How to Clean a Countertop Pizza Oven
Recommended picks
What You Need Before You Start
Gather a few basics: a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, a small bowl of warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and baking soda for stubborn spots. Avoid steel wool, abrasive scrubbers, or anything with bleach. If your oven has a nonstick ceramic cooking plate, like the Presto 03430 (rated 4.7 stars across more than 20,000 reviews), harsh abrasives will scratch the coating and shorten its life. Keep a dry towel nearby so you can fully dry the interior before plugging back in.
Cleaning the Cooking Plate or Stone
The cooking plate takes the most punishment. For nonstick or ceramic plates, wipe with a damp sponge and a small drop of dish soap, then rinse the sponge and wipe again to remove soap residue. For baked-on cheese or sauce, make a paste with baking soda and water, spread it on the stain, wait 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Stainless steel surfaces, such as those on the Goplus pizza oven (stainless steel finish, 4.1 stars), can tolerate a little more scrubbing pressure but still benefit from a soft cloth to avoid surface marks. Never submerge the cooking plate in water unless the manual specifically says it is dishwasher safe.
Wiping Down the Interior Walls and Lid
Grease splatters on the interior walls are common after multiple uses. Use a cloth dampened with soapy water and wring it out well so it is barely moist. Work your way around the walls and the inside of the lid, paying attention to any areas where cheese or oil has pooled. For metal housing, a second pass with a plain damp cloth removes soap film. The Chefman RJ58-EM-CONCRETE pizza oven (metal and plastic body, 4.5 stars, 1,619 reviews, $39.96) is a good example of a unit with both metal and plastic sections, so check which material you are wiping before adding any stronger cleaners. Plastic panels can discolor with harsh chemicals.
Cleaning the Exterior Housing
The outer shell picks up grease over time, especially around the knobs and vents. Wipe with a cloth barely dampened with soapy water, then follow with a dry cloth. Knob controls, which appear on most models in this category, can trap grease in the gaps around the base. Use a cotton swab to reach those tight spots. For stainless steel exteriors, wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks. Avoid spraying any liquid directly at the oven since moisture can get into vents and damage the heating element.
Handling Grease Drip Trays and Removable Parts
Some countertop pizza ovens include a drip tray or crumb catcher. Remove it after every few uses and wash it with warm soapy water in the sink. If the tray has baked-on grease, soak it for 15 minutes before scrubbing. Dry it fully before putting it back. If your model does not have a removable tray, tilt the cooled oven gently over the sink to shake out crumbs before wiping the floor of the cavity. Never tip the oven while it still has any electrical components that could be exposed to water.
How Often to Clean and When to Do a Deep Clean
Wipe the cooking plate and interior after every use, even if it just looks dusty. A light wipe now prevents carbon buildup that is much harder to remove later. Do a full clean of the interior walls, lid, and exterior every three to five uses, or any time you see visible grease on the walls. If you notice smoke during preheating, that is usually a sign that grease has built up on the heating element or interior, and a deep clean is overdue. Keeping a regular routine protects the oven's finish and keeps food from picking up off flavors from old residue.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cleaning the oven while it is still warm or hot, which risks burns and can damage coatings.
- Using steel wool or abrasive pads on nonstick or ceramic cooking plates, which scratches the surface.
- Spraying water or cleaner directly into vents or at electrical components.
- Submerging the cooking plate or body in water without checking if the manual permits it.
- Leaving soap residue on the cooking plate, which can transfer to food on the next use.
- Skipping the dry step after cleaning, which can cause rust on metal parts or damage internal wiring.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put the cooking plate in the dishwasher?
Most countertop pizza oven cooking plates are not dishwasher safe unless the manual explicitly says so. The heat and detergent in a dishwasher can strip nonstick coatings and warp thinner metal plates. Check your model's manual first. When in doubt, hand wash with warm soapy water.
How do I remove burnt cheese from a nonstick cooking plate?
Let the plate cool fully, then spread a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water over the burnt spot. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the residue. Wipe away with a soft damp sponge. Avoid scraping with metal utensils or harsh pads, which will scratch the nonstick surface and shorten the plate's life.
My pizza oven smells like burning when I turn it on. What should I do?
A burning smell is usually grease or food residue on the heating element or interior walls cooking off. Unplug the oven and let it cool completely, then do a thorough wipe-down of the interior. If the smell continues after cleaning, check for any visible buildup near the heating coil and remove it carefully with a dry cloth. Contact the manufacturer if the smell persists after cleaning.
Is it safe to use vinegar to clean a pizza oven?
A diluted white vinegar solution, roughly one part vinegar to two parts water, is safe for most stainless steel and metal exteriors. Avoid using it on nonstick or ceramic surfaces repeatedly because the acidity can gradually degrade the coating. For most cleaning jobs, warm soapy water and baking soda are the better choice.
How do I clean the heating element?
Never touch the heating element with a wet cloth or spray it with any liquid. Once the oven is cool and unplugged, use a dry cloth or a dry soft brush to gently remove any loose crumbs or debris near the element. If there is baked-on residue directly on the coil, a dry toothbrush can help dislodge it. Moisture near the element can cause electrical damage or a short.