plan for thanksgiving clean-up

As the holiday feeding frenzy approaches, Clean+istry is taking a few days off, but not before helping you to plan for thanksgiving clean-up.  If you set your mind to it early, the process will not daunt.  We’ve updated last year’s HUGELY popular post.

You’ll prepare a turkey and then you’ll baste it and then the oven will be a mess. That’s fine. It is unavoidable.  And it’s a part of Thanksgiving.

Clean+istry does not own a self-cleaning oven. They frighten us. You close the door, lock it and then things get really hot. Sometimes the house shakes.

For the non-self-cleaning oven we recommend the following natural course of action:

Before collapsing into bed in a tryptophan-induced stupor, generously sprinkle baking soda across the entire floor of the oven. Spritz the baking soda evenly with a water mist until the baking soda appears moist. Do that two or three times. Next, prepare a batter made from a mixture of water and baking soda and apply to the walls of the oven, as if you were frosting a cake.

Close the door, go to bed and erase the memory of Uncle Harold’s interpretive Pilgrim dance.

In the morning use a well-wrung sponge (perhaps of the pop-up variety) to wipe away the baking soda.

Sometimes a bit of work is required to remove all of the baking soda. Do not fret. Any lingering residue is harmless. This non-toxic method of oven cleaning is far preferable to commercial oven cleaners, capable of inducing coma.

Please, however, do not forget the racks!

The next day, preheat the oven to 200 degrees and then promptly turn the oven off. You are simply warming the racks.

Sprinkle Bon Ami onto a scouring pad (one that will not scratch surfaces). Add a little water and create a paste on the pad.

Remove one rack at a time. Let it cool to the point that it will not burn.

Using an oven mitt, hold the rack upright in the sink with one hand and scrub it with the scouring pad in the other. All but the most stubborn residue will flee.

If you have a commercial oven, such as a Wolfe or Viking, don’t forget the side attachments that hold the racks in place. They are generally removable and should be cleaned as well.

Before returning the racks to the oven inspect the interior carefully. Use a gentle soft scrub (made from baking soda and liquid dish washing detergent) to eliminate any lingering soil on the floor or walls of the oven.

Next, turn on the oven’s light. Look inside. Smile. Do it several times during the day. Go out for dinner. You deserve it.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.