It sounds like a mistake: putting water in the oven on purpose. Yet a cleaning trick shared by the Norwegian news site Dagens does exactly that, and US appliance makers describe the same idea in their own cleaning guides. Two glasses of water, a closed door and a little heat do a good part of the scrubbing for you.
In short
- “Two glasses” is a measure: about 2 cups of water, poured into an oven-safe dish.
- The heat turns the water into steam, which softens baked-on grease.
- Whirlpool’s version: 450°F for 20 minutes, then let the oven cool completely before wiping.
- Never pour the water straight onto the oven floor unless your oven’s steam cycle calls for it.
What it’s for
Dagens describes the method: pour about two glasses of warm water, roughly 400 to 500 ml (about 2 cups), into an ovenproof dish, then heat the oven to 212 to 250°F for 20 to 30 minutes with the door closed. The goal isn’t to cook anything, only to fill the oven with moisture. Once the oven has cooled to a safe temperature, the softened grease wipes off with a soft microfiber cloth or a sponge. Despite the “overnight” promise in its headline, the method itself takes about half an hour, plus the time the oven needs to cool down.
Why steam works
Splatters of fat bake onto the walls and the glass every time you roast something. Dry heat makes them harder; steam does the opposite. Whirlpool explains that its ovens with a built-in steam-clean option use about a cup of water, which the oven heats “to turn the water into steam and help soften the residue.” The two glasses of water simply recreate that cycle in any oven.
The US version, step by step
For ovens without a steam cycle, Whirlpool suggests this DIY method:
- Take out the racks and accessories, and wipe away loose crumbs once the oven is cold.
- Fill an oven-safe pot or bowl with no more than about 2 cups of distilled or filtered water, which avoids water spots and mineral deposits.
- Place it on a rack in the lowest position, and run the oven at 450°F for 20 minutes. For extra cleaning power, Whirlpool says you can add white vinegar.
- Let the oven cool completely before opening it to wipe.
- Wipe the inside with a wet rag or sponge. On stubborn spots, use a non-abrasive pad, moistened first.
Both versions rely on the same principle: the lower European setting is gentler, the US one produces more steam.
The limit
Steam softens grease, but it won’t dissolve years of carbonized buildup in one go: you may need to repeat it, or tackle the worst spots by hand. Use a heat-resistant glass or ceramic dish, never a drinking glass. Dagens warns against pouring water directly onto the oven floor and against splashing cold water on a hot glass door, which can crack it. Avoid metal scrubbers, which leave micro-scratches. If your oven has catalytic liners, a self-cleaning cycle or its own steam program, follow the manufacturer’s instructions first.
The oven door hides grime between its panes: here’s what an old sock slid into the oven door is for. Before your next batch of cookies, check the one paper you should never put in the oven. And for greasy pans, try this baking soda, dish soap and sugar paste.
Two glasses of water, twenty minutes and a cloth. That’s the trick.
