Deep Clean Your Oven with Seltzer & Salt: A Pizza Place's Secret

Updated at: 04/02/2025

Is your oven looking more "well-loved" than sparkling clean? That stubborn baked-on grease and grime can feel like a never-ending battle, leaving you dreading the chore of oven cleaning. But what if we told you there's a surprisingly simple, yet incredibly effective, method used by pizza places to conquer even the most challenging oven messes? Forget harsh chemicals and strenuous scrubbing; this secret weapon involves just two common household ingredients: seltzer water and salt. This surprisingly effective combination cuts through grease and grime with remarkable ease, leaving your oven gleaming without the need for harsh chemicals.

Forget expensive oven cleaners and hours of scrubbing; we're about to reveal the pizza place's secret to a sparkling clean oven. This foolproof method, using only seltzer and salt, will transform your grimy oven into a pristine culinary workspace. Ready to discover the magic? Let's dive into the step-by-step guide below and experience the incredible cleaning power of this simple, yet surprisingly effective, technique.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
Safety Guidelines
  • Always unplug your oven before cleaning to prevent electric shock.
  • Avoid scratching the oven's interior with abrasive tools. Use soft cloths or sponges.
  • Ventilation is key! Open windows or turn on a fan to dissipate fumes from the seltzer and cleaning process.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Initial Cleaning

    • Scrape out loose debris from the oven.
    • Give the oven a quick scrub to remove any remaining loose particles.
    Give the oven a quick scrub to remove any remaining loose particles.Give the oven a quick scrub to remove any remaining loose particles.
    Initial Cleaning

  2. Apply Seltzer and Salt

    • Pour a generous amount of seltzer water into the oven. Observe the chemical reaction (bubbling).
    • Sprinkle a good amount of salt over the wet oven surfaces. (Be cautious, as the mixture may splatter when applied).
    Sprinkle a good amount of salt over the wet oven surfaces. (Be cautious, as the mixture may splatter when applied).Sprinkle a good amount of salt over the wet oven surfaces. (Be cautious, as the mixture may splatter when applied).
    Apply Seltzer and Salt

  3. Dwelling Time

    • Let the mixture sit for approximately five minutes.
    Let the mixture sit for approximately five minutes.
    Dwelling Time

  4. Final Scrape and Clean

    • Use your scraper to remove the loosened grease and grime, moving it towards the front of the oven.
    Use your scraper to remove the loosened grease and grime, moving it towards the front of the oven.
    Final Scrape and Clean

Read more: Mastering the Uuni Koda 16 Pizza Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Pizza

Tips

  • Cleaning your oven 2-3 times a week prevents build-up and keeps food from sticking.
  • A clean oven is especially helpful when making pizzas with many toppings to avoid tears or sticking.
  • Be careful when applying the salt and seltzer water mixture, as it can splatter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too little seltzer or salt

Reason: Insufficient cleaning agents won't effectively loosen baked-on food particles.
Solution: Generously apply a thick layer of seltzer-soaked salt to ensure thorough coverage and effective cleaning.

2. Not letting the mixture sit long enough

Reason: The seltzer and salt need time to penetrate and break down the grime.
Solution: Allow the seltzer-salt mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for heavily soiled ovens.

FAQs

Does this method work on all oven types?
While this seltzer and salt method works well on many ovens, it's best for ovens with relatively light, baked-on food residue. Heavily soiled ovens or those with self-cleaning functions may require a more aggressive cleaning approach. Always check your oven's manual for specific cleaning instructions.