Keep Food from Dripping in Your Oven

Meal preparation is a messy venture for even the most experienced cooks, and the last thing you want to do is add more cleanup to the end of your meal. Once your food has been placed in the oven and the timer is set, you can get to work tackling the countertops and dishes, but if you're not careful you may have a much larger and even less pleasant chore to contend with cleaning the oven. As your main course or dessert continues to bake there are a number of things that can go wrong, from grease spatters to overflows, any of which can lead to unpleasant odors, a smoke-filled kitchen, or even an oven fire. Here are some great tips from the experts at Mr. Appliance® which can help prevent these and other common oven issues, and allow your food to be the star of the show.

Tips to Prevent Oven Spills

Cleaning the oven ranks among the most unpleasant of household chores, and one of the most difficult. You can help to keep your oven cleaner for longer by preventing food from dripping, with these tips.

Take Cover

Any dish that contains animal fat such as meat, cheese, or butter will vaporize as the food continues to cook, creating a fine mist containing both water and grease. This mist can land on the supporting racks, oven floor, or side walls, and in addition to the mess this process creates, it can also dry out your food. Both of these issues can be prevented by covering your dish with a lid or a layer of aluminum foil.

Catch Oven Spills

As your food bakes water and grease are released, and in large enough quantities can cause your baking dish or pan to overflow. As soon as the excess liquid hits the bottom of the oven it begins to burn, causing an unpleasant odor and/or smoke. You can avoid this problem by placing another oven-safe container such as a baking sheet (lined with aluminum foil for easy cleaning) underneath the container or on the rack below your dish to catch any drips or spills.

Use a Bag

Roasting bags can be used to cook most types of fish, meats, and vegetables and help to contain the mess inside your oven while keeping your food flavorful and juicy.

Oven Fire Causes and Prevention

Most house fires begin in the kitchen, either from the stovetop or oven. Oven fires can happen for a variety of reasons whether due to the method of cooking, the overall condition of the appliance, or the cleanliness of the oven interior—and almost all are preventable.

Causes

• Improper usage - Your oven is intended to bake, broil, and reheat food items using oven-safe containers. Placing the wrong type of materials in your oven or using it for anything other than cooking (such as heating your home or storage) can result in disastrous consequences.
• Inadequate maintenance - Over time, grease and food particles can build up on the oven walls, racks, and floor, and in sufficient enough quantities may ignite when heated.
• Appliance malfunction - An appliance that is old, poorly maintained, or damaged can be dangerous to operate. If you see sparks from your electric oven or suspect a leak from your gas stove discontinue use immediately and call Mr. Appliance for repair.

Prevention

• Never leave food unattended.
• Clean your oven on a regular basis.
• Before turning the oven on, check the bottom for loose debris and remove it.
• Have the professionals at Mr. Appliance inspect your stove to ensure it is in good working order.

Over Repair and Service When You Need It

Mr. Appliance is here for all your oven repair and maintenance needs. Contact your local team or schedule online today!