Two Stainless Steel Oven Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid

26 January 2016
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If you have recently purchased a brand new Thermador stainless steel oven for your home, then you are probably looking forward to using the professional style oven as soon as possible. When using the oven, you will undoubtedly spill some food on both the inside and outside. However, you will need to make sure that you do not make a cleaning mistake as you go to scrub away the debris. This can leave you with a damaged oven soon after it is installed. If you want to avoid this, then keep reading to learn about some mistakes to avoid.

Cleaning With Chlorine Bleach Or Other Strong Chemicals

Many people purchase stainless steel appliances not only for their look, but because they are durable as well. Stainless steel contains some chromium metal to aid in the strength and corrosion resistance of the steel. This helps to prevent rust, but corrosion can form as the outside of the metal forms micro-pitting. These small holes or openings in the stainless steel allow water to penetrate the protective coating, and small pinpointed rust spots will start to appear. These pits can develop if the stainless steel is placed in a highly acidic or basic environment. This means that you should not use strong chemicals to clean the front, sides, and top of your oven. Make sure to stay away from things like ammonia and vinegar. It is especially important to avoid the use of chlorine bleach or any other chlorine based product. Chlorine, along with bromine, iodine, and fluorine, can cause the widespread breakdown of the protective film on the outside of the steel. 

Instead of using chemicals to clean the oven, use dish soap and warm water. When cleaning, use a soft cotton cloth instead of a scrub brush to prevent scratches. Start at the top of the stove and work downward when cleaning to keep water spots and residue from forming. If you notice stuck-on food on the stove, then use a non-abrasive powder and a sponge to remove it. Varieties that contain calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate are good choices. Also, when you are done cleaning, spray some silicone spray like WD-40 along the surface of the oven. Use a cotton cloth to buff the metal afterwards. Not only will the spray help to create a shine across your oven, but it will also help to reduce corrosion.

Allowing Water To Dry

If you have hard water where you live, then your water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. Cooking with water in pot and pans is common, and some of this water is likely to end up on your stainless steel stove. Unfortunately, your hard water can cause stains to appear on the metal if you allow it to sit on the stove and dry naturally. This can be easily avoided by wiping down your stove when you are done cooking. You also should use your stove ventilation hood to keep condensation at bay.

If you do allow water to dry and water spots form on the stainless steel, then place several drops of alcohol on the spot to dissolve the minerals. Wipe the area with a rag afterwards. If the stain remains, then use a mild abrasive cleaner to help release the stain. Mix about one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water to create a paste. Use a rag to clean the area in a circular motion. Alternately, you can use a gel cleaner like the ones marketed for use in your bathroom. These cleaners are meant to scrub porcelain bathtubs, sinks, and floors without etching or scratching the surfaces. This means that the product is safe for your stainless steel stove as well. As a last resort, place several drops of vinegar on the stain for five minutes to dissolve the minerals. Rinse the area with water afterwards though to reduce pitting concerns. 

For more maintenance and cleaning tips, talk with the stainless steel appliance supplier, such as Gringer & Sons Inc.