Prevent Oven Racks From Getting Stuck With A Kitchen Essential

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There's one kitchen appliance we all know and love: The oven. Capable of cooking everything from Great British Bakeoff-worthy cakes to frozen orange chicken, ovens are an easy way to whip up something delicious. But after a while, it may get harder and harder to pull the oven racks out so you can safely remove your latest creation. No, you don't need a fancy lubricant, new racks, or even a new oven. The solution? A touch of vegetable oil.

Why do oven racks get stuck in the first place? It often boils down to two reasons — either grime buildup or if you left the racks in place when using the self-cleaning function. (That's why one of the first precautions to take when self-cleaning your oven is to remove the racks.) Vegetable oil's natural ability to handle heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and characteristic slickness is a simple way to slide your oven racks in and out, no pulling or shoving (or cursing) required.

Before you grab the bottle of oil, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, this trick only works on flat oven racks. Any kind of specialty oven rack, like ones with rollers or extension slides, will need a special lubricant. Check your oven's manual for more details. Second, while any oil with a high smoke point will technically work, vegetable oil is the only one that won't stain or leave grime behind on the racks or oven walls.

Flat oven rack? Check. Bottle of vegetable oil? Check. Then start by removing the rack from the oven and laying it on a flat surface. Dab a little oil on a paper towel or clean rag, and apply a light coat to the short edges of the rack. Wipe away any excess oil and watch how easily the rack slides back in. "Light" is the key word here; too much oil could drip and potentially cause your oven to smoke or even catch fire. One simple yet important precaution to prevent oven fires in your home is to have a Class K fire extinguisher on hand, like the Kidde kitchen fire extinguisher, which is specifically designed to tackle grease and oil fires.

You don't have to lubricate your oven's racks very often. The best rule of thumb is to do so whenever you feel like they need a little more muscle to remove. It may also be worth adding a light layer after you clean your oven to add some extra smoothness.