Your oven is one of your most-used kitchen appliances. Most of us use it every day. So, it's important to keep it in top shape to ensure you get the longest life out of this hard-working appliance. Regularly maintaining your oven will help to extend its life and keep it functioning correctly. We have collected our top tips for keeping your appliance clean and what you can do to keep your oven running at its best.

Some ovens come with build-in cleaning functionality. This can be in the form of cleaning programmes or special linings to make the job a little easier.

Pyrocleanis the ultimate in oven cleaning technology. This takes all the hard work out of keeping your oven clean. Simply turn on the pyroclean cycle and let the appliance work its magic. All you need to do it wait for the timer to go off and wipe away the ash residue. This is particularly handy for anyone who uses the grill in their oven or does a lot of baking and roasting. You'll never have to worry about overflowing casseroles or spitting bacon slices again! The pyroclean function can increase the initial cost of your machine but you'll never need to get your oven professionally cleaned and you'll save hours of scrubbing time. So, if you can manage to fit a pyroclean model into your budget this would be our top recommendation.  

Catalytic liners can be found on the sides and sometimes the bottom of your oven. They work while you are using the oven at high temperatures to self-clean. You just need to give the inside of the oven a wipe down after use. If you do opt for catalytic liners then try to go for a model which has the technology at the bottom of the oven also or you'll spend your time scrubbing to remove any spilt food!    

Many ovens come with double or triple glazed glass doors. This minimises heat transfer to make it safer in your kitchen, but it can also make it easier to keep clean. Some ovens will have removable glass which can make it easier to clean as you can easily access the edges and leave it to soak in hot water if required. The best way to remove brown food stains from oven glass is to mix a solution of baking soda and water to create a paste. Cover the glass in your paste and leave to soak in for 15-20 minutes or overnight if the stains are very stubborn. Wipe away the residue with warm water. If there are any remaining stains add more paste and repeat until clean.    

Remove the racks from your oven and brush off any loose dirt and grime. If the racks are not particularly dirty then you can soak them in hot water and soapfor 10-15 minutes and wash as normal. If you have burnt food or stubborn dirt you can use a wire brush and apply some of your baking soda paste. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes and use the wire brush to remove any stubborn dirt. Rinse in hot water and ensure all the baking soda paste has been removed before placing back in your oven.  

Oven trays are everyone's nightmare kitchen chore. If you have ever an over bubbled casserole, a spilled crumble or a Sunday roast then you may be familiar with the dreaded clean-up after. Some oven trays are dishwasher safe but your stainsmay be too stubborn for your normal dishwasher cycle. Try soaking your dishes in hot water for 10 minutes before you attempt to remove the stains. A wire brush can be very useful but do not use it on a non-stick tray as it can remove the non-stick coating and damage your tray.

How often you clean your oven will vary depending on how frequently you use it, the type of cooking you do and what method you use to keep your appliance clean. If you have a pyrocleanappliance you may not need to run a full pyroclean cycle every time your oven needs a clean. Sometimes a quick wipe down will tackle most of the dirt and debris. On average, a full pyroclean function is required every 8-12 weeks or so. If you aim to wipe down your oven once a week or after any minor spills or drips, you'll reduce the number of times a year you will need to deep clean the appliance.  

You can opt for a store-bought oven cleaner or use some products which you may have at home already to clean the inside of your oven. Baking soda, water and vinegaris a good base for an oven cleaner. Just be sure to give it plenty of time to soak in. Remove the racks and leave these to soak in hot water and vinegar. Spread the baking soda and water mix inside the oven cavity and leave for 12 hours. You should also use protective gloves and safety glasses if you are using any corrosive substances. The store-bought cleaners can be very effective, but you should be sure to wear protective gear as they often have very harsh chemicals in them. ­ ­ Always be sure to check the oven's manual just in case the manufacturer recommends avoiding certain substances. Using the wrong types of cleaners can cause damage to your appliance so always be sure to check the instruction manual first.  

Check out the full range of ovens here, from an Irish brand you can trust.