My Nana’s Effortless Trick for Sparkling Oven Racks (No Scrubbing Required!)

Let’s face it—nobody wakes up on a Saturday morning excited to tackle the inside of their oven. Cleaning out baked-on, greasy oven racks? I’d put that somewhere between getting a root canal and cleaning under the refrigerator (just being honest here). If you’re like me, you probably take one look at those crusty racks and think, “Nope, not today,” and promptly shut the oven door, hoping maybe the grime will just vanish on its own. Spoiler: it never does.

But I promise, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

The kitchen’s always been where the stories happen in my house. It’s where birthday pancakes were flipped at sunrise, where dinners drew everyone back home (even the ones who thought they had better things to do), and where you just couldn’t escape the scent of fresh bread or something bubbling away on the stove. My Nana—bless her—ran her kitchen like a beloved old Chevy: dependable, welcoming, a tad loud, and always sparkling.

I’d watch her whip up a feast and somehow have every surface gleaming before the last spoonful of pudding hit the dessert bowls. As a kid, it seemed like pure magic. Turns out, it was really just a handful of simple, time-tested tricks. And the one she taught me for oven racks? Oh, friend—it changed everything.

The Dreaded Oven Rack Dilemma

If your oven racks look like they’ve seen one too many cookouts—dripping in mysterious grease and covered in charred gunk—you are not alone (trust me, I’ve been there, more than once). That pile-up does not just surrender to a soapy sponge swipe. Most of us believe we need a hazmat suit, a wire brush, and the patience of a saint to get through it.

But what if I told you that you could make those racks shine again—seriously, shine—with absolutely no scrubbing and not a single harsh chemical in sight?

That’s what Nana showed me one blustery December when she was prepping for Christmas baking. I peeked in her oven and grimaced. “Nana, this thing could use a good scrubbing,” I muttered, dreading the elbow grease I assumed was coming. She just grinned, squeezed my hand, and winked, “Let me show you a little secret.”

What You’ll Need

You likely have every single thing on this list already—no fancy sprays, no pricey potions, nothing you’ll need to order online. You just need:

• A bathtub (or if you’re guarding your tub, a large plastic bin does the job just as well—ask me how I know!)

• Hot water

• Just one dishwasher tablet

That’s it, honest. One little dishwasher tablet does all the heavy lifting. Wild, right?

I know you might be raising an eyebrow thinking, How in the world can a dishwasher tablet tackle THIS mess? Hang tight. You’re about to see why it works so well.

The No-Scrub, No-Stress Cleaning Method

Step 1: Remove the Racks

First things first—make sure your oven is off and those racks are cool to the touch (I know, it’s tempting to rush, but burnt fingers aren’t worth it!). Slide out the racks and walk them over to your tub or soaking spot.

Little tip from my daughter, who lives in a rental with a clawfoot tub: line your tub with an old towel so you don’t have to worry about scratches. She does this every time, and it saves her those “oops” moments that could cost her the deposit.

Step 2: Prep Your Tub

Lay those racks flat along the bottom of your bathtub or bin. Just make sure your tub is big enough for them to be fully covered by water. If any bits are sticking out, they’ll miss out on all the cleaning magic, and no one wants a rack with a stripe of leftover grime down the middle (ask me how I know…again).

Step 3: Add Hot Water

Now, fill the tub with the hottest tap water you can manage. Don’t skimp on the heat—you want it piping so it can soften and loosen all that stubborn goo. If your hot water cools off fast, boil a kettle or two and pour it in for a little extra punch.

This step is a big part of why you won’t need to scrub. The hot soak just kind of melts all the yuck away before you even start.

Step 4: Drop In the Dishwasher Tablet

Here comes the fun: toss that dishwasher tablet right into the water. You’ll probably see a bit of fizz (always makes me smile). The tablet breaks down, sending all those powerful grease-fighting ingredients swirling through the water, doing what they do best—breaking down tough kitchen messes. You can use powder, gel, or solid tabs, but I find those compact solid tablets seem to hold up best and dissolve the slowest in the hot water, so you get a longer clean.

Step 5: Walk Away

Seriously—step away from the tub.

Let those racks soak overnight. Don’t peek, don’t poke, don’t swirl them around. Just walk away and enjoy your evening—binge that comforting old sitcom or bake something sweet, or take a long soak for yourself. I promise, the magic is happening while you’re off relaxing.

That dishwasher tablet works hard through the night, so you don’t have to. Cleaning while you sleep is pretty much the dream, isn’t it?

Step 6: Rinse and Revel

In the morning (with a cup of coffee in hand, if you’re anything like me), head back to the bathroom. Gently lift the racks out of the water, and you’ll see—the gunk practically slides off. Give them a quick once-over with a soft sponge if you feel like it, but honestly, most of the hard work is already done for you. Then, dry them off with a clean dish towel, slide them right back in the oven, and just admire that sparkle.

It’s the kind of “before and after” that makes you want to show off your oven when friends come over. (No shame—sometimes I do!)

Why This Works (A Little Kitchen Chemistry)

Dishwasher tablets were built for exactly the sort of battle you find on oven racks—nasty, baked-on oils, and grimy leftovers. The combo of enzymes, surfactants, and gentle abrasives in those tablets chases away stubborn dirt without eating up your metal, so they’re safe on oven racks and even your delicate china—or at least, they’ve never let me down.

Soaking overnight just gives those ingredients time to really do their thing. There’s a quiet kind of satisfaction in letting time (and a little science) do all the heavy lifting for you.

Bonus Tips from Nana’s Book

• Don’t rush the soak: I know you’ll want to peek, but just let it ride overnight. Trust me, patience is the secret ingredient.

• Put on gloves: An old pair of dish gloves will save your skin from feeling dry. Those tablets can get a little rough if you have sensitive hands (been there…twice).

• Keep a rag handy: Drips happen when you’re carrying racks back and forth from the tub, especially early in the morning when your arms aren’t really awake.

• If you want to tackle the whole oven at once, grab a little baking soda and vinegar. Make a paste, slather it inside, and watch it fizz. It’s weirdly fun—and really works on the inside doors.

Small Job, Big Payoff

A shiny oven might not top your bucket list, but there’s just something heartwarming about opening up those doors and seeing everything gleaming. Food comes out tasting like it should, your kitchen smells fresher, and honestly, it’s one less thing lurking on your mental to-do list. That little moment of peace is worth more than you’d think.

This shortcut? To me, it’s less about saving a few minutes and more about giving yourself back some energy—and probably your good mood, too. Let the dish tablet do its thing while you rest or do something—anything—other than scrubbing and breathing in those fumes. I’d call that a win every single time.

So please, give Nana’s trick a spin—you might just end up passing it along yourself someday, like I did with my daughter when she got her first place.

And when you’re tackling that casserole dish that decided to weld itself to the pan, pop it in the dishwasher and send out a little wink to Nana. She’d get a kick out of it.

Did this tip help you out? If it did, send it to a friend who dreads cleaning day as much as you do. And if you try it, I really want to hear all about it—let me know how it worked at your house! My coffee mug and I are all ears.