Cleaning Oven Racks (drain, stove, sink, cleaner)

[bibit612]

I have a self cleaning oven where care instructions say remove the racks before running the cycle. Now, I spend easily an hour trying to scrub these racks with a scrubbing pad and Comet until my hands are prune-like. Is there something I could use that is safe for not only the racks but for the stainless-steel sink I wash them in? I really don't want to use oven cleaner not only for the noxious fumes but for fear of wrecking my sink. Any help/tips appreciated.

[christina0001]

I use Greased Lightening (which is a great all-purpose cleaner), and the scratchy side of a sponge. Works for me. I just checked the bottle, and it's okay to use on stainless steel, so your sink should be fine.
Be sure to wipe up spills as they occur, so you don't have to use so much elbow grease when it's time to clean.

[golfgal]

I just leave them in the oven when I clean it. I have never had a problem doing that.

[tcs1366]

I too love Greased Lightening.

also Oxy has their version of "steel wool" scrubby thing... i can't recall the name. but those work really well too.

for cleaning very large objects, that really dont fit in the sink... i will do them on the counter, but on a large bath towel... that way nothing gets scratched.

[maggiekate]

i just buy the drip pans they sell in the store and leave it on the bottom rack to catch drips-saves me lots of work.

[cdelena]

You can leave them in the oven but they will dull. The easiest way to clean them outside the oven is to use oven cleaner. I leave them in.

[Baltic_Celt]

I use Easy Off, but take my racks onto the deck & spray them on top of newspaper, leaving them outside overnight. I bring a basin of hot water & sponge outside the next day & wash them off, throwing the water down the drain & the sponge away. This way, there's no scrubbing.

A secondary, much more expensive way (but no fumes, inside or outside) is to make a paste with cream of tartar & vinegar. Cover with paste, wait 15-30 min, lightly clean with scouring pad & rinse. This is a great mixture for baked on stuff on the stove top or porcelain sink stains. (I use a hard plastic bread tie "thing" for stubborn spots without harming the surface.) It comes out spotless, but a bottle of COT is $5+ here & I go through it all in 1 shot.

Good luck... VV

[bibit612]

Thank you all for great suggestions! I used to do the oven cleaner on top of newspaper trick but couldn't do it in the winter...it's cooooold. I think I'll try the Greased Lightning first..I believe a small bottle is only about $3 from Lowe's or Target. And then I'll try the bubbly one if this is not sufficient. I hate this job more than ironing, and I already hate that with a passion!