Cleaning the oven is one of those chores everyone dreads — the smell, the scrubbing, the endless elbow grease. But Nana’s clever little trick changes everything. Her secret? No harsh chemicals, no fancy gadgets — just three simple items you already have in your kitchen:
a dishwashing pod, a heatproof casserole dish, and water.
Here’s how she does it.
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F (93°C). While it warms up, fill your casserole dish with water and drop in the dishwashing pod. Then, place the dish on the middle rack and close the door.
As the oven gently steams for about an hour, magic happens — well, science actually. The steam softens baked-on grime, while the pod’s enzymes get to work breaking down grease and residue. When time’s up, turn off the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then grab a damp cloth and simply wipe away the mess. You’ll be amazed how easily the dirt lifts off — no scrubbing marathon required.
Got a few stubborn spots? A soft brush or a quick repeat of the process will take care of those, too.
This simple method is non-toxic, family-safe, and surprisingly effective. No fumes, no chemical burns — just a cleaner, fresher oven. Use Nana’s trick once a month, and you’ll keep buildup at bay, improve your cooking results, and even lower the risk of grease fires.
In the end, Nana was right (as always): sometimes, the simplest solutions really are the best. By letting heat and steam do the hard work, you save time, protect your hands, and keep your kitchen sparkling — all in under 90 minutes.
So next time your oven looks like a disaster zone, skip the chemical cleaners. Follow Nana’s way — gentle, practical, and brilliantly effective.
