Originally Created on: September 11, 2022 @ 4:46 am
Oven racks usually get dirty and may need a little scrubbing without raising a finger. That begs the question: Can you put oven racks in the dishwasher?
Most oven racks are stainless steel and quite a breeze to clean. Besides, they aren’t susceptible to scratching like other metals, including aluminum and copper. Given the dishwasher’s excessive water pressure and movement, it’s often valid to question if washing them in this machine is prudent. Most people would instead hand wash them to prevent scratches. But, the dishwasher can be handy.
In this article, we will dive deeper into this topic and help shed light on whether oven racks are dishwasher safe or not. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Content
Can You Put Oven Racks in the Dishwasher?
Oven racks are dishwasher-safe and don’t tarnish or get bruised when washing them. However, they must properly fit inside without obstructing the dishwasher’s rotating spray arm and possibly damaging it. Most oven racks are expansive, and some may not fit in the dishwasher. In such cases, handwashing can be more practical, although removing the elbow grease is more tedious.
Usually, the grease that forms from baking your meats and veggies creates a stubborn coating. That makes it necessary to put your oven racks on a heavy-duty cycle if they’re too greased since this dirt tends to resist the lighter wash cycles when using dishwashers. It can make cleaning your oven racks somewhat unsuitable and infeasible, and perhaps, handwashing can be more practical.
When Not To Use Dishwasher to Clean Your Oven Racks
The only reasons your dishwasher may not cut it when cleaning your oven racks include when:
Your Oven Racks Are More Expansive
Most ovens are huge, and their racks can be way bigger for dishwashers. However, a few smaller ones can fit inside, and washing can be much easier.
Your Oven Racks Have Baked-On Grime
Unlike the dirt in other dishes that are a breeze to dislodge, it’s not usually the case with oven racks. The slime usually dries with the heat and becomes somewhat permanent and challenging to remove. Perhaps prior soaking can loosen the dirt and ease your cleaning in this case.
Your Oven Racks Require Chemical Cleaning Agents
Sometimes, cleaning oven racks may require chemical treatment to decontaminate them. Substances like ammonia are typical in chemical cleaning and may not be suitable for dishwashers. If so, handwashing your oven racks can be your possible option.
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Can You Use Dishwasher Pods to Clean Oven Racks?
You can clean your oven racks using dishwasher pods since they’re perfect detergents that remove sticky grime more efficiently. You can use these pods the same way you would while cleaning your dishes, and it’ll guarantee similar –or even better – results.
These pods contain fast-dissolving Polyvinyl alcohol and create a proper foam that’s abrasive enough to dislodge tough grime. That way, it minimizes the chances of having to scrub the racks and remove the lumps of clogs that build up over time. However, you must ensure that the dispenser door isn’t blocked and the circulation pump isn’t faulty for the pods to work efficiently.
If your oven rack is incredibly grimy, you should worry about it coming out as long as you use the best dishwasher pod. Remember that these pods act as a detergent and a scoring pad and have the propensity to remove tough dirt. Therefore, you can drop just a single one or perhaps two pods which can be sufficient to leave your oven racks sparkly.
How Do You Clean Oven Racks in the Dishwasher?
It’s a no-brainer that fitting your oven racks in the dishwasher can be a challenge, thanks to their enormous sizes. So, how do you clean oven racks in the dishwasher in the first place? The best way to place them inside is by tilting them at an angle that allows their lengths to fit properly. And although it’s still possible to remove the rotating spray for more space, you should leave it intact and unobstructed.
If possible, please remove any gunk or material that can be hard to remove using the dishwasher. You can set the dishwasher at standard or super cycle and give it sufficient time to clean up. However, the heavy cycle is usually the best since removing baked-on grime can be challenging.
Remember that it takes more than using a dishwasher to remove the baked-on grime on your oven racks. In that case, thorough soaking and handwashing can be more feasible options. Moreover, handwashing can be more practical if your oven racks need chemical treatments.
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What Is the Easiest Way to Clean Oven Racks?
Numerous cleaning methods exist, but what is the easiest way to clean oven racks? Using dishwashers makes cleaning your oven rack quite a five-finger exercise since you don’t have to scrub them. However, a few other ways that involve handwashing can still be pretty easy if you use artificial cleaners and proper cleaning procedures.
One conventional and not-so-challenging method of cleaning your oven racks includes using vinegar and baking soda. Of course, you need a large bowl with sufficient water to create proper foam and some scrubbing materials. Warm water can be ideal for this method since it makes the detergent more abrasive.
You can also use commercial oven rack cleaners to tidy them up without too much effort. The glad tiding is that you’ll always find your perfect commercial oven rack cleaner since numerous companies manufacture them. Cleaning using these products involves spraying the racks, brushing, and rinsing them. While using these products, you should be more careful to avoid damaging your oven’s stainless steel surfaces.
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Conclusion
Keeping your oven racks clean has its profound benefits, and one of them is to make subsequent cleaning much easier. Also, clean oven racks eliminate the chance of bacteria that breed in grime, especially if you don’t frequently use your oven. But one question remains: can you put oven racks in the dishwasher?
The good thing is that cleaning your oven racks in the dishwasher is possible. However, it can be challenging if the racks are oversized and hardly fit inside. For the racks that don’t fit in dishwashers, washing them by hand can be the only feasible option.