So it is that time of the year again, the holiday season and with it comes the busiest time for your Camden apartment’s stove and oven, so what do you do to keep it all warm and cozy with all the overtime use? Here are a few tips to help you keep them running without any issues. Not all stoves/ovens are equal; however, some general tips would apply to all of them.

The best way to help your stove/oven reach old age is to keep it clean; nothing will be more beneficial for your appliance than to keep it nice and tidy. Here is how:

1. Establish a cleaning routine (AND STICK TO IT): Make this your new stove/oven motto: wipe daily, scrub monthly and deep clean twice a year, or you can create your own schedule depending on how much you use it. The most important thing is to do it! A great plan is nothing without execution.

2. The fast prevents the furious: Clean spills right away. Cleaning spills as they happen, will prevent them from drying up and becoming tougher to clean. This also will prevent corrosion on your stove, fire hazards and bacteria from growing.

3. The forgotten, the hood and vent: when cleaning the stove usually the hood or vent is overlooked, this is a big mistake. Clean it at least monthly; this will help the hood or vent to work better and prevent grease, dust, and splashing food residues from accumulating up there and then, over time, dripping on the food you are cooking.

Camden Long Meadow Farms kitchen. Photo courtesy of Camden

4. The unusual suspects: What are the best products for cleaning your stove/oven? The ones that are hard enough to take the dirt away but soft enough not to damage your stove; stay away from detergents and coarse cleaners like the ones used on showers. For your glass top, you can use a glass stove top cleaner paste, or you can use a paste of baking soda mixed with water. For your electrical or gas burners, you can use dish soap and vinegar to achieve exceptional cleanliness. You can use the same products for your oven, and it will keep it in excellent condition.

5. Self-help is useful occasionally: If your oven has a self-cleaning oven feature, it is amazing to use it sporadically and follow the manual instructions. When using the self-cleaning option, your oven is brought to temperatures of 400 to 600 degrees, to break or burn the toughest dirt, so if used too frequently and without hands-on cleaning, it can damage your oven.

Clean stove. Photo courtesy of Camden

6. The big no, no’s, what to avoid: First don’t use metal wool, hard sponges, or metal brushes to clean your stove and oven since they can scratch the finish of your appliance. Also, avoid cleaning your stove when the burners are still hot; it can damage your stove, or you can get injured. Finally, don’t use glass cleaner to clean your stove; it may contain ammonia or other chemicals that can stay on your stove and get released later as vapors and gases when the burners get on.

7. Prevention is the best medicine: Periodically check your burners. If it’s a gas stove, make sure that the lines are not clogged, and the flame is even all around. If it’s electric, make sure that the elements are in good shape and coming on evenly. Also, once a year, if you feel comfortable doing it, check your electrical or gas lines and make sure they are in good shape, if you don’t feel up to the challenge, then your Camden Technicians (link to Camden Maintenance) can do it for you.

Camden Doral Kitchen. Photo Courtesy of Camden

8. Big water is a big no, no: When cleaning your stove, remember not to pour water directly onto the appliance. In electrical stoves, it can cause a short circuit or zap you with an electrical shock. The gas lines may rust and eventually leak natural gas, which is flammable and toxic.

9. Be prepared: Always pay attention to the stove when you are cooking, and never leave pots or pans on the stove and leave the room. In case of a fire, have a plan beforehand; never try to extinguish a cooking fire with water or flour. The best way to deal with a fire is to have a fire extinguisher available or, if possible, turn off the stove and bring the pot or pan to the by the handle with an oven glove.

Thanksgiving feast. Photo courtesy of Camden

In conclusion, the best way to keep your stove, oven, and hood going and going is to keep it clean and safe around it. Use the appropriate cleaning products and techniques and give the appliance a periodic inspection and maintenance. Remember to always ask our Camden maintenance team to help if any issues arise. Use these tips, and you won’t have any problems keeping your stove hot and ready for the holiday season