Last Updated on July 20, 2023 by Lori Walker
Aluminum foil is undoubtedly a helpful kitchen tool, but I bet we can all relate to the same struggle when it leaves behind stubborn residue in our ovens.
Maintaining a clean oven, especially after every use, is challenging, so we’ve done the research and cleaning tests to bring you the best oven cleaner to remove aluminum foil.
Read on and say goodbye to pesky aluminum residue headaches!
Top 10 Most Effective Oven Cleaners to Remove Aluminum Foil
1. Easy Off
Average Price: Roughly $4 to $12 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Easy Off Oven Cleaner is a game-changer due to its powerful cleaning formula. We’ve never had difficulty removing the melted aluminum foil, tough, baked-on grease, or food residue.
With minimal effort from spraying the can towards the aluminum, we could wipe it off easily with a paper towel.
This product is one of our favorites, whether we do a standing time of 30 seconds for spot cleaning or two hours for deep cleaning.
2. Over Cleaner
Average Price: Roughly $5 to $10 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: When eliminating the stains, residues, and aluminum in our ovens, cleaning products with the “oven cleaner” label are the first thing that comes to mind.
Oven Cleaner is effective, containing many chemicals that can penetrate rugged aluminum sticking on the bottom or sides of the oven.
However, as a standard practice, we scraped off as much aluminum as possible to make this cleaning method more effective.
3. Naval Jelly
Average Price: Roughly $11.78 to $19.08 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: The Naval Jelly method is another choice among meticulous oven owners. It is popularly known as a rust remover because it contains phosphoric acid and completely reacts with aluminum residue [1].
As we’ve tested it, we’ve witnessed how it dissolves aluminum effectively. We loved how it was efficient and convenient while requiring minimal effort.
The only drawback to this method is that it may leave small, shiny, dark spots underneath the aluminum. But what makes your oven smells like plastic?
4. GP 66
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: GP 66 contains a highly concentrated water-based formula to clean almost anything, including aluminum foil in ovens.
After we sprayed the cleaning solution and let it sit for a while, we noticed the aluminum residue softened and came off quickly when we wiped it.
In addition, to making the whole cleaning process a breeze, this product is safe to use in the oven, according to their official website.
5. Weiman Stove & Oven
Average Price: Roughly $17.96 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Weiman Stove & Oven is a 2-in-1 cleaner and degreaser and is one of the top choices for removing melted aluminum in under 10 minutes.
“I’m more like an oven than a microwave.”
— Erykah Badu, American Singer
It has a powerful yet gentle formula that effectively cuts through tough stains and residues without causing damage to the oven’s surface.
The smell is not too overpowering on our noses, and what we love most about this cleaning product is that it contains protective agents to resist rust from developing.
6. Fuller Brush Self-Scouring Oven Cleaner
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Fuller Brush Self-Scouring Oven Cleaner is another reliable choice most oven owners lean on.
It is specially formulated to dissolve and remove stubborn food stains and residues, including melted aluminum. Whether your oven is hot or cold, you can use this while being odor-free.
Though some considered it pricey, it gets the jobs done within just ten minutes—perfect if you want to save time and energy.
Also Read: How Does Oven Differ From Bread Maker?
7. Diversey CBD991206 Break-Up Professional Oven & Grill Cleaner
Average Price: Roughly $12.39 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Diversey CBD991206 Break-Up Professional Oven & Grill Cleaner offers an exceptional solution, combining powerful ingredients to clean anything.
From our experience, it has a citrus-like scent and works best if you leave the spritz on the stuck-on aluminum for at least an hour.
Afterward, every grease, stain, or aluminum will come off quickly when wiped.
8. Member’s Mark Oven, Grill & Fryer Cleaner
Average Price: Roughly $21.00 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Member’s Mark Oven, Grill & Fryer Cleaner is a professional-grade cleaner that’s ready to use after opening.
It is designed to easily clean tough residue, saving you time and effort, and is recommended for use in commercial food service settings using non-painted hard metal surfaces.
After we applied the product to the area where the aluminum was sticking, it began to break down several minutes later, and we could easily wipe it off.
9. Scrub Free Oven Cleaner
Average Price: Roughly $11.99 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: Scrub Free Oven Cleaner is an environmentally-friendly solution that’s safe to use on self-cleaning ovens.
Its advanced formula penetrates deep into grease and grime, breaking down the toughest baked-on messes with ease.
After we sprayed it onto the affected areas, we let it sit for a few minutes, and the residue was wiped away easily with our damp cloth.
10. Baking Soda + Vinegar
Average Price: Roughly $10.00 to $20.00 (Amazon)
Why We Like It: If you want to avoid buying cleaning products, stick to the traditional homemade solution, which combines baking soda and vinegar.
“When faced with stubborn foil residue, let the gentle power of the finest oven cleaner unveil the shine beneath, restoring aluminum’s brilliance with effortless precision.”
– Leonelli Bakery
While it may require a lot of work, from creating the solution and soaking a cotton towel to turning on the oven, it is still a proven, effective method most oven owners do.
However, do not forget to neutralize the acid in the vinegar with the baking soda; otherwise, applied areas in your oven with this solution will lead to corrosion [2].
Also Read: 9 Simple Ways To Clean Oven Glass Without Baking Soda
FAQs
Is melted aluminum foil toxic?
The melted aluminum foil itself is not considered toxic. While it is true that sometimes it leaches into food and then enhances its aluminum content, it is not enough to develop cancer or neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Can I still use my oven with melted aluminum foil?
You can still use the oven even with the melted aluminum foil. However, since it is an excellent heat conductor, it may eventually cause fire, depending on its set temperature.
It’s always best practice to clean your oven after every use to avoid safety hazards. Find out if you can put aluminum foil in the oven without a pan here.
How to remove burnt aluminum foil in the oven?
You can use your preferred oven cleaner to remove the burnt aluminum foil in the oven. Remember to have good ventilation and wear the proper safety equipment when dealing with the chemical solution.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to removing melted aluminum foil residue, choosing the right oven cleaner is crucial. You must consider the effectiveness, ease of use, cleaning time, and more.
Nonetheless, Easy Off consistently emerges as our best option due to its powerful cleaning action, user-friendly application, safety features, and versatility.
With this, you can confidently eliminate any stubborn stain, grease, or melted aluminum in no time and restore your oven’s cleanliness to its original state.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/aluminum-foil
- https://sciencing.com/what-chemicals-rust-metal-rapidly-12731440.html
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