Kitchen 101: How to Clean a Halogen Oven

Halogen ovens are compact, easy to use and very quick to cook with. They are also simple to maintain, provided you know how to clean a halogen oven. Given their complex electrical systems, you should make sure that you know what you are doing before you start cleaning, or you could permanently damage your oven.

If you are new to halogen cooking and haven’t yet gotten around to giving your oven its first full clean, this guide will explain all you need to know about cleaning your halogen oven.

Steps to Cleaning Your Halogen Oven

Make sure that you get your halogen oven squeaky clean and up to the most exacting hygiene standards with our step-by-step cleaning process. Ready? Let’s get started. 

Step 1: Utilise the Self Cleaning Function

Most models have a self cleaner mode to make cleaning the bowl and lid much easier without the risk of exposing the electrical parts or internal equipment to excessive amounts of warm water.

If your halogen oven hasn’t been used a lot or doesn’t really need a thorough clean, you might not need to do anything other than run its self-cleaning function. However, if your halogen oven has any stubborn stains or is due a full clean, you’ll need to continue and complete all four steps in this guide. 

The self-cleaning feature on halogen ovens is more of a handy maintenance option to prolong the number of uses between full cleans rather than an automated cleaning solution. So run it often, but don’t expect the wash setting to fully replace manually cleaning your halogen oven. 

Take a glass bowl, pour five centimetres of hot water into it, then place it inside your halogen oven and turn on the self-cleaning feature. After 10 minutes, switch off your oven’s wash setting and allow it to cool sufficiently before removing the glass bowl and disposing of the water. You may need some oven gloves to handle it.

Pro-Tip:

Make sure that you do not use more than five centimetres of water when using your oven’s self-cleaning function. Otherwise, it could bubble over and out of the glass bowl when your oven heats up.

Step 2: Clean the Interior

If your halogen cooker is due for a full clean or has stuck-on stains from your chicken roast, you’ll need to apply some elbow grease and clean it by hand. The self-cleaning program will have already helped to loosen any baked-on food. Now, it’s time to remove it entirely.

Start by unplugging the power cable, then place the lid to one side to avoid exposing it to any excess water. Once your oven has cooled down after the self-cleaning stage, you can get started with cleaning the interior. Use a soft cloth, hot water, and some mild washing up liquid to gently rub the inside of your halogen oven. If your oven’s interior is really dirty, it can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. You may want to wash it out completely in a sink of warm soapy water. Rinse clean, then leave your oven bowl to air dry or use a clean cloth to ensure a streak-free finish. 

Most halogen oven bowls and their metal rack can also go in your dishwasher, but make sure to check if it is dishwasher-safe before doing so. 

Pro-Tip:

Avoid using any scrubbing brushes or harsh chemicals to clean your halogen oven’s bowl. Doing so could scratch the surface and damage your oven.

Step 3: Clean the Halogen Lid

Anyone know how the hell you're supposed to clean halogen oven tops? pic.twitter.com/KQyAZdGpig

— bingobangobongo (@BanguFGC) March 24, 2020

Now it’s time to get your halogen oven’s lid clean. This step is perhaps the most delicate part of the whole operation. The lid is where all the electrical components and the heating element are housed, so you must pay close attention to the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. 

As halogen oven lids are prone to splashes and dirt build-up, some models now feature removable electrics and heating elements. Detaching these water-sensitive parts allow you to easily clean the lid thoroughly in your dishwasher or sink. As always, if you are doing this for the first time, double-check your oven’s instruction manual for guidance.

If your halogen oven lid does not have removable electrical components, then you will have to be careful and wipe it clean with a soft cloth or a damp sponge. You may also use a mild kitchen cleaning spray or a mild detergent for a more thorough clean. Remember to remove any outstanding dirt or cleaner, then leave your oven lid to dry thoroughly. 

Pro-Tip:

It is essential that you ensure that your detachable oven lid is completely dry before reinserting the heating element. Even a small amount of water could permanently damage your halogen oven, so be careful.

Step 4: Clean the Exterior

Keep your halogen oven looking good by making sure you regularly clean its exterior. Aside from drips and spills that can occur during use, your oven’s exterior can also gather dust if it is left sitting out without regular use. Your oven may also get food splatters and stains from food preparation or other appliances.

Use a mild kitchen cleaning spray and wipe your oven’s exterior with a soft cloth. Don’t forget to also clean underneath your halogen oven with kitchen spray. Use a clean cloth or a paper towel to dry it for a streak-free finish.

Pro-Tip:

You’ll probably want to give your halogen oven exterior a quick wipe every couple of days if you have it sitting out on your kitchen worktop. Make sure you avoid using any abrasive cleaners to keep your halogen cooker looking new.

Squeaky Clean

Properly cleaning your halogen oven is essential to ensuring its longevity and functionality. While most halogen ovens have a self-cleaning mode, this is seldom enough to thoroughly clean your oven all over.

By now, you should know how to clean a halogen oven, so it’s time to get to work. Given their compact size and smooth finish, you’ll have your halogen oven looking new next time you want to have some chips.

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