thick grime in the base of the oven required over an hour of soaking before it started to budge. A little bit of elbow grease did the trick though, and most panellists said their oven came up shining.

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Score: 83/100

We only had to soak baked-on foods for three to five minutes with this oven cleaner before it softened up and we could wipe it away with a cloth. Wire racks barely needed any scrubbing, and neither did the oven door – we only had to roll up our sleeves when it came to burnt-on stains in the bottom of the oven.

Our main bugbear with this cleaner was the application. The bottle is heavy, and the trigger has some resistance to it, so your hand gets sore if you’re spraying a lot in one go. It also comes out in a thin stream, so it took us a while to cover the whole oven. That said, the spray does have a wide reach, which made it easy to apply to corners and awkward spaces.

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Score: 83/100

This scored highly for application, as it’s easy to direct the spray onto problem areas inside your oven. In testing, it foamed up nicely, coating wire racks and the oven door without dripping and running down the surfaces too much.

There were mixed opinions on its cleaning power though, with our panel finding the cleaner struggled with tough burnt-on stains without multiple applications and some tough scrubbing. In the lab however, our tester said it tackled grease well and only left some small bits of residue behind after working on burnt-on stains.

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Score: 83/100

While we’re never happy about having to clean the oven, Scrub Daddy’s cheerful face makes it less tedious. This natural multipurpose cleaning paste comes with the Scrub Mommy cleaning sponge, which is used to apply the cleaner to the oven – just dampen the sponge and swirl it on the paste to create an effective foam.

We left the cleaner on for half an hour before wiping, and found most debris was removed after two swipes with a damp cloth. Everyone agreed that light stains and general cleaning proved no issue; however, burnt-on specks required more attention.

One thing to note is that the sponge has to be rinsed off before re-dipping into the paste to avoid contaminating the rest of the product. We recommend buying another sponge for ease.

Score: 83/100

We found this oven cleaner was best suited to tackling grease and food stains on wire racks and the oven door, with minimal scrubbing needed to remove day-to-day debris. For tougher marks, we had to give the surfaces a harder scrub, and a second or third application was required for a more effective clean.

The spray did clog a few times, which wasn’t ideal, but our panellists were pleased with the number of applications you could get out of it and liked how it neutralised any smells.

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Score: 79/100

Method’s natural oven and hob degreaser works a treat on grease deposits, with panellists telling us it “effortlessly” cleaned fat splashes from a roast and left hobs “sparkling”. The well-designed trigger spray is precise and very easy to dispense – one person with arthritis was able to use it one-handed without any issues.

The lemongrass scent was another hit. Testers thought it smelt fresh and wasn’t ‘too chemically’. Unlike harsher chemical cleaners, you can use it in the air fryer as well as other grease-prone hard surfaces such as extractor hoods and splashbacks.

However, for tougher, burnt-on deposits, it needed more time and effort. Our expert found that these marks required repeat applications and firm scrubbing, while some panellists also said the oven glass took several attempts to clean. Overall, it’s an excellent everyday degreaser, but burnt-on grime will need more elbow grease or a stronger product.

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How we test oven cleaners

Our Good Housekeeping Institute team smear a sticky mixture of ingredients – including pre-mixed cake batter, cheddar cheese, tomato paste and strawberry jam – onto the base of the oven in our lab, as well as on to the racks and glass door. They bake this mixture on for 30 minutes and leave it to cool overnight.

The next morning, they apply each oven cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions, judging it on its ease of use, fragrance and, most importantly, overall cleaning performance.

We also send each oven cleaner out to our panel at home who use them to tackle their own ovens. They provide feedback on application, cleaning power, and overall finish.

Finally, we combine the lab analysis and panel feedback into one overall score.

Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

Taking the drudgery out of those essential household tasks is at the heart of everything we do here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and we’ve been providing housekeeping tips and tricks for over 100 years, so we know a thing or two about how to keep an oven sparkling.

To find the best oven cleaning products on the market, our expert testers follow strict protocols for staining our lab ovens, so each cleaner is faced with the same worst case cleaning scenario.

The results are then passed to our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, who has written hundreds of product reviews, covering everything from the best window vacuum to the best dishwasher tablets, so she knows what to look for in an effective cleaning product.

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What is the best way to clean a really dirty oven?

For the most thorough results, use a specially designed oven cleaner. Follow the instructions on its label, let fresh air flow through your kitchen and always wear rubber gloves.

To get your oven door looking as good as new, gently lift off heavy dirt with a metal spatula or ceramic hob scraper before applying your oven cleaner. Some ovens allow you to remove the door entirely, which might make cleaning easier.

Note that not all oven cleaners are suitable for glass, so check before you buy. If you’re wary, mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water to make a paste. Rub it on to your oven door and leave for 20 minutes before wiping it off with a damp microfibre cloth.

Some oven cleaners come with rack sponges and rack bags to help you clean dirty shelves. If stains remain stubborn, dissolve 250g of soda crystals in a sink full of hot water and soak your racks for an hour, before scrubbing away any burnt-on food with a scrunched-up ball of foil. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before returning them to your oven.

Need a little extra scrubbing power and a tool that gets into the nooks and crannies? Check out the Good Housekeeping Institute’s best electric cleaning brush for sparkling surfaces without the sweat.

Can you use oven cleaner on an air fryer?

No, you shouldn’t use oven cleaner to clean your air fryer. Most air fryer baskets and trays have a non-stick coating, which can be damaged by the harsh chemicals in oven cleaners. Plus, if the oven cleaner isn’t completely washed off the cooking surfaces, any remaining residue could contaminate your food.

A safer way to clean burnt-on food and grease from your air fryer is to make a paste of baking soda and a little water. Apply it to any stubborn deposits, let it sit for 15 minutes and then gently scrub and rinse away.

How often should you clean your oven?

You probably know what we’re going to say, but it’s true that the longer you put off cleaning your oven, the harder it will be!

Aim to clean your oven at least every three months, or whenever you notice burnt-on dirt accumulating. Smoke building up when you’re baking is another sign that you need to dig out the oven cleaner.

How to keep your oven clean for longer

To keep your oven in good shape and go longer between cleans, our experts suggest the following steps.

Use oven liners: An oven liner will stop food spills and splatters building up and burning onto the oven. Try Lakeland’s non-stick oven liner, which can be cut to size and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning (just let it cool before you remove it).

Buy roasting bags: These are good for meat, fish and veg, and will stop spits and splashes during cooking.

Wipe down after use: Try to get into the habit of wiping away any spills once the oven has cooled, as this will stop them getting burnt on. Another top tip to try after cooking is to put a heat-resistant bowl filled with water inside your oven and heat at a high temperature for 20 minutes, to help loosen any dirt or grease. When it’s cool, simply wipe down.

The verdict: Which is the best oven cleaner?

Our best heavy duty oven cleaner for tackling grease and tough stains is Oven Brite, which scored highly in both our lab and panel tests, and even managed to get tough burnt-on stains off the bottom of the oven.

Unfortunately, it can’t be used on glass oven doors, so for this we recommend one of our joint best oven cleaner sprays. Kilrock’s Oven Cleaner Spray achieved the best results on the oven door and left us with a lovely, shiny finish.

However, the Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner and Cif Perfect Finish Oven Cleaner achieved the same score and both cost slightly less. Cif was also crowned our top ‘one application’ cleaner for those who don't want to hang around.

27 August 2025: We updated this article by checking the stock levels and prices to ensure all the best oven cleaners are ready for you to buy. We also restructured the article to make it easier to shop and added more related links to Good Housekeeping content.