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Ovens are great for whipping up all kinds of yummy treats, but over time, those oven racks can get super stubborn and tough to pull out. No need to stress though, there’s a simple fix – just a little bit of vegetable oil is all you need to get your racks sliding smoothly again.
Oven racks can get stuck for a couple reasons – either grime builds up, or leaving them in during the self-cleaning cycle. But vegetable oil is a super easy solution. Its high heat tolerance and slippery properties make it perfect for lubricating those racks so they glide right in and out, no more wrestling required.
A dab of vegetable oil makes your oven racks slide easier
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Just remember, this trick only works on flat oven racks – any racks with rollers or extension slides need a special lubricant, so check your oven manual. And while other oils might work, vegetable oil is best since it won’t leave behind any stains or grime.
To use, take the rack out and give the short edges a light coating of vegetable oil with a paper towel or rag. Wipe off any excess – you don’t want too much oil dripping around. Then pop the rack back in and voila, smooth sliding action! Just remember to keep a Class K fire extinguisher handy, just in case. And you may want to give the racks a quick oiling after cleaning the oven too, to keep them gliding effortlessly.
