I should probably post this under disasters because that is what pushed me over the edge into having to clean the oven. I put too much batter in a new pan and it cooked over in the oven. What a big, smoky, smelly mess!! I have a self-cleaning oven so I have that going now but you have to take the racks out.

Does anyone know a good way to clean the oven racks?

Thanks,
Cindy

Try easy off oven cleaner...it pretty much takes off anything. hope this helps!

You could also use an SOS or Brillo pad.

This has always worked so wonderfully for me. Put your oven racks in a thick black trash bag. Then put in 1 cup of ammonia. Tie the bag off very well, so fumes don't escape and leave the bag in the garage or on the back porch overnite. In the morning you can wipe them clean with a sponge, It's fantastic!

I do what Misdawn does! It works like a charm! It's also great for doing your grill racks on your outdoor barbeque.

Just wanted to warn anyone who isn't used to using amonia to BE CAREFUL! If you have any allergies/sensitivites/asthma, do not use amonia.

Can you tell I use fume-free Easy Off?

..I line my counter with a large trash bag and then lay the rack on that and spray with the Oven Cleaner. Let it sit for a few hours and presto...rinse clean!!

Thanks everyone. I will let you know what happens.

Cindy

This may be a stupid question -- why do you have to take your oven racks out? I have a self cleaning oven and never take the racks out. Is this per the manufacturer?

I think taking out the racks depends on your oven. My mom always left hers in the oven, so when they built a new house she didn't think twice about leaving them in. The new oven warped the racks when she left them in there.

WOW! Well, they haven't warped yet and I've had the oven almost 1 year now and I've cleaned it quite a few times. Guess it depends on the oven. My mom has always left hers in, too.

my mom leaves hers in too..i guess it depends on the oven...they should have disposeable racks..lol

In our case--Maytag, Hotpoint, & GE--the manuals all said leaving racks in the oven during self-cleaning cycle would discolor the racks.